Remove Eking ransomware (Virus Removal Guide) - Decryption Steps Included
Eking virus Removal Guide
What is Eking ransomware?
Eking ransomware – file-encrypting virus that asks for a quick ransom within 24 hours
Eking ransomware is a malicious file-encrypting virus that has been discovered on the surface on May 17th, 2020. The attacks have started slowly, but is affecting more and more users around the globe since then. According to the researchers[1], the virus is being distributed via torrenting websites bundled with Adobe Acrobat crack, which is very popular and makes the virus spreading quite easily. Once the malicious payload is launched, the Eking starts the first phase of the attack, i.e. inject malicious .exe processes and gains administrative privileges over the system. The second phase is related to file encryption. For locking up victim's files, criminals behind this ransomware uses AES encryption and id.[decphob@tuta.io].eking appendix.
Eking ransomware virus genealogically stems from the infamous Phobos ransomware family, which has over 20 members, including Mamba, Phoenix, and ISO ransomware. Just like the predecessors, it mimics the notorious file-encrypting viruses from the Dharma family. It uses an identical style for a ransom note and provides word-to-word the same instructions on it. At the moment, the Eking virus creates a pop-up window info.hta or a text file info.txt in every folder that contains locked files. The file contains two emails for contacts: decphob@tuta.io and decphob@protonmail.com. However, neither contacting criminals nor paying the ransom is recommended.
| Name | Eking |
| Geneology | The virus belongs to the Phobos ransomware family |
| Classification | Ransomware / File-encrypting virus |
| Encryption | Based on the Phobos family history, Eking is believed to be using AES cipher to encrypt files on an infected machine |
| File extension | The ransomware uses .eking extension to mark locked files. Typically the extension is preceded by a victim's ID and decphob@tuta.io email in the square brackets |
| Ransom note | The ransom note looks identical to the one used by Dharma variants. It manifests in a form of a pop-up window named info.hta or a text file info.txt |
| Contact emails | decphob@tuta.io decphob@protonmail.com |
| Distribution | At the moment, the virus is most actively distributed via torrent websites bundled with Adobe Acrobat crack. However, ransomware managers can also exploit open RDPs or spread the payload via malicious spam attachments |
| Elimination | The only possibility to remove the ransomware from the system is a thorough scan with a professional AV engine |
| File decryption | Unfortunately, there's no official Eking decryptor. You can try alternative data recovery solutions that we have listed below this article or try to contact reputable ransomware researchers for help |
| Fix tool | The damage that the ransomware does to the system is huge and leading to Windows system errors. To fix such damage, use tools like ReimageIntego repair software |
The .eking file extension virus has been detected as the latest Phobos variant. The user who is considered to be the first victim of this ransomware reported that he's downloaded some software, a crack for Adobe Acrobat[2] specifically, and soon after that files, such as photos, videos, documents, etc. got locked with the id.[decphob@tuta.io].eking affix manifests on of their titles.
The Eking ransomware virus also displays a ransom note, which, as we have already pointed out able, is similar to the one displayed by Dharma. Victims may see a pop-up info.hta, which states the fact of an attack, provides contact information, ID number, and instructions on how to purchase Bitcoins. In addition, it may generate an info.txt file in every folder that contains encrypted data. The Eking ransom note contains the following information:
Your PC has been infected by a ransomware. If you want to restore them, contact the following address below.
E – Mail contact – decphob@tuta.io / decphob@protonmail.com
If there is no answer in 24 hours. Try to contact us via Sonar.
