The 8Base virus falls within the ransomware type of malicious agent. Such malware ciphers all the data on your PC (photos, text files, excel sheets, music, videos, etc) and appends its own extension to every file, leaving the info.txt files in each directory containing encrypted files. This ransomware belongs to Phobos family.
What is 8Base Ransomware?
8Base Ransomware belongs to the Phobos ransomware family, and has been identified by our malware researchers during their investigation of recently uploaded malware samples on the VirusTotal. This malicious software is designed with the primary intent of encrypting files on the infected system. Additionally, 8base deploys two ransom notes (“info.hta” and “info.txt”) and alters filenames to further its malevolent objectives.
To carry out its encryption process, 8base appends the victim’s unique ID, support@rexsdata.pro email address, and the “.8base” extension to the original filenames. As an example, it transforms “1.jpg” into “1.jpg.id[0A4FDF4F-818E].[support@rexsdata.pro].8base“, and “2.doc” into “2.doc.id[0A4FDF4F-818E].[support@rexsdata.pro].8base“, and so on.
In each directory containing the encoded files, a info.txt file will appear. It is a ransom money memo. It contains information about the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other remarks. The ransom note most probably contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the tamperers. You can get this decryptor after contacting support@rexsdata.pro through email. That is basically the scheme of the malefaction.
8Base Ransomware Overview
Name | 8Base Ransomware |
Extension | .8base |
Family | Phobos |
Ransomware note | info.txt |
Contact | support@rexsdata.pro |
Detection | Win32.Virlock.Gen.4, NSIS/Injector.MK, Generic.Trojan.Malicious.DDS |
Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .8base extension and you can’t open them. |
Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by 8Base virus |
The info.txt document coming in package with the 8Base ransomware states the following:
!!!All of your files are encrypted!!! To decrypt them send e-mail to this address: support@rexsdata.pro. Write us to the Tox Messanger: 1167BDDAA32671D52932698FF508CF F194BF9E9B35E91BFBA7AD803C0A57EB41BB23880DD595
In the picture below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the 8Base looks like. Each filename has the “.8base” extension added to it.
How did my computer get infected with 8Base ransomware?
There are many possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most exploited methods for hackers to have the 8Base virus settled in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer-to-peer networks.
If you access your inbox and see letters that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, delivery agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is strange to you, be wary of opening those letters. They are most likely to have a viral item attached to them. Therefore, it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with letters like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan horse scheme. A Trojan is an object that gets into your machine disguised as something different. For example, you download an installer for some program you want or an update for some service. But what is unpacked turns out to be a harmful program that compromises your data. As the update wizard can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the source of the stuff you’re downloading. The best way is to use the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer-to-peer networks like torrents or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Web. You can never guess what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the folder containing the downloaded files with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is finished.
How to remove the 8Base ransomware?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the 8Base ransowmare will probably install Vidar Stealer on your machine to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned program can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Often criminals would decode few of your files so you know that they indeed have the decryption tool. Since 8Base virus is a relatively new ransomware, anti-malware developers have not yet found a way to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the decoding tools are frequently updated, so the solution may soon arrive.
Of course, if the malefactors do the job of encrypting victim’s critical files, the desperate person will probably comply with their demands. Nevertheless, paying a ransom does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your data back. It is still risky. After getting the ransom, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption key to the injured party. There were reports about criminals just vanishing after getting the money without even writing back.
The optimal countermeasure to ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud drive or at least on an external storage. Of course, that might be not enough. The most crucial thing could be that one you were working upon when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also reasonable to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the system is rolled back.
8Base is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. For instance, Miqe Virus, Mitu Virus, Miza Virus, and some others. The two main differences between them and the 8Baseare the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is the same: files become encoded, their extensions changed, ransom notes are created in each directory containing encrypted files.
Some lucky people were able to decrypt the arrested files with the help of the free tools provided by anti-ransomware specialists. Sometimes the racketeers mistakenly send the decoding key to the victims in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the user to restore the files. But of course, one should never expect such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a bandits’ instrument to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
Remove 8Base with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware
We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common Ransomware as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove 8Base as well as other malware hiding on your computer.
To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:
1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.
2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file.
3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.
4. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.
Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.
5. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.
6. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.
8. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.
Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.
Trojan Killer for “8Base” removal on locked PC
In situations where it becomes impossible to download antivirus applications directly onto the infected computer due to malware blocking access to websites, an alternative solution is to utilize the Trojan Killer application.
There is a really little number of security tools that are able to be set up on the USB drives, and antiviruses that can do so in most cases require to obtain quite an expensive license. For this instance, I can recommend you to use another solution of GridinSoft - Trojan Killer Portable. It has a 14-days cost-free trial mode that offers the entire features of the paid version. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.
Trojan Killer is a valuable tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping you to effectively remove malware from infected computers. Now, we will walk you through the process of using Trojan Killer from a USB flash drive to scan and remove malware on an infected PC. Remember, always obtain permission to scan and remove malware from a computer that you do not own.
Step 1: Download & Install Trojan Killer on a Clean Computer:
1. Go to the official GridinSoft website (gridinsoft.com) and download Trojan Killer to a computer that is not infected.
2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.
3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.
4. Once the installation is complete, launch Trojan Killer.
Step 2: Update Signature Databases:
5. After launching Trojan Killer, ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.
6. Click "Update" icon to download the latest signature databases, which will ensure the tool can detect the most recent threats.
Step 3: Scan the Infected PC:
7. Safely eject the USB flash drive from the clean computer.
8. Boot the infected computer to the Safe Mode.
9. Insert the USB flash drive.
10. Run tk.exe
11. Once the program is open, click on "Full Scan" to begin the malware scanning process.
Step 4: Remove Found Threats:
12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.
13. Click on "Cure PC!" to remove the identified malware from the infected PC.
14. Follow any additional on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer:
15. Once the threats are removed, click on "Restart PC" to reboot your computer.
16. Remove the USB flash drive from the infected computer.
Congratulations on effectively removing 8Base and the concealed threats from your computer! You can now have peace of mind, knowing that they won't resurface again. Thanks to Gridinsoft's capabilities and commitment to cybersecurity, your system is now protected.
FAQ
🤔 Are the “.8base” files accessible?
Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the “.8base” files you will not be able to access them.
🤔 What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?
If the “.8base” files contain some really important information, then you probably have them backed up. Otherwise, you might try to employ System Restore. The only question is whether you have saved any Restore Points that would be helpful now. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 Will GridinSoft Anti-Malware remove all the encrypted files alongside the 8base virus?
No way! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.
With the help of GridinSoft Anti-Malware, you can clean your system off the actual viruses. The virus that has attacked your PC is most likely still functional and running scans periodically to arrest any new files you might create on your PC after the attack. As it has been mentioned above, the 8base malware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide malefactors with easy access to your computer in the future.
🤔 What should I do if the 8base malware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation key.
In such an unfortunate situation, you need to prepare a flash memory card with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to execute the procedure. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system boots and encodes any new files created or brought into your PC. To block this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential programs to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Some of the encrypted files can be located elsewhere.
- If you exchanged your important files by email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You might have shared images or videos with your friends or family members. Just ask them to give those pictures back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud disks might have all those files as well.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old PC, a laptop, mobile, memory stick, etc.
HINT: You can employ data recovery utilities1 to get your lost data back since ransomware encrypts the copies of your files, deleting the authentic ones. In the tutorial below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you kill the virus with an antivirus program.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove 8BASE Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: 8BASE Virus
Description: 8BASE Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .8base extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
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