FBIRAS Ransomware @Lawinfo19

Written by Brendan Smith

The Fbiras virus belongs to the ransomware type of malicious agent. Ransomware of such sort encrypts all user’s data on the computer (images, text files, excel sheets, music, videos, etc) and adds its extension to every file, leaving the Readme.txt files in every folder with the encrypted files.

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Fbiras virus: what is known so far?

Fbiras adds its own .FBIRAS extension to every file’s title. For instance, an image entitled “photo.jpg” will be altered to “photo.jpg.FBIRAS”. Likewise, the Excel sheet with the name “table.xlsx” will end up as “table.xlsx.FBIRAS”, and so on.

In each folder with the encrypted files, a Readme.txt text document will be found. It is a ransom money note. It contains information about the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other remarks. The ransom note usually contains a description of how to purchase the decryption tool from the tamperers. You can get this decoding tool after contacting @Lawinfo19 (Telegram) by email. That is pretty much the scheme of the malefaction.

Fbiras Summary:

NameFbiras Virus
Extension.FBIRAS
Ransomware noteReadme.txt
Contact@Lawinfo19 (Telegram)
Detection Win32:Secat [Trj], Trojan:MSIL/FormBook.PRY!MTB
SymptomsYour files (photos, videos, documents) get a .FBIRAS extension and you can’t open them.
Fix ToolSee If Your System Has Been Affected by Fbiras virus

The Readme.txt document accompanying the Fbiras ransomware provides the following discouraging information:

Attention Tax payer:


All Your files have been locked with ransomware by law enforcement for violating cyber laws. All of your important documents, photos, and videos have been encrypted and cannot be accessed without a decryption key. This is a serious offense and you must pay a fine to unlock your files.


To unlock your files, follow these instructions:


1. Contact us on telegram = @Lawinfo19
2. We will tell about you problem
3. You need us to pay a amount for your criminal activity
4. Use the decryption key to unlock your files.


If you fail to comply with these instructions, the fine will increase and your files will be permanently deleted.


Do not attempt to remove the ransomware or tamper with your files. Any attempts to do so will result in the permanent loss of your data.


We understand the inconvenience this may cause, but it is necessary to ensure that cyber laws are not violated. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to resolve this matter as soon as possible.


Sincerely,


Law Enforcement

In the picture below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Fbiras looks like. Each filename has the “.FBIRAS” extension added to it.

Fbiras Virus - encrypted .FBIRAS files

That is how encrypted “.FBIRAS” files look.

How did Fbiras ransomware end up on my PC?

There is a huge number of possible ways of ransomware injection.

There are currently three most popular methods for criminals to have ransomware acting in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer file transfer.

  • If you open your inbox and see emails that look just like notifications from utility services companies, postal agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose mailer is strange to you, be wary of opening those letters. They are most likely to have a malicious item enclosed in them. Therefore, it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
  • Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan horse model. A Trojan is an object that gets into your computer disguised as something legal. For example, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some service. But what is unboxed reveals itself as a harmful program that corrupts your data. As the update file can have any title and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the source of the stuff you’re downloading. The optimal thing is to trust the software developers’ official websites.
  • As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrents 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. We suggest 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 finished.

How do I get rid of ransomware?

It is important to note that besides encrypting your files, the Fbiras virus will probably deploy Vidar Stealer on your computer to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That program can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling data.

Remove Fbiras 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 Fbiras as well as other malware hiding on your computer.

Gridinsoft Anti-Malware - Main Screen

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.

setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe

3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.

Gridinsoft Setup Wizard

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.

Scan for Fbiras Ransomware

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.

The Fbiras was Found

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.

The Fbiras has been removed

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 “Fbiras” 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.

Trojan Killer - Main View

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.

Download Trojan Killer

2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.

3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.

Install Trojan Killer to Removable Drive

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.

Click Update Button

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.

Searching Fbiras Virus

Step 4: Remove Found Threats:

12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.

Searching Fbiras Finished

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.

Restart needed

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 Fbiras 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.

Sometimes criminals would decrypt a few of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption tool. Since the Fbiras virus is a relatively new ransomware, safety measures developers have not yet found a way to undo its work. However, the anti-ransomware instruments are constantly upgraded, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.

Sure thing, if the tamperers succeed in encoding someone’s critical data, the desperate person will probably fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying a ransom gives no guarantee 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 of ransomware developers just vanishing after getting the money without even bothering to reply.

The best safety measure against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your critical files in the cloud disk or at least on an external storage. Surely, that might be not enough. Your most important thing could be that file you were working upon when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also advisable to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the OS restoration.

Fbiras 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, Atck, Rincrypt, Datah, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Fbiras are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is almost identical: files become encrypted, their extensions altered, ransom notes emerge in each folder containing encrypted files.

Some lucky victims were able to decrypt the blocked files with the aid of the free tools provided by anti-ransomware experts. Sometimes the criminals accidentally send the decoding code to the victims in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But naturally, one should never rely on such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a bandits’ instrument to pull the money out of their victims.

How сan I avoid ransomware attack?

Fbiras ransomware has no endless power, so as any similar malware.

You can defend yourself from its attack in three easy steps:

  • Ignore any emails from unknown mailers with unknown addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with 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 more or less something you are waiting for, check all elements of the questionable letter with caution. A fake letter will always have mistakes.
  • Do not use cracked or unknown software. Trojan viruses are often distributed as an element of cracked products, possibly under the guise of “patch” which prevents the license check. Understandably, potentially dangerous programs are difficult to distinguish from reliable software, as trojans sometimes have the functionality you seek. You can try searching for information about this program on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal way is not to use such software.
  • And to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a perfect shield for your PC.

FAQ

🤔 How can I open “.FBIRAS” files?Can I somehow access “.FBIRAS” files?

There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.FBIRAS” files are decrypted.

🤔 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. 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.

🤔 Will GridinSoft Anti-Malware remove all the encrypted files alongside the Fbiras virus?

Of course not. Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with active viruses. The malware that has infected your system is must be still functional and launching checks every so often to encrypt any new files you might create on your computer after the attack. As it has already been said, the Fbiras malware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide criminals with easy access to your computer in the future.

🤔 What should I do if the Fbiras 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 perform the procedure. The point is that the ransomware runs automatically as the system launches and encodes any new files created or imported into your computer. To stop this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential programs to run upon system start. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.

🤔 And what should I do now?

Some of the blocked data can be found elsewhere.

  • If you sent or received your important files by email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
  • You may have shared images or videos with your friends or family members. Just ask them to post those images back to you.
  • If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Web, you can try downloading them again.
  • Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud storage might have all those files as well.
  • Maybe you still have the needed files on your old computer, a laptop, cellphone, flash memory, etc.

HINT: You can use file recovery utilities1 to get your lost data back since ransomware encodes the copies of your files, removing the original ones. In the video below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a recovery, but be advised: you can do it only after you eradicate the virus with an anti-malware program.

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References

  1. Here’s the list of Best Data Recovery Software Of 2024.

About the author

Brendan Smith

I'm Brendan Smith, a passionate journalist, researcher, and web content developer. With a keen interest in computer technology and security, I specialize in delivering high-quality content that educates and empowers readers in navigating the digital landscape.

With a focus on computer technology and security, I am committed to sharing my knowledge and insights to help individuals and organizations protect themselves in the digital age. My expertise in cybersecurity principles, data privacy, and best practices allows me to provide practical tips and advice that readers can implement to enhance their online security.

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