A new ransomware has been reported to cause devastation and problems to the user. The crypto-malware uses scraped ransom messages from other notorious ransomware, such as CryptoWall 3.0. It arrives via other malware on the user’s computer and once executed it performs several different activities on it which include encrypting the files of the user.
| Name | Surprise Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | Infects the user via a downloader Trojan and encrypts his/her files asking for ransom payment in Bitcoin for the decryption of the data. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness his files being encrypted with the .surpise file extension plus DECRYPTION_HOWTO.Notepad file created on the Desktop. |
| Distribution Method | Via malicious web links or dangerous e-mail attachments. |
| Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
| User Experience | Join our forum to discuss Surprise 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. |
Surprise Ransomware – Spread
The ransomware has been reported by users on security forums, to be spread via a Trojan.Downloader. Such trojan may be posted as a malicious email attachments in a spam message. One user has detected a file, named surprise.exe which after uploaded to VirusTotal displays the following detections:
This is most likely a downloader which has obfuscation to avoid detection from some anti-malware programs with real-time protection.
Surprise Ransomware In Detail
Once the ransomware is on the computer it may be executed via the following files on the user PC:
- C:\User\LOCAL\Temp\surprise.exe.config
- C:\User\LOCAL\Temp\surprise.exe
- C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\mscorwks.dll
Source: Malwr.com
After this, the ransomware may begin to scan for and encrypt the user’s files. A malware researcher, named Demonslay335 at BleepingComputer forums has reported that Surprise ransomware scans for and encrypts the following file extensions:
→ “.asf”, “.pdf”, “.xls”, “.docx”, “.xlsx”, “.mp3”, “.waw”, “.jpg”, “.jpeg”, “.txt”, “.rtf”, “.doc”, “.rar”, “.zip”, “.psd”, “.tif”, “.wma”, “.gif”, “.bmp”, “.ppt”, “.pptx”, “.docm”, “.xlsm”, “.pps”, “.ppsx”, “.ppd”, “.eps”, “.png”, “.ace”, “.djvu”, “.tar”, “.cdr”, “.max”, “.wmv”, “.avi”, “.wav”, “.mp4”, “.pdd”, “.php”, “.aac”, “.ac3”, “.amf”, “.amr”, “.dwg”, “.dxf”, “.accdb”, “.mod”, “.tax2013”, “.tax2014”, “.oga”, “.ogg”, “.pbf”, “.ra”, “.raw”, “.saf”, “.val”, “.wave”, “.wow”, “.wpk”, “.3g2”, “.3gp”, “.3gp2”, “.3mm”, “.amx”, “.avs”, “.bik”, “.dir”, “.divx”, “.dvx”, “.evo”, “.flv”, “.qtq”, “.tch”, “.rts”, “.rum”, “.rv”, “.scn”, “.srt”, “.stx”, “.svi”, “.swf”, “.trp”, “.vdo”, “.wm”, “.wmd”, “.wmmp”, “.wmx”, “.wvx”, “.xvid”, “.3d”, “.3d4”, “.3df8”, “.pbs”, “.adi”, “.ais”, “.amu”, “.arr”, “.bmc”, “.bmf”, “.cag”, “.cam”, “.dng”, “.ink”, “.jif”, “.jiff”, “.jpc”, “.jpf”, “.jpw”, “.mag”, “.mic”, “.mip”, “.msp”, “.nav”, “.ncd”, “.odc”, “.odi”, “.opf”, “.qif”, “.xwd”, “.abw”, “.act”, “.adt”, “.aim”, “.ans”, “.asc”, “.ase”, “.bdp”, “.bdr”, “.bib”, “.boc”, “.crd”, “.diz”, “.dot”, “.dotm”, “.dotx”, “.dvi”, “.dxe”, “.mlx”, “.err”, “.euc”, “.faq”, “.fdr”, “.fds”, “.gthr”, “.idx”, “.kwd”, “.lp2”, “.ltr”, “.man”, “.mbox”, “.msg”, “.nfo”, “.now”, “.odm”, “.oft”, “.pwi”, “.rng”, “.rtx”, “.run”, “.ssa”, “.text”, “.unx”, “.wbk”, “.wsh”, “.7z”, “.arc”, “.ari”, “.arj”, “.car”, “.cbr”, “.cbz”, “.gz”, “.gzig”, “.jgz”, “.pak”, “.pcv”, “.puz”, “.rev”, “.sdn”, “.sen”, “.sfs”, “.sfx”, “.sh”, “.shar”, “.shr”, “.sqx”, “.tbz2”, “.tg”, “.tlz”, “.vsi”, “.wad”, “.war”, “.xpi”, “.z02”, “.z04”, “.zap”, “.zipx”, “.zoo”, “.ipa”, “.isu”, “.jar”, “.js”, “.udf”, “.adr”, “.ap”, “.aro”, “.asa”, “.ascx”, “.ashx”, “.asmx”, “.asp”, “.indd”, “.asr”, “.qbb”, “.bml”, “.cer”, “.cms”, “.crt”, “.dap”, “.htm”, “.moz”, “.svr”, “.url”, “.wdgt”, “.abk”, “.bic”, “.big”, “.blp”, “.bsp”, “.cgf”, “.chk”, “.col”, “.cty”, “.dem”, “.elf”, “.ff”, “.gam”, “.grf”, “.h3m”, “.h4r”, “.iwd”, “.ldb”, “.lgp”, “.lvl”, “.map”, “.md3”, “.mdl”, “.nds”, “.pbp”, “.ppf”, “.pwf”, “.pxp”, “.sad”, “.sav”, “.scm”, “.scx”, “.sdt”, “.spr”, “.sud”, “.uax”, “.umx”, “.unr”, “.uop”, “.usa”, “.usx”, “.ut2”, “.ut3”, “.utc”, “.utx”, “.uvx”, “.uxx”, “.vmf”, “.vtf”, “.w3g”, “.w3x”, “.wtd”, “.wtf”, “.ccd”, “.cd”, “.cso”, “.disk”, “.dmg”, “.dvd”, “.fcd”, “.flp”, “.img”, “.isz”, “.mdf”, “.mds”, “.nrg”, “.nri”, “.vcd”, “.vhd”, “.snp”, “.bkf”, “.ade”, “.adpb”, “.dic”, “.cch”, “.ctt”, “.dal”, “.ddc”, “.ddcx”, “.dex”, “.dif”, “.dii”, “.itdb”, “.itl”, “.kmz”, “.lcd”, “.lcf”, “.mbx”, “.mdn”, “.odf”, “.odp”, “.ods”, “.pab”, “.pkb”, “.pkh”, “.pot”, “.potx”, “.pptm”, “.psa”, “.qdf”, “.qel”, “.rgn”, “.rrt”, “.rsw”, “.rte”, “.sdb”, “.sdc”, “.sds”, “.sql”, “.stt”, “.tcx”, “.thmx”, “.txd”, “.txf”, “.upoi”, “.vmt”, “.wks”, “.wmdb”, “.xl”, “.xlc”, “.xlr”, “.xlsb”, “.xltx”, “.ltm”, “.xlwx”, “.mcd”, “.cap”, “.cc”, “.cod”, “.cp”, “.cpp”, “.cs”, “.csi”, “.dcp”, “.dcu”, “.dev”, “.dob”, “.dox”, “.dpk”, “.dpl”, “.dpr”, “.dsk”, “.dsp”, “.eql”, “.ex”, “.f90”, “.fla”, “.for”, “.fpp”, “.jav”, “.java”, “.lbi”, “.owl”, “.pl”, “.plc”, “.pli”, “.pm”, “.res”, “.rsrc”, “.so”, “.swd”, “.tpu”, “.tpx”, “.tu”, “.tur”, “.vc”, “.yab”, “.aip”, “.amxx”, “.ape”, “.api”, “.mxp”, “.oxt”, “.qpx”, “.qtr”, “.xla”, “.xlam”, “.xll”, “.xlv”, “.xpt”, “.cfg”, “.cwf”, “.dbb”, “.slt”, “.bp2”, “.bp3”, “.bpl”, “.clr”, “.dbx”, “.jc”, “.potm”, “.ppsm”, “.prc”, “.prt”, “.shw”, “.std”, “.ver”, “.wpl”, “.xlm”, “.yps”, “.1cd”, “.bck”, “.html”, “.bak”, “.odt”, “.pst”, “.log”, “.mpg”, “.mpeg”, “.odb”, “.wps”, “.xlk”, “.mdb”, “.dxg”, “.wpd”, “.wb2”, “.dbf”, “.ai”, “.3fr”, “.arw”, “.srf”, “.sr2”, “.bay”, “.crw”, “.cr2”, “.dcr”, “.kdc”, “.erf”, “.mef”, “.mrw”, “.nef”, “.nrw”, “.orf”, “.raf”, “.rwl”, “.rw2”, “.r3d”, “.ptx”, “.pef”, “.srw”, “.x3f”, “.der”, “.pem”, “.pfx”, “.p12”, “.p7b”, “.p7c”, “.jfif”, “.exif”, “.rar”
Source:BleepingComputer
The files are encrypted with two types of encryption algorithms to make the decryption even more impossible than it currently is – RSA-2048 and AES-256. Both of the algorithms are very difficult to decrypt because they are military-grade. After encryption, Surprise ransomware sets the .suprise file extension on the user PC, for example:
- Picture.jpg becomes Picture.jpg.surprise
Upon opening the encrypted files, the user may either encounter a message saying the file cannot be opened or the following Windows suggestion pop-up:
After encryption, the ransomware drops two notepad files that are called:
- DECRYPTION_HOWTO.Notepad
- Encrypted_Files.Notepad
These are the reported contents of the “DECRYPTION_HOWTO.Notepad” file:
→ What happened to your files ?
All of your files were protected by a strong encryption.
There is no way to decrypt your files without the key.
If your files not important for you just reinstall your system.
If your files is important just email us to discuss the price and how to decrypt your files.
You can email us to nowayout@protonmail.com and nowayout@sigaint.org
Write your Email to both email addresses PLS
We accept just BITCOIN if you dont know what it is just google it.
We will give instructions where and how you buy bitcoin in your country.
Price depends on how important your files and network is.it could be 0.5 bitcoin to 25 bitcoin.
You can send us a 1 encrypted file for decryption.
Feel free to email us with your country and computer name and username of the infected system.
As a bottom line, the ransomware can set up to 25 bitcoins for the user’s data which is approximately 10000 US dollars. It is advisable not to pay the ransom money due to several different reasons:
