The Encfiles virus belongs under the Amnesia ransomware family. Ransomware of this type encrypts all the data on your computer (images, text files, excel sheets, audio files, videos, etc) and adds its extra extension to every file, leaving the HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT files in each folder containing encrypted files. It additionally removes the original names of your files, substituting it with a random string.
Encfiles virus: what is known so far?
โ๏ธ A scientifically accurate designation for the Encfiles is “a Amnesia family ransomware-type malicious agent”.
The pattern of renaming is the following: %random_string%.Encfiles. As a part of encryption, a file named, for example, “report.docx” will be renamed to “1dbascb13fc3971xx.Encfiles”.
In every directory with the encrypted files, a HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT text file will be created. It is a ransom money memo. It contains information about the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other remarks. The ransom note usually contains instructions on how to buy the decryption tool from the racketeers. That is how they do it.
Encfiles outline:
| Name | Encfiles Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | Amnesia ransomware |
| Extension | .Encfiles |
| Ransomware note | HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT |
| Detection | Troj/GandCrab-A, Trojan:Win32/Glupteba.NI!MTB, Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.SLH!MTB |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) are renamed to a random string and have a .Encfiles extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Encfiles virus |
The example of files encrypted by Encfiles Ransomware
How did my computer get infected with Encfiles ransomware?
There are many possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
Nowadays, there are three most popular ways for tamperers to have the Encfiles virus planted in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer networks.
If you access your mailbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services companies, delivery agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose addresser is strange to you, be wary of opening those letters. They are very likely to have a viral file attached to them. Therefore, it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan file scheme2. A Trojan is a program that gets into your PC disguised as something different. For example, you download an installer of some program you need or an update for some software. However, what is unboxed turns out to be a harmful program that encrypts your data. As the installation package can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the stuff you’re downloading. The optimal way is to use the software developers’ official websites.
As for the peer networks like torrent trackers or eMule, the threat is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never know what you download until you get it. So you’d better be using trustworthy resources. Also, it is a good idea to scan the directory containing the downloaded objects with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is done.
How to remove the Encfiles virus?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the Encfiles virus will most likely install the Azorult Spyware on your machine to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware3 can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Sometimes racketeers would unblock some of your files to prove that they really have the decryption tool. As Encfiles virus is a relatively recent ransomware, security software designers have not yet found a way to undo its work. However, the decryption tools are constantly updated, so the solution may soon be available.
Sure thing, if the criminals do the job of encrypting victim’s essential data, the desperate person will most likely fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying a ransom does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your data back. It is still dangerous. After getting the ransom, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports about malefactors just vanishing after getting the money without even writing back.
The best solution against ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud disk or at least on an external disk. Of course, that might be insufficient. Your most crucial thing could be that file you were working upon when it all happened. But at least it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the OS is rolled back.
Encfiles 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 Qqkk, Ccew, Qqmt, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the Encfiles are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: files become inaccessible, their extensions altered, ransom notes are created in every folder containing encrypted files.
Some fortunate people were able to decode the arrested files with the aid of the free software provided by anti-malware specialists. Sometimes the racketeers mistakenly send the decryption key to the victims in the ransom readme. Such an extraordinary fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But obviously, one should never rely on such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a bandits’ instrument to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How ัan I avert ransomware attack?
Encfiles ransomware has no superpower, neither does any similar malware.
You can defend your computer from its infiltration within three easy steps:
- Never open any emails from unknown mailers with strange addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are waiting for (how can you win in a money prize draw without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is likely something you are expecting, scrutinize all elements of the questionable letter with caution. A fake email will always contain a mistake.
- Do not use cracked or unknown software. Trojans are often distributed as an element of cracked software, most likely as a โpatchโ to prevent the license check. Understandably, potentially dangerous programs are very hard to tell from reliable software, because trojans may also have the functionality you seek. Try to find information about this program on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal way is not to use such programs at all.
- And to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, scan them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a powerful defense for your system.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft4
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft5.
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 PC.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click โYesโ 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 PC for Encfiles 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 โClean Nowโ button in right corner.
Frequently Asked Questions
๐ค Can I somehow access “.Encfiles” files?
Unfortunately, no. You need to decipher the “.Encfiles” files first. Then you will be able to open them.
๐ค What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?
Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. The rest of the methods require patience.
๐ค Will GridinSoft Anti-Malware remove all the encrypted files alongside the Encfiles virus?
Of course not. The encrypted files are not harmful, so they won’t be deleted.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with active viruses. The malware that has infiltrated your device is most likely still active and running scans every so often to encode any new files you might create on your PC after the initial attack. As it has been mentioned above, the Encfiles malware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide hackers with easy access to your PC after some time.
๐ค What actions should I take if the Encfiles virus has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation key.
In such a case, you need to have a flash memory card with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the procedure. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system boots and encodes any new files created or imported into your computer. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential programs to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
๐ค What can I do right now?
Many of the encoded files might still be at your disposal
- If you exchanged your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to send 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 networks pages, and cloud storage might have all those files as well.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old PC, a notebook, cellphone, external storage, etc.
HINT: You can use data recovery programs6 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware blocks the copies of your files, deleting the original ones. In the tutorial below, you can see how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you remove the virus with an anti-malware program.
Also, you can contact the following governmental 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 sรฉcuritรฉ des systรจmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt fรผr Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Sรญochรกna;
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 ENCFILES Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: ENCFILES Virus
Description: ENCFILES Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .Encfiles extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
- 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.
