Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Random6 and other threats.
Threats such as Random6 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
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article aims to help you remove the newly detected Random6 ransomware dropping “RESTORE-{random 6 characters}-FILES.txt” ransom note and show how you can get your files back.
A new ransomware virus known as Random6, because it uses six random characters for file extension and unique identification has been detected by researcher Marcelo Rivero (@MarceloRivero). The virus uses multiple different tactics to slither itself onto the computers of victims after which encrypt them files and deny the user from opening them unless a ransom is paid. In the event that your computer has been infected by the Random6 ransomware virus, we recommend that you read the following material.
Threat Summary
Name
Random6
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
Random6 encrypts the files, making them non-openable. The virus then drops a ransom note asking money to be paid to get them back.
Symptoms
Files are encrypted with an added 6 character file extension to them.
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.
Random6 Ransomware – Distribution Methods
Since Random6 was detected to attack both companies and individual victims, the virus may be spread in more than one methods. One of those methods is reported to be via e-mail spam messages that carry malicious e-mail attachments in them. Such e-mails often pose as legitimate e-mails and their newest form includes carrying malicious Microsoft Word documents which infect your computer as soon as you click on the “Enable Content” button which triggers macros.
Other methods by which an infection with Random6 can take place is if the malicious files are downloaded via a fake web link posing as a legitimate button in the spam e-mail being sent, for example, the malicious spam below:
In addition to this, Random6 malicious files can also be uploaded online on torrent sites or suspicious software-providing sites. The virus may pretend to be a fake installer, fraudulent program activator or other key generators or license makers.
Random6 – More Information
As soon as it has infected your computer, Random6 ransomware aims to drop malicious files on multiple different Windows locations. The files may be under different, often random names, for example:
PIC
After the files are dropped on the computer the Random6 virus may create registry entries in the Run and RunOnce keys for the malicious file that is responsible for the file encryption process. These sub-keys of the Windows Registry Editor are located in the following places:
In addition to this activity, the Random6 ransomware virus also aims to perform other activities on the compromised computer among which may be the deletion of all the shadow volume copies as well as backups on the infected computer. This is achievable in Command Prompt via the bcedit and vssadmin commands when the virus runs them as an administrator without the user noticing:
Among the malicious activities of Random6 ransomware is to drop it’s ransom note, named “RESTORE-{random 6 characters}-FILES.txt”. It has the following message for the victims of this virus:
“Your files are Encrypted! For decryption send letter on email [email protected] in letter attach your Personal ID. If email don’t works, register here: http://bitmsg.me, send letter to BM-N8azNh9xNVf2$gvav8pc3Uc9CCXtXMu With your Personal ID and email for contacts. After you send payment to given BTC adress in answer, you will get your files restored. Your Personal ID:”
Random6 – Encryption Process
After Random6 infects your computer and triggers the malicious file which is responsible for encryption, it immediately attacks your documents, photos, music, videos, archives and other types of files. Among the file extensions targeted by Random6 may be many, for example:
After the encryption process by Random6 has completed, the files can no longer be opened. They are added a random file extension with 6 characters and it is the same for every file and the ransom note as well. The may look like the following:
Remove Random6 Ransomware and Restore Your Files
After the Random6 ransomware has infected your computer, the first action you must perform is to extract the encrypted files away from your computer (backup).
Then you can continue removing the malicious objects which Random6 creates on your computer. One method to do this is to follow the removal instructions after this article. Since manual removal may prove to be tricky primarily because Random6 modifies multiple different types of objects in Windows which may be risky to remove, experts advise using a more automatic approach. A ransomware-specific anti-malware scanner is advisable to be used in order to get rid of the malicious objects and settings changed by Random6 ransomware on your computer and protect it in the future as well.
If you are looking for a method to restore your files after you have removed Random6 ransomware, we have several alternative suggestions for you in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Random6”. They are a good temporary solution until malware researchers release a decryptor for this virus with which you can directly decrypt all files for free. Furthermore, bear in mind to use those methods at your own risk and always to backup the encrypted files and try the methods on copies of them instead.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Random6 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 Random6. 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 Random6 follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Random6 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 Random6 on your PC
Find files created by Random6
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 Random6 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Random6 and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Random6. 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 Random6
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Random6
Ransomware infections and Random6 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:
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article aims to help you remove the newly detected Random6 ransomware dropping “RESTORE-{random 6 characters}-FILES.txt” ransom note and show how you can get your files back.
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 Random6 and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
