The Matrix virus belongs under the ransomware type of malicious agent. Ransomware of such sort encrypts all user’s data on the PC (photos, text files, excel tables, music, videos, etc) and adds its specific extension to every file, leaving the #Decrypt_Files_ReadMe#.rtf text files in every folder which contains the encrypted files.
What is Matrix?
☝️ A strictly accurate description for the Matrix is “a ransomware malicious agent”.
Matrix will append its own .[RestorFile@tutanota.com] extension to every file’s name. For instance, a file entitled “photo.jpg” will be altered to “photo.jpg.[RestorFile@tutanota.com]”. Likewise, the Excel sheet with the name “table.xlsx” will be renamed to “table.xlsx.[RestorFile@tutanota.com]”, and so on.
In each folder containing the encoded files, a #Decrypt_Files_ReadMe#.rtf text document will be created. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find 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 tamperers. You can get this tool after contacting RestorFile@tutanota.com via email. That is it.
Matrix abstract:
| Name | Matrix Virus |
| Extension | .[RestorFile@tutanota.com] |
| Ransomware note | #Decrypt_Files_ReadMe#.rtf |
| Contact | RestorFile@tutanota.com |
| Detection | Trojan.Agent.BDE, MSIL/Agent.VC, Backdoor.MSIL.Bladabindi |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .[RestorFile@tutanota.com] extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Matrix virus |
In the picture below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Matrix looks like. Each filename has the “.[RestorFile@tutanota.com]” extension added to it.
![Matrix Virus - encrypted .[RestorFile@tutanota.com] files](https://howtofix.guide/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Matrix-files-virus.jpg)
An example of encrypted .[RestorFile@tutanota.com] files.
How did my machine catch Matrix ransomware?
There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
Nowadays, there are three most exploited methods for evil-doers to have ransomware acting in your system. These are email spam, Trojan infiltration and peer file transfer.
If you open your inbox and see letters that look just like notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose sender is strange to you, beware of opening those emails. They are most likely to have a malicious file attached to them. So it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan horse model1. A Trojan is an object that infiltrates into your computer disguised as something different. For instance, you download an installer of some program you want or an update for some program. But what is unpacked reveals itself a harmful agent that encrypts your data. Since the installation wizard can have any title and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the stuff you’re downloading. The best thing is to use the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer file transfer protocols like BitTorrent or eMule, the threat 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. So you’d better be using trustworthy websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded objects with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is complete.
How do I get rid of the Matrix virus?
It is important to note that besides encrypting your files, the Matrix virus will most likely deploy the Azorult Spyware on your PC to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned spyware2 can derive your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Often tamperers would decode few of your files so you know that they do have the decryption tool. As Matrix virus is a relatively recent ransomware, anti-malware developers have not yet found a method to reverse its work. However, the anti-ransomware tools are constantly updated, so the solution may soon be available.
Sure thing, if the evildoers do the job of encoding victim’s essential data, the desperate person will probably comply with their demands. Despite that, paying a ransom does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your files back. It is still risky. After obtaining the money, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption key to the victim. There were reports about criminals just disappearing after getting the ransom without even writing back.
The best countermeasure to ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud storage or at least on an external drive. Obviously, that might be not enough. Your most crucial thing could be that one you were working on when it all happened. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also advisable to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the OS restoration.
There are other ransomware products, besides Matrix, that work similarly. Examples of those are Futm, Rigj, Pqgs, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Matrix are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is the same: documents become blocked, their extensions altered, ransom notes emerge in each directory containing encrypted files.
Some fortunate victims were able to decode the arrested files with the help of the free software provided by anti-malware specialists. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decryption key to the victims in the ransom readme. Such an extraordinary fail allows the user to restore the files. But naturally, one should never rely on such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ tool to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How to avoid ransomware infiltration?
Matrix ransomware has no superpower, so as any similar malware.
You can armour your system from ransomware injection taking three easy steps:
- Ignore any emails from unknown senders with strange addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (can you win in a lottery without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is likely something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the questionable letter with caution. A hoax email will always have mistakes.
- Never use cracked or unknown programs. Trojans are often distributed as a part of cracked products, most likely under the guise of “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, potentially dangerous programs are very hard to distinguish from reliable software, as trojans may also have the functionality you seek. You can 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 objects you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a powerful shield for your system.
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 computer.
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 Matrix 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
🤔 How can I open “.[RestorFile@tutanota.com]” files?Is it possible to open“.[RestorFile@tutanota.com]” files?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.[RestorFile@tutanota.com]” 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. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. All other solutions require time.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Matrix virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?
No way! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will remove the infections from your system. The virus that has infiltrated your system is must be still functional and it scans your system periodically to arrest any new files you might create on your computer after the initial attack. As it has already been said, the Matrix 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 computer after some time.
🤔 What to do if the Matrix ransomware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation code.
In such a case, you need to prepare a memory stick with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to do the cleaning. You see, the ransomware runs automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or imported into your machine. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital programs to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Many of the encrypted files might still be within your reach
- If you exchanged your critical files through email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You may have shared photographs or videos with your friends or family members. Simply ask them to give those pictures back to you.
- If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Web, you can try doing 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, flash memory, etc.
USEFUL TIP: You can use data recovery programs5 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, removing the original ones. In the video below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the ransomware itself 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 MATRIX Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: MATRIX Virus
Description: MATRIX Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific ..[RestorFile@tutanota.com] 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 Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
