A rather unorthodox ransomware variation has been reported to use the notorious program WinRar to archive and lock the users’ files using a password. The virus demands users to contact Realxakepok@bigmir.net e-mail address in order to restore their files. The cyber-criminals behind the e-mail address will most likely provide instructions for making a ransom payoff which may be in BTC or other cryptocurrency. Users are stongly advised not to give themselves into the demands of the cybercrook(s) behind the ransomware and try alternative methods for free to revert their files after removing the virus with an advanced anti-malware program.
Threat Summary
| Name | Realxakepok |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware locks files with a password and uses a strong algorithm to lock the password in a key.txt file. |
| Symptoms | All files are in a .RAR file extension. A pop-up appears with ransom instructions when WinRar is Opened. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss zCrypt Ransomware. |
| 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. |
Realxakepok Ransomware – Ways It Spreads
Realxakepok is believed to be spread on individual machines, instead of organizations. This automatically suggests that the ransomware may use campaigns to massively be spread across potential victim PCs. Some of the most well-known massive methods for spreading malware are:
- Via spam e-mail attachments.
- By using malicious URLs featured in such spam mails or anywhere on the web.
- By uploading fake executables in websites disguised as legitimate software providing ones.
- Via adware or other unwanted programs.
After the user opens up such malicious file or a web link, Realxakepok may use an Exploit Kit, JavaScript or a drive-by down load of a Trojan which opens a port and gets the malicious files to infect users.
Realxakepok Ransomware – Technical Overview
After a successful infection, the ransomware drops several .bat files on the compromised PC:
- MY.BAT
- MY.BAT3
- MY.BAT4
These files are reported by malware analysts on security forums to start the following processes in Windows Task Manager:
- cwp
- chaekgrewege
Realxakepok ransomware also creates the following files:
→ C:/Program Files/ Chaekgrewege/chaekgrewegeverifierService.html5
C:/Program Files/Chaekgrewege/ chaekgrewegeverifierTask.exe
In addition to that, Realxakepok ransomware virus makes different registry values in relation to chaekgrewege files.
After this is done, the file-locking process begins. Realxakepok uses WinRar to archive oftenly used types of files, for example:
→ “PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG” Source:fileinfo.com
After this is done, the ransomware wants a password everytime the user tries to open the files. In addition to the password, Realxakepok also has specific and serious demands that appear in a pop-up type of WinRar window:
→ “All your valuable files are archived indefinitely using
program WinRar.
Password for the archive was generated randomly
and encrypted algorithm used in the military sphere.
This means that no one in the world can not help you
to receive a password, except for me. I’m not the
one who receives money and disappears. In this
case, you will get your 100% data back, but there
is little time restriction on a valid password, so
postpone and believe in miracles not worth it.
Your encrypted password stored on the disk
c: \ key.txt or folder c: \ windows \ key.txt.
It should be sent to e-mail realxakepok@bigmir.net
and discuss payment method
Price password is symbolic twenty five euros.” Source: Bleeping Computer
After this is done, the ransomware saves a file, named “key.txt” which contains the password in an encoded format with one of the following encryption algorithms:
- Base64
- XOR
- RSA
- DH
- AES
So far it is not clear what the password is, however the ransom e-mail address realxakepok@bigmir.net is also associated with other cyber-threat which is a screenlocker type. The password of the other cyber-threat is believed to be “iamsorrygoodluck”.
Remove Realxakepok Ransomware Virus and Try Reverting The Files
Since this virus creates multiple files and registry entries you can use the information in this article in combination with the removal instructions to manually find them and delete them in safe mode after stopping them from Windows Task Manager as a process (if they are still running). However, for maximum effectiveness, cyber-security experts advise users to use a more automatic approach when removing data. It includes installing an advanced anti-malware tool which will find every single object created or modified by Realxakepok ransomware on your computer.
To restore your files, you may have couple of free options left. Since Realxakepok virus has not been reported to delete backups and shadow volume copies you may want to try and follow the instructions in step “3.Restore files encrypted by Realxakepok Ransomware” below. Other options which may work for you is by downloading a WinRar bruteforce password cracker and make a password list of different letter combination, but it is a time costly process. The final solution may be to purchase WinRar and contact the program’s support for assistance.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for Realxakepok with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Realxakepok and related malware 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Realxakepok 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 Realxakepok there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Realxakepok
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Realxakepok.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and Realxakepok 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.
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.
Realxakepok-FAQ
What is Realxakepok Ransomware?
Realxakepok 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 algorithms 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.
What Does Realxakepok Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does Realxakepok Infect?
Via several ways.Realxakepok Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, 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.
Another way you may become a victim of Realxakepok 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 .Realxakepok files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Realxakepok files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Realxakepok files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Realxakepok" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Realxakepok files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of Realxakepok Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate Realxakepok ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Realxakepok files.
Can I 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.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can Realxakepok Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the Realxakepok Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Realxakepok 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 Realxakepok 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.
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.