How to remove Fopra ransomware

Fopra ransomware developers demand payment if victims want to decrypt their files

Fopra ransomware is a file-locking malware. It belongs to the Phobos ransomware family that was discovered by security researchers back in October 2017. It can infiltrate the system and lock users' personal files, such as photos, videos, and documents using complicated encryption algorithms.

The affected files are appended with the .fopra extension, unique ID, and the cyber criminals' email. So if a file was previously named picture.jpg, after encryption it would look like this – picture.jpg.uniqueID.[poshix@tfwno.gf].fopra. Shortly after, two ransom notes are generated on the machine which inform the victims of what happened.

The ransom note

The full info.hta ransom note reads as follows:

All your files have been encrypted!

All of your files have been encrypted. If you want to restore them, write to us by e-mail: poshix@tfwno.gf
Write this ID in the title of your message –
To increase the likelihood of receiving a response to your request, also duplicate your letters to the following e-mails:rootma@cyberfear.com or usupmail@webmeetme.com
For quick and convenient feedback, write to the online operator in the Wire messenger: zexor (The username of the Wire account must be exactly the same as above,beware of fake accounts.)
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 3 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

Attention!
To get guaranteed assistance in decrypting your files, please contact only the contacts indicated in this note, otherwise we are not responsible for the decryption!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third-party software, as this may result in irreversible data loss.
Decrypting your files with the help of third parties may increase the price (they add their fee to ours) or you risk losing money without receiving files decryption in return.
!!! When contacting third parties, we do not give a guarantee for decryption of your files !!!

Cybercriminals generate another note in a text file – info.txt:

!! All your files are encrypted !!!
To decrypt them, send an email to this address: poshix@tfwno.gf
To increase the likelihood of receiving a response to your request, also duplicate your letters to the following e-mails:
rootma@cyberfear.com or usupmail@webmeetme.com
For quick and convenient feedback, write to the online operator in the Wire messenger: @zexor
(The username of the Wire account must be exactly the same as above, be vigilant any accounts that differ even by one letter are fakes.)

Attention!
To get guaranteed assistance in decrypting your files, please contact only the contacts indicated in this note, otherwise, we are not responsible for the decryption!

In the two notes, cybercriminals inform victims of what happened to their files. To make themselves look more trustworthy, they offer to decrypt up to 3 files for free. However, if users want to get all of their data back, they would have to pay. The amount is not specified in the notes but the payment method is Bitcoin.

Threat actors choose to be paid in cryptocurrencies^[1] because it provides anonymity. However, it is very risky for the victims. It is impossible to get the funds back once they are sent to another wallet. Besides, many previous ransomware attack victims say that they never received the promised decryption tools after paying.

Distribution methods

Cybercriminals use a variety of different methods to spread their malicious programs. But the most common way ransomware is spread is through email attachments. Criminals use social engineering tactics to make people download the infected attachment and open it.

Another common method for ransomware distribution is “cracked” software.^[2] Users often download them from unsafe websites like Torrent websites or peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms.^[3] Because they are unregulated, they are the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of malware. It is impossible to know if the downloads contain malicious files.

One of the most underlooked things is the importance of keeping the operating system and software updated. Hackers can use software vulnerabilities to deliver malware. Software developers regularly release security patches which should be installed as soon as they come out to avoid security risks.

How to deal with ransomware?

If you try to recover your data first, it can result in permanent loss. It can also encrypt your files the second time. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files causing it first. You should not attempt removing the malicious program yourself. Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your system. This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. Automatic removal is the best option because there is less risk of leaving some of the traces behind.

Malware could prevent you from using antivirus software by turning it off. In that case, you should proceed with accessing Safe Mode first:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click Restart.
10. Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

File recovery using third-party software

Only hackers hold the decryption key,^[4] which can unlock your files, so if you did not back them up previously, you possibly lost your files forever. You can try using data recovery software, but third-party programs cannot always decrypt the files. We suggest at least trying this method. Before proceeding, you have to copy the corrupted files and place them in a USB flash drive or another storage. And remember – only do this if you have already removed Fopra ransomware.

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
   
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.

The operating system is left damaged after an attack

Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required, are expected after malware infection. These types of infections can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not able to repair it. 

This is why FortectIntego was developed. It can fix a lot of the damage caused by an infection like this. Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc., can make your computer completely unusable. By using this maintenance tool, you could avoid Windows reinstallation.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.