The Dx31 virus belongs to the Phobos ransomware family. Malware of this type encrypts all the data on your PC (images, text files, excel sheets, audio files, videos, etc) and adds its specific extension to every file, creating the info.txt text files in each folder which contains the encrypted files.
Dx31 virus: what is known so far?
☝️ Dx31 is a Phobos family ransomware virus.
The pattern of renaming is this: id[victim_id].[contact-email].dx31. In the course of encryption, a file named, for example, “report.docx” will be turned into “report.docx.id[9ECFA84E-3449].[dx31@mail.com].dx31”.
In every directory with the encoded files, a info.txt file will appear. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find information about the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other information. The ransom note most probably contains a description of how to purchase the decryption tool from the racketeers. You can get this decryptor after contacting dx31@mail.com through email. That is how they do it.
Dx31 Summary:
| Name | Dx31 Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | Phobos ransomware |
| Extension | .dx31 |
| Ransomware note | info.txt |
| Contact | dx31@mail.com |
| Detection | PWS:Win32/Enterak.A Virus Removal, BScope.TrojanRansom.Stealc Virus Removal, Trojan:Win32/Azorult.DX!MTB Virus Removal |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .dx31 extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Dx31 virus |
The info.txt file coming in package with the Dx31 ransomware states the following:
!!!All of your files are encrypted!!! To decrypt them send e-mail to this address: dx31@mail.com. If we don\'t answer in 24h., send e-mail to this address: dx31@usa.com
In the image below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Dx31 looks like. Each filename has the “.dx31” extension appended to it.
An example of encrypted .dx31 files.
How did my computer get infected with Dx31 ransomware?
There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
Nowadays, there are three most popular ways for malefactors to have the Dx31 virus settled in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan infiltration and peer file transfer.
- If you open your inbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, delivery agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose mailer is unknown to you, beware of opening those letters. They are very likely to have a harmful file enclosed in them. Thus it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
- Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan file scheme. A Trojan is an object that infiltrates into your PC pretending to be something legal. For example, you download an installer of some program you need or an update for some program. But what is unboxed turns out to be a harmful program that encodes your data. As the installation wizard can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the files you’re downloading. The best way is to use the software developers’ official websites.
- As for the peer-to-peer file transfer protocols like BitTorrent or eMule, the threat 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. So you’d better be using trustworthy websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded files with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is finished.
How do I get rid of ransomware?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your files, the Dx31 virus will most likely deploy Vidar Stealer on your machine to get access to credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned program can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Remove Dx31 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 Dx31 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 “Dx31” 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 Dx31 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.
Often criminals would decode some of your files to prove that they do have the decryption program. Since Dx31 virus is a relatively new ransomware, security software designers have not yet found a way to reverse its work. However, the decryption instruments are frequently upgraded, so the solution may soon arrive.
Understandably, if the tamperers do the job of encoding victim’s essential files, the hopeless person will probably comply with their demands. Despite that, paying a ransom does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still risky. After getting the money, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption key to the victim. There were reports of criminals just disappearing after getting the ransom without even bothering to reply.
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 disk. Surely, that might be not enough. Your most crucial thing could be that file you were working upon when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the system is rolled back.
Dx31 is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. Examples of those are Silentanonymous, Secles, Ebaka, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Dx31 are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is the same: documents become blocked, their extensions changed, ransom notes are found in every folder containing encrypted files.
Some lucky victims were able to decode the blocked files with the help of the free tools provided by anti-malware developers. Sometimes the racketeers mistakenly send the decoding code to the victims in the ransom note. Such an epic fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But obviously, one should never expect such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a tamperers’ technology to pull the money out of their victims.
How to avert ransomware infection?
Dx31 ransomware doesn’t have a superpower, neither does any similar malware.
You can armour your system from its infiltration within several easy steps:
- Ignore any letters from unknown mailers with unknown addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are waiting for (can you win in a money prize draw without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the dubious email with caution. A fake letter will always contain a mistake.
- Avoid using cracked or untrusted programs. Trojans are often shared as an element of cracked products, most likely under the guise of “patch” which prevents the license check. Understandably, potentially dangerous programs are difficult to distinguish from reliable ones, as trojans sometimes have the functionality you need. You can try searching for information on this program on the anti-malware message boards, but the best way is not to use such software.
- And to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a perfect shield for your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
🤔 Is it possible to open “.dx31” files?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.dx31” files are decrypted.
🤔 What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?
Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. In case you haven’t, there is still a chance that you do have a Restore Point from some time ago to roll back the whole system to the moment when it had no virus yet, but already had your files. There are other ways to beat ransomware, but they take time.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Dx31 virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?
No way! Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will remove actual threats from your computer. The ransomware that has infiltrated your PC is must be still active and launching checks every so often to arrest any new files you might create on your PC after the attack. As it has been said above, the Dx31 virus does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide malefactors with easy access to your system in the future.
🤔 What should I do if the Dx31 virus has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation code.
In such a case, you need to prepare a memory stick with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to execute the procedure. You see, the ransomware starts automatically as the system boots and encrypts any new files created or brought into your machine. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What could help the situation right now?
Some of the blocked data can be located elsewhere.
- If you sent or received your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You may have shared photographs or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to send those images back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Web, you can try to do it again.
- Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud drives might have all those files too.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old computer, a laptop, mobile, external storage, etc.
USEFUL TIP: You can use file recovery utilities2 to get your lost data back since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, removing the original ones. In the video below, you can learn how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but remember: you can do it only after you eradicate the virus with an antivirus program.