- You fund the cybercriminals to spread and develop this malware.
- You may not get your files back as promised.
Remove Surprise Ransomware and Restore Your Data
To successfully remove this ransomware, conventional approach simply won’t cut it. This is why we strongly advise you to follow the step-by-step removal manual which is designed methodologically for maximum effectiveness.
Regarding the recovery of your data, we advise you to do it from a powerful, safe PC. More information on recovery methods you may find in the “Restore Files” step below.
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.
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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.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Surprise Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Surprise Ransomware from Mac OS X.
How to Remove Surprise Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Surprise Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall Surprise Ransomware 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Surprise Ransomware 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 Surprise Ransomware 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: Scan for Surprise Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Surprise Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Surprise Ransomware 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of Surprise Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Surprise Ransomware 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:
- 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 Surprise Ransomware 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:
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 Surprise Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Surprise Ransomware 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Surprise Ransomware FAQ
What is Surprise Ransomware ransomware and how does it work?
Surprise Ransomware 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 Surprise Ransomware ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Surprise Ransomware 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 Surprise Ransomware 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 .Surprise Ransomware files?
You can't. At this point the .Surprise Ransomware 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 .Surprise Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Surprise Ransomware 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 ".Surprise Ransomware" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Surprise Ransomware 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 Surprise Ransomware 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 Surprise Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Surprise Ransomware files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Surprise Ransomware 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.
Estimado una computadora de mi trabajo se infecto con ese virus, existe alguna manera de poder desencriptar los archivos?. Como puedo saber si mi red esta infectada? y que antivirus y antimalware me recomendarias para colocar en las computadoras?. De antemano agradezco tu gentil ayuda.
Hello Xavier,
Can you check if your computer’s Remote Desktop Protocol / Remote Assistance is off? What you can do is turn off the Internet connection and check if other computers are infected. However, if no one has complained by now, it’s likely that only your computer got infected.
Have you removed the ransomware with an anti-malware program?
In terms of restoring your encrypted files – have a look at section 4 at the end of this article.