The Sysdf virus falls under the Dharma ransomware family. Harmful software of such sort encrypts all the data on your computer (photos, text files, excel tables, music, videos, etc) and appends its extra extension to every file, leaving the read.txt files in every folder containing encrypted files.
What is known about the Sysdf virus?
☝️ Sysdf is a Dharma family ransomware malicious agent.
The renaming will be executed by the following scheme: .id-xxxx.[contact-email].SYSDF. After the encryption, a file entitled, for instance, “report.docx” will be altered to “report.docx.id-9ECFA84E.[Dec24hepl@aol.com].SYSDF”.
In every folder that contains the encrypted files, a read.txt text file will be found. It is a ransom money memo. It contains information about the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other remarks. The ransom note most probably contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the tamperers. You can obtain this decoding tool after contacting Dec24hepl@aol.com through email. That is it.
Sysdf Overview:
| Name | Sysdf Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | Dharma ransomware |
| Extension | .SYSDF |
| Ransomware note | read.txt |
| Contact | Dec24hepl@aol.com |
| Detection | Trojan:Win32/Gozi.RC!MTB, Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.SAC!MTB, MSIL/TrojanDownloader.Agent.QCS |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .SYSDF extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Sysdf virus |
The read.txt document accompanying the Sysdf malware states the following:
all your data has been locked us You want to return? write email Dec24hepl@aol.com
In the image below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Sysdf looks like. Each filename has the “.SYSDF” extension added to it.
An example of encrypted .SYSDF files.
How did my machine catch Sysdf ransomware?
There is a huge number of possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most popular methods for hackers to have ransomware planted in your system. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer file transfer.
- If you open 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 “from” field is unknown to you, beware of opening those emails. They are most likely to have a malicious file attached to them. Thus it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with emails like these.
- Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan horse scheme. A Trojan is an object that infiltrates into your computer pretending to be something different. Imagine, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some program. However, what is unpacked turns out to be a harmful program that encrypts your data. Since the installation package can have any title and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the resource of the files you’re downloading. The optimal thing is to trust the software companies’ official websites.
- As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrents or eMule, the danger 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 websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the folder containing the downloaded objects with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is done.
How do I get rid of ransomware?
It is important to note that besides encrypting your data, the Sysdf virus will probably deploy Vidar Stealer on your machine to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned program can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Remove Sysdf 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 Sysdf as well as other malware hiding on your computer.
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.
3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.
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.
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.
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.
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 “Sysdf” 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.
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.
2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.
3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.
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.
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.
Step 4: Remove Found Threats:
12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.
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.
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 Sysdf 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.
Often criminals would unblock few of your files to prove that they do have the decryption tool. Since Sysdf virus is a relatively new ransomware, security software designers have not yet found a method to undo its work. Nevertheless, the anti-ransomware tools are constantly upgraded, so the solution may soon arrive.
Of course, if the criminals do the job of encoding victim’s critical data, the desperate person will probably comply with their demands. Nevertheless, paying a ransom gives no guarantee that you’re getting your files back. It is still risky. After obtaining the ransom, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports of malefactors simply disappearing after getting the ransom without even writing back.
The best safety measure against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud drive or at least on an external drive. Of course, that might be insufficient. Your most crucial thing could be that one you were working upon when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also wise to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the system is rolled back.
There are other ransomware products, besides Sysdf, that work similarly. Examples of those are Z1n, Lkhy, Jerryransom, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Sysdf are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: files become blocked, their extensions altered, ransom notes are created in every folder containing encrypted files.
Some lucky victims were able to decode the arrested files with the aid of the free tools provided by anti-malware specialists. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decryption key to the victims in the ransom readme. Such an epic fail allows the user to restore the files. But of course, one should never rely on such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a bandits’ tool to pull the money out of their victims.
How do I avert ransomware injection?
Sysdf ransomware doesn’t have a endless power, so as any similar malware.
You can armour your PC from its attack within three easy steps:
- Never open any emails from unknown mailboxes with strange addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are expecting (can you win in a money prize draw without participating in it?). In case the email subject is likely something you are expecting, check all elements of the dubious letter carefully. A fake letter will surely have a mistake.
- Do not use cracked or unknown software. Trojans are often spreaded as an element of cracked products, possibly under the guise of “patch” which prevents the license check. But dubious programs are very hard to distinguish from reliable software, as trojans may also have the functionality you need. Try to find information about this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal solution is not to use such programs at all.
- And finally, to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a powerful armor for your system.
FAQ
🤔 Are the “.SYSDF” files accessible?
Unfortunately, no. You need to decipher the “.SYSDF” files first. Then you will be able to open them.
🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.SYSDF” files ASAP. How can I do that?
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. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the Sysdf malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?
Absolutely not! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with actual viruses. The virus that has attacked your system is most likely still functional and running scans periodically to arrest any new files you might create on your computer after the infection. As it has been mentioned above, the Sysdf ransomware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide hackers with easy access to your computer after some time.
🤔 What should I do if the Sysdf malware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation key.
If that happened, you need to prepare a flash memory card with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the cleaning. You see, the ransomware runs automatically as the system boots and encrypts any new files created or brought into your PC. To block this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Some of the blocked files can be found elsewhere.
- If you exchanged your critical files via email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You may have shared images or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to give 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 networks pages, and cloud storage might have all those files too.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old PC, a notebook, cellphone, flash memory, etc.
USEFUL TIP: You can use data recovery programs2 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 recover your files with PhotoRec, but remember: you can do it only after you kill the ransomware itself with an antivirus program.
