DIGITALKEY@163.com ransomware / virus (Removal Instructions)

DIGITALKEY@163.com virus Removal Guide

What is DIGITALKEY@163.com ransomware virus?

Facts about DIGITALKEY@163.com ransomware

DIGITALKEY@163.com virus is a virtual threat to everyone who owns a computer. Being a part of ransomware-type menace, it also belongs to XTBL ransomware category, which means it is related to CrySiS and Troldesh viruses, too. If the victim unknowingly allows this ransomware to be installed (it spreads like a Trojan, which means it arrives in the form of an obfuscated file), it encrypts all data on the computer that holds specific file extensions. The virus aims to encode hundreds of different file types, so it is unlikely that any of the files can stay unaffected. The virus only skips and does not encrypt critical system files to keep the PC running. The reason why this hideous virus encrypts personal data is that it wants to swindle money from the victim, and so it changes the desktop wallpaper with an image that contains very little information – it only says that personal files have been encrypted, and the only way to get them back is to contact someone via DIGITALKEY@163.com email.

We haven’t mentioned this yet, but the virus also adds DIGITALKEY@163.com.xtbl file extensions to each encoded file to make sure that the victim really notices the contact email. If the victim reaches out to criminals via this email, gets a letter asking to pay a ransom, which is nothing more than a filthy blackmail. Sadly, ransomware viruses are powerful computer parasites, and the encryption they use cannot be reverted without a unique key, which the virus generates for every victim separately. This is the tool they offer victims to purchase; however, we do not recommend you to do so. If you have a data backup, you can restore your files, but do not plug the device into the compromised computer until you remove DIGITALKEY@163.com virus. Please, do not waste your time trying to eliminate this malware on your own – you can delete the wrong files and damage the computer system. This virus tends to hide its components by giving them safe-looking filenames, so for DIGITALKEY@163.com removal, you should employ anti-malware software like FortectIntego.
DIGITALKEY@163.com ransomware virus

How did this ransomware get inside your PC?

As we have already mentioned, ransomware typically arrives in a concealed file, in most cases – Word, PDF, or JavaScript file. Such files contain a malicious script, which, once executed, encrypts the data quickly. Criminals typically deliver this ransomware via email, by sending deceitful messages. Typically, attackers craft messages that announce “You have 500$ payment waiting in your Paypal account,” “Medical test results,” “Invoice No. 234” and similar. If you receive such email from an unknown sender, do not open links or attachments! Chances are, such letter is carrying malware payload and wants you to open it.

How to remove DIGITALKEY@163.com.xtbl ransomware from the computer?

To remove DIGITALKEY@163.com virus for good, use a proper tool for that. There are many useless malware removers that cannot be trusted, so we recommend using FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner. These programs can remove malware and spyware programs, so they are going to remove intrusive ad-supported programs and other parasites along with DIGITALKEY@163.com.xtbl ransomware. The ransom Trojan might try to block your anti-virus program, so in such case, follow these DIGITALKEY@163.com removal instructions:

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of DIGITALKEY@163.com virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

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

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove DIGITALKEY@163.com using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of DIGITALKEY@163.com. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that DIGITALKEY@163.com removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove DIGITALKEY@163.com from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by DIGITALKEY@163.com, you can use several methods to restore them:

Solution: Data Recovery Pro

If files are encrypted, and you are not willing to pay the ransom, we can only say that it is better not to support cyber criminals than pay the ransom and hope for the best. Although this data recovery tool is not the actual XTBL decrypter, it can help you to recover at least some files. Use it as explained below.

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by DIGITALKEY@163.com ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from DIGITALKEY@163.com and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

 

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

About the author
Gabriel E. Hall
Gabriel E. Hall - Passionate web researcher

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