Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Note! Your computer might be affected by R980 and other threats.
Threats such as R980 may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
R980 is a ransomware virus, which encrypts databases, documents, photos and other files. It wants half a Bitcoin as a ransom payment, which amounts to nearly 330 US dollars. The files get encrypted with AES 256-bit and RSA4096 encryption algorithms according to the ransom message. To remove the ransomware and see how you can try to restore your files, you should read the article carefully.
Threat Summary
Name
R980
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
The ransomware encrypts your files, using AES 256-bit and RSA4096 encryption combined. Afterward, it shows you a ransom message
Symptoms
The ransomware encrypts your files, while randomizing their names with different letters and symbols. It gives details on how to pay the ransom and asks for 330 US dollars as payment.
Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive.
R980 Ransomware – Distribution
R980 ransomware could be distributed with the help of spam emails. Such emails often try reaching as many people as possible and try to infect their computer. The message found in the body of the email tries to convince users to open a link or an attachment. Opening the attachment activates the malicious payload or downloads a malware file. The file associated with this ransomware virus is called f.exe. A security researcher with a twitter handle @Bartblaze has found that the email service Mailinator.com was used for sending a decrypter. The same service might be used as an entry point for the virus. Do not open any emails which seem suspicious.
Another possible distribution method for the R980 ransomware could be social media and file-sharing networks. This type of networks is what cyber crooks also use to spread their ransomware further and compromise computers on a larger scale. A message could come with the file claiming that is a useful program. Avoiding the infection is manageable if you are very careful with files, especially if they have an unknown origin or try to push free software which has an official site.
R980 Ransomware – Details
R980 ransomware is new, and it still might be in its test period, but has been spotted in the wild by the malware researcher Jaromir Horejsi. It is believed that the address from where it came from might be responsible for compromising computer systems and namely bookmyroom(.)pk.
R980 ransomware was intended as some kind of a project and has the following files on the above-mentioned website associated with it (as Horejsi has found):
bootstrap-timepicker.css
bootstrap-timepicker.js
bootstrap-timepicker.min.css
bootstrap-timepicker.min.js
db.txt
f.exe
keys.txt
x.php
As mentioned above, the f.exe executable file is the one that delivers the payload and does the damage. After file encryption you will see the following ransom note as an image:
You can see the full ransom message with complete instructions in a text file. Here is how that file looks like:
The file is called DECRYPTION INSTRUCTIONS.txt and it reads:
!!!! ATTENTION !!!! YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED! !!!!
ALL of your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted with AES – 256 and RSA4096.You will not be able to recover your files without the private key which has been saved on our server.An antivirus can not recover your files. hxxps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Encryption_Standard HOW TO GET YOUR FILES BACK: To decrypt your files you have to pay .5 Bitcoins (BTC). How to make payment? 1. Firstly, you have to buy Bitcoins (BTC). You can buy Bitcoins easily at the following site (you can skip this step if you already have Bitcoins). https://www.coinbase.com/ https://coincafe.com/ https://bitquick.co/ 2. Send .5 BTC to the following Bitcoin address – You don’t have to send the exact amount above. You have to send at least this amount for our systems to confirm payment. BITCOIN ADDRESS: 1NXYHuHdM8WBHBBRbxQbXQ9L3ry2radGgr 3. Once you have paid to the above Bitcoin address we will give you a link to a decrypter that will fix your files. It will be sent to a public email account we have created for you: https://www.mailinator.com/inbox2.jsp?public_to=8569402d-3a74-4f27-91ba-d6408e0ff8fe Please wait up to 24 hours for your decrypter to arrive.
From the note it becomes apparent that the ransom money which R980 asks as payment is 0.5 BitCoins or in the range of 330 US dollars.
Despite the sum of money that is asked, it is NOT advised to pay the ransom. Even if you manage to contact the cyber crooks you might not get your files back. Paying only supports owners of the ransomware and motivates them to continue doing this. Keep reading, to find out how you can try to recover your files.
The ransomware encrypts files and puts random letters and symbols as their names. For the encryption process, the AES 256-bit and RSA4096 algorithms are used, at least according to the ransom note.
File types that get encrypted by R980 ransomware are ones which people usually use the most:
Databases
Documents
Photos
Other important files
You can see that the R980 ransomware is detected by security software already, if you check the VirusTotal website:
R980 ransomware is not known if it deletes the Shadow Volume Copies of the Windows operating system. Read on below to find out a few methods you can try to recover your files.
Remove R980 Ransomware and Restore Encrypted Files
If your computer system is infected with the R980 ransomware, you should have some experience with removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware before it infects somebody else on the network you use. The recommended action for you is to read the step-by-step instructions manual provided below, remove the ransomware efficiently and see if you can restore your files.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by R980 and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as R980. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove R980 follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove R980 files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by R980 on your PC
Find files created by R980
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
IMPORTANT! Before starting the Automatic Removal below, please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode. This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove R980 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for R980 and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove R980. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by R980
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by R980
Ransomware infections and R980 aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for R980 and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
