Malware analyst Tomas Meskauskas was the person who originally detected the Dom virus, which belongs to the ransomware type of malicious agent. Harmful software of this type encrypts all the data on your computer (images, text files, excel sheets, audio files, videos, etc) and appends its extra extension to every file, creating the ENCRYPTED.txt text files in every directory with the encrypted files.
What is known about the Domvirus?
☝️ A scientifically correct denomination for the Dom is “a ransomware infection”.
The pattern of renaming is this: .dom. After the encryption, a file entitled, for instance, “report.docx” will be turned into “report.docx.[c44fb759f0].[dekrypt666@onionmail.org].dom”.
In every folder that contains the encrypted files, a ENCRYPTED.txt text file will appear. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find information on the ways of paying the ransom and some other remarks. The ransom note most probably contains instructions on how to buy the decryption tool from the Dom developers. You can get this decrypting software after contacting dekrypt666@onionmail.org by email. That is it.
Dom overview:
| Name | Dom Virus |
| Extension | .dom |
| Ransomware note | ENCRYPTED.txt |
| Contact | dekrypt666@onionmail.org |
| Detection | UDS:Trojan-Ransom.Win32.GenericML.xnet, Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.SU!MTB, Trojan:Win32/Redline.WON!MTB |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .dom extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Dom virus |
The ENCRYPTED.txt file accompanying the Dom ransomware provides the following discouraging information:
!!! ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED !!! All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted. You are not able to decrypt it by yourself! The only method of recovering files is to purchase an unique private key. Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files. Do you really want to restore your files? You can write us to our mailboxes: dekrypt666@onionmail.org (in subject line please write your MachineID: - and LaunchID: -) Attention! * Do not rename encrypted files. * Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss. * Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
In the picture below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Dom looks like. Each filename has the “.dom” extension added to it.
An example of encrypted .dom files.
How did Dom ransomware end up on my PC?
There are many possible ways of ransomware injection.
There are currently three most popular ways for tamperers to have ransomware settled in your system. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer networks.
If you open your mailbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, delivery agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is unknown to you, beware of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a malware item attached to them. Thus it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan virus scheme1. A Trojan is a program that infiltrates into your machine pretending to be something legal. For example, you download an installer of some program you want or an update for some service. But what is unboxed reveals itself a harmful program that corrupts your data. Since the update file can have any title and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the source of the things you’re downloading. The best way is to trust the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer networks like torrent trackers or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never guess what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is reasonable to scan the folder containing the downloaded items with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.
How to remove the Dom virus?
It is important to inform you that besides encrypting your data, the Dom virus will probably deploy the Azorult Spyware on your PC to get access to credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware2 can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Often racketeers would decode few of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption program. As Dom virus is a relatively new ransomware, security software designers have not yet found a way to undo its work. Nevertheless, the decoding instruments are constantly updated, so the effective countermeasure may soon arrive.
Sure thing, if the evildoers do the job of encoding victim’s essential files, the desperate person will probably comply with their demands. Despite that, paying to racketeers does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still risky. After obtaining the ransom, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the victim. There were reports of malefactors simply disappearing after getting the money without even writing back.
The best safety measure against 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 drive. Obviously, that might be insufficient. The most crucial thing could be that one you were working on when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also reasonable to scan your PC for viruses with the antivirus program after the system is rolled back.
Dom 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, Towz, Powd, Tuow, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Dom are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is the same: documents become encoded, their extensions altered, ransom notes are found in every folder containing encoded files.
Some lucky victims were able to decrypt the blocked files with the aid of the free software provided by anti-malware developers. Sometimes the criminals accidentally send the decoding key to the wronged in the ransom note. Such an epic fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But of course, one should never expect such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a criminals’ instrument to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How do I avert ransomware infiltration?
Dom ransomware has no endless power, so as any similar malware.
You can armour your system from its infiltration in three easy steps:
- Never open any emails from unknown mailboxes with strange addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (how can you win in a money prize draw without even taking part in it?). In case the email subject is likely something you are expecting, scrutinize all elements of the suspicious letter carefully. A fake email will surely contain a mistake.
- Avoid using cracked or unknown programs. Trojan viruses are often shared as a part of cracked products, possibly as a “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, dubious programs are very hard to tell from trustworthy software, because trojans sometimes have the functionality you seek. Try searching for information about this program on the anti-malware message boards, but the best solution is not to use such software.
- And finally, to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a perfect armor for your personal computer.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft3
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft4.
Download Removal Tool.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Run the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your system.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Dom infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
FAQ
🤔 Is it possible to open “.dom” files?
Unfortunately, no. You need to decipher the “.dom” files first. Then you will be able to open them.
🤔 What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?
It’s good if you have fаr-sightedly saved copies of these important files elsewhere. Otherwise, you might try to employ System Restore. The only question is whether you have saved any Restore Points that would be helpful now. All other solutions require time.
🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the Dom malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?
Of course not. The encrypted files are not harmful, so they won’t be deleted.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with active threats. The virus that has infected your computer is most likely still functional and running scans from time to time to encode any new files you might create on your computer after the attack. As it has been said above, the Dom ransomware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide criminals with easy access to your computer after some time.
🤔 What to do if the Dom malware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation code.
If that happened, you need to have a flash memory card with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the cleaning. You see, the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encodes any new files created or imported into your computer. To block this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What could help the situation right now?
Many of the encrypted files might still be at your disposal
- If you sent or received your critical files via email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or family members. Just ask them to post those images back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Web, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud storage might have all those files as well.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old PC, a notebook, cellphone, memory stick, etc.
USEFUL TIP: You can employ data recovery utilities5 to get your lost data back since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, removing the original ones. In the video below, you can see how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you remove the virus with an anti-malware program.
Also, you can contact the following official fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove DOM Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: DOM Virus
Description: DOM Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .dom extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- You can read more on spyware variants and nature in the respective section of GridinSoft official website.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
- Here’s the list of Top 10 Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
