Remove Elbow Virus Files: UNKNOWNTEAM Ransomware

What is .elbow file virus?

Elbow is PHOBOS family ransomware, it modifies your documents by means of encrypting them and demanding the ransom to be paid allegedly to restore access to them. id[XXXXXXXX-XXXX].[unknownteam@criptext.com].elbow indicates unknownteam@criptext.com as a channel for contacting the ransomware criminals.

The PHOBOS ransomware is active again through its new cryptovirus bearing the name of .elbow. This particular virus family modifies all popular file types using adding the .elbow extension, thus making the data unavailable. The victims cannot open their important documents anymore. The ransomware also assigns its unique identification key, just like all previous representatives of the virus family. As soon the ransomware encrypted the file, it obtains a special new extension becoming the secondary one. The file virus also generates a ransom note providing the users want instructions allegedly to restore the data.

Elbow Threat Summary

Elbow deletes shadow copies of files, disables the recovery and repair functions of Windows, at the boot stage, disables the firewall with commands, launches the mshta.exe application to display ransomware requirements:

vssadmin.exe vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet
WMIC.exe wmic shadowcopy delete
bcdedit.exe bcdedit /set default recoveryenabled no
bcdedit.exe bcdedit /set default bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
netsh.exe netsh advfirewall set currentprofile state off
netsh.exe netsh firewall set opmode mode=disable
mshta.exe "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\info.hta"
mshta.exe "%PUBLIC%\desktop\info.hta"
mshta.exe "C:\info.hta"

Elbow Startup

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\exec.exe

.elbow File Virus – Phobos Ransomware

What Is It and How Did I Get It?

The .elbow ransomware is most commonly spread using a payload dropper. It runs the malicious script that eventually installs the file virus. The threat circulates actively on the web, considering the facts about the ransomware mentioned in the VirusTotal database. The .elbow ransomware may also promote its payload files through popular social networks and via file-sharing platforms. Alternatively, some free applications hosted on many popular resources may also be disguised as helpful tools, whereas they may lead to malicious scripts that inject the ransomware. Your caution to prevent the .elbow virus attack matters a lot!

.elbow File Virus is a infection that encrypts your data and presents a frustrating ransomware notice. Below is the screenshot depicting the ransomware note:

[unknownteam@criptext.com].elbow virus demanding message in a pop-up window

It says the following:

All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail unknownteam@criptext.com
Write this ID in the title of your message ********-****
If there is no response from our mail, you can install the Jabber client and write to us in support of 
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Jabber client installation instructions:
Download the jabber (Pidgin) client from https://pidgin.im/download/windows/
After installation, the Pidgin client will prompt you to create a new account.
Click "Add"
In the "Protocol" field, select XMPP
In "Username" - come up with any name
In the field "domain" - enter any jabber-server, there are a lot of them, for example - exploit.im
Create a password
At the bottom, put a tick "Create account"
Click add
If you selected "domain" - exploit.im, then a new window should appear in which you will need to re-enter your data:
User password
You will need to follow the link to the captcha (there you will see the characters that you need to enter in the field below)
If you don't understand our Pidgin client installation instructions, you can find many installation tutorials on youtube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pidgin+jabber+install
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.

Remove [unknownteam@criptext.com].elbow File Virus (Phobos)

Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft²

There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft³.

Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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 system for Elbow 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.

How to decrypt .elbow files?

You can download and use this decrypter that Kaspersky released if you were hit by .[unknownteam@criptext.com].elbow extension.

You can download and use this decrypter that Avast released or this decrypter that Kaspersky released if you were hit by .elbow extension.

What the next?

If the guide doesn’t help you to remove Elbow virus, please download the GridinSoft Anti-Malware that I recommended. Also, you can always ask me in the comments for getting help. Good luck!

1. How To Change Remote Desktop (RDP) Port: https://howtofix.guide/change-remote-desktop-port-on-windows-10/
2. GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
3. More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison