The Sncip virus belongs to the ransomware type of malicious agent. Malware of this type encrypts all user’s data on the computer (photos, text files, excel tables, music, videos, etc) and adds its extra extension to every file, creating the eauk_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt text files in each directory containing encrypted files.
What is known about the Sncipvirus?
☝️ A scientifically accurate denomination for the Sncip is “a ransomware-type infection”.
The renaming will be executed by the following scheme: [random string].sncip. After the encryption, a file entitled, for example, “report.docx” will be changed to “report.docx.fqeoni137CB3V0Jv69670F00lpomVVTX.sncip”.
In each folder containing the encrypted files, a eauk_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt text file will appear. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find information about the ways of paying the ransom and some other remarks. The ransom note most probably contains a description of how to purchase the decryption tool from the racketeers. That is pretty much the scheme of the malefaction.
Sncip overview:
| Name | Sncip Virus |
| Extension | .[random string].sncip |
| Ransomware note | eauk_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt |
| Detection | Virus.VirLock.1, Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.PAH!MTB, Ransom:Win32/Shade!MSR |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .[random string].sncip extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Sncip virus |
In the screenshot below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Sncip looks like. Each filename has the “.[random string].sncip” extension added to it.
![Sncip Virus - encrypted .[random string].sncip files](https://howtofix.guide/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sncip-files-virus.jpg)
An example of encrypted .[random string].sncip files.
How did Sncip ransomware end up on my PC?
There are many possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most popular methods for hackers to have ransomware acting in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer-to-peer networks.
If you access your mailbox and see emails that look just like notifications from utility services providers, delivery agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is unknown to you, beware of opening those letters. They are very likely to have a viral file enclosed in them. Therefore, it is even more dangerous to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan file model1. A Trojan is a program that infiltrates into your machine disguised as something different. Imagine, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some service. However, what is unpacked turns out to be a harmful program that encrypts your data. As the installation file can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the resource of the files you’re downloading. The optimal way is to trust the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer networks like torrent trackers or eMule, the danger 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 resources. Also, it is a good idea to scan the folder containing the downloaded objects with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.
How to remove the Sncip virus?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your files, the Sncip virus will most likely install the Azorult Spyware on your PC to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That program can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Sometimes tamperers would decrypt some of your files to prove that they really have the decryption program. Since Sncip virus is a relatively new ransomware, safety measures developers have not yet found a way to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the decryption instruments are frequently upgraded, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.
Sure thing, if the evildoers succeed in encoding victim’s critical files, the hopeless person will probably fulfill their demands. Nevertheless, paying a ransom does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still dangerous. After obtaining the money, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption key to the victim. There were reports of ransomware developers just vanishing after getting the money without even bothering to reply.
The optimal safety measure against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your critical files in the cloud storage or at least on an external disk. Of course, that might be insufficient. The most important thing could be that file you were working upon when it all happened. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also advisable to scan your drives with the anti-malware utility after the OS restoration.
Sncip 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, Qqqw, Maak, Bbbw, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the Sncip are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is the same: documents become inaccessible, their extensions altered, ransom notes appear in each folder containing encoded files.
Some fortunate people were able to decode the blocked files with the aid of the free tools provided by anti-ransomware experts. Sometimes the racketeers accidentally send the decoding key to the victims in the ransom readme. Such an extraordinary fail allows the victim to restore the files. But obviously, one should never expect such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a bandits’ technology to pull the money out of their victims.
How do I avert ransomware attack?
Sncip ransomware has no superpower, neither does any similar malware.
You can protect yourself from its attack in three easy steps:
- Ignore any emails from unknown senders with unknown addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with 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 waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the questionable letter carefully. A fake email will always contain mistakes.
- Do not use cracked or unknown programs. Trojan viruses are often distributed as a part of cracked products, possibly as a “patch” to prevent the license check. But potentially dangerous programs are very hard to tell from trustworthy software, because trojans may also have the functionality you seek. You can try to find information about this program on the anti-malware forums, 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 program will be a powerful shield for your system.
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 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 Sncip 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 finished, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
🤔 Can I somehow access “.[random string].sncip” files?
Unfortunately, no. You need to decipher the “.[random string].sncip” files first. Then you will be able to open them.
🤔 The encrypted files are very important to me. How can I decrypt them quickly?
It’s good if you have fаr-sightedly saved copies of these important files elsewhere. 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.
🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the Sncip malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?
No way! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with active threats. The malware that has infiltrated your device is probably still functional and it scans your system periodically to encode any new files you might create on your computer after the initial attack. As it has already been said, the Sncip ransomware does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide malefactors with easy access to your computer in the future.
🤔 What should I do if the Sncip virus has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.
If that happened, you need to have a memory stick with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the cleaning. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or imported into your machine. To suppress this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 And what should I do now?
Many of the encoded files might still be within your reach
- If you sent or received your critical files via email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You might have shared images 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 media pages, and cloud disks might have all those files too.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old PC, a notebook, mobile, external storage, etc.
HINT: You can employ file recovery programs4 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware blocks the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the video below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you remove the virus with an antivirus 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 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 SNCIP Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: SNCIP Virus
Description: SNCIP Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .[random string].sncip 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.
- 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.
