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. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, File Sharing Networks |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss R980. |
| Data Recovery Tool | 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.
Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
About the R980 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this R980 how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the R980 ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1. How to Recognize Spam Emails with Ransomware
2. How Does Ransomware Encryption Work?
3. How to Decrypt Ransomware Files
4. Ransomware Getting Greedier and Bigger, Attacks Increase by 40%
5. 1 in 5 Americans Victim of Ransomware
How to Remove R980 from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove R980
1. Hold Windows Key + R.
2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.
3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Uninstall R980 and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.
3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by R980 on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by R980 there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", 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.
Step 4: Scan for R980 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. 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.
Video Guide for Automatic and Fast Removal
Step 5 (Optional): 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 a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Step 6: How to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomware (Video Guide)
Get rid of R980 from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall R980 and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to R980:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to R980. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash
”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to R980. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove R980 via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as R980. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): 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 a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
R980 FAQ
What is R980 ransomware and how does it work?
R980 is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does R980 ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.R980 Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of R980 is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .R980 files?
You can't. At this point the .R980 files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .R980 files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by R980 ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".R980" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .R980 files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of R980 ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate R980 ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .R980 files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like R980 ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer. Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
- Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
- United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
- United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
- Italy - Polizia Di Stato
- Spain - Policía Nacional
- Netherlands - Politie
- Poland - Policja
- Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
- Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
- India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
- Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