Download TOR browser
hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/
While using your TOR browser copy and paste the URL below:
hxxp://kcxb2moqaw76xrhv.onion/
Register an account and message us in our ID : decphob
If the TOR link is not working go to hxxps://onion.live
NEVER RENAME ENCRYPTED FILES THIS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR FILES PERMANENTLY
The size of the redemption is not clear, though it may vary from $300 to $5000 in Bitcoins. However, paying the ransom is not recommended due to identity theft and other harm that hackers can cause. Instead, render the most powerful AV tool and remove Eking ransomware from your PC. Based on the VirusTotal[3] information, 47 AV engines out of 72 detect ransomware files a malicious. These are examples of AV detections:
- Trojan.GenericKD.33855769
- Malware@#jur7x0zvg9ce
- A Variant Of MSIL/Kryptik.VYW
- HEUR:Trojan-PSW.MSIL.Agensla.gen
- ML.Attribute.HighConfidence
- Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj]
- Gen:NN.ZemsilF.34110.vm0@aOGvnLi
- Trojan.GenericKD.33855769 (B), etc.
Eking ransomware is extremely dangerous not only because of the aggressive compromisation of personal files. Before running the cipher, the virus includes a malicious module into the Windows Task Manager and injects intrusive entries into the Windows Registry. Moreover, it alters the Windows boot sequence and provides itself administrative privileges. This way, criminals weaken the system's security, diminishes its performance, and can misuse the breach as a backdoor for other malicious viruses (trojan, RAT, or spyware).
Moreover, the Eking virus might initiate alterations on the security system, thus preventing AV programs from detecting it. In this case, the removal of the virus requires rebooting the system into Safe Mode with Networking or enabling System Restore. While in Safe Mode, use reliable antivirus software, for instance, Malwarebytes or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner to scan the machine and delete all malicious entries.
Once you remove Eking ransomware from the system, investigate all the methods that could be applied for data encryption. If you have backups, then a ransomware attack is not a big deal for you. If unfortunately, there are no backups, you can try third-party data recovery software or contact the ransomware researchers and ask them for help because there's no free Eking decryptor developed, at least not yet.
Finally, do not leave the system vulnerable after the Eking ransomware removal. As we have pointed before, the virus initiates a multitude of malicious activities on the system, which can lead to BSODs, errors, slowdowns, or infiltration of other malware. Optimize the system with ReimageIntego to restore its stability.
Tricky methods are used to disseminate ransomware viruses across the globe
Cybersecurity experts from Dieviren.de[4] claim that the bulk of ransomware infections steam from phishing emails and their malicious attachments (macros). These attachments are usually non-suspicious looking PDF files, Microsoft Office documents, and similar. The content of the message may mimic reputable banking, shipping, or healthcare companies. However, each time when the inbox gets a new message with an attachment, it's advisable to do the following:
- look for mistakes (grammar, typo, logic, etc.)
- double-check the sender
- scan the attachment with an anti-virus program
However, phishing emails are not the only way to transmit malware. In many cases, computers get infected after downloaded software from peer-to-peer networks. This applies to software, such as cracks, keygens, and similar illicit content. Therefore, it's important to very cautiously when using third-party torrenting services, such as The Pirate Bay. Also, do not forget to protect RDP configuration if you are using such service because remote desktop apps are also frequently exploited by criminals. Make sure to password protect the RDP and use it as a strong password as you can come up with.
Eking ransomware removal and .eking file recovery steps
Eking ransomware should be removed from the system as soon as you notice suchlike extension appended to your files. Don't forget that ransomware viruses are often supplemented with multiple payloads, so the longer it stays on the system, the more risk arises to get a trojan or spyware infection in the background.
Besides, it's important to remove the Eking virus before any attempts to recover locked files. Otherwise, the ransomware may strike again and re-encrypt the data. Elimination of this virus requires purchasing a full package of a really professional anti-virus program. We recommend using these Malwarebytes.
Also, upon Eking removal scan the system with ReimageIntego to restore its technical side to the state prior to the attack. Only after that take action to retrieve data that the virus encrypted. For that, you can use a decryption tutorial submitted by our security experts.
Getting rid of Eking virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
The ransomware may run specific processes within Task Manager that interfere with AV processes and prevent it from launching. In this case, restart the system into Safe Mode to launch the scanner.
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
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
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:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
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:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- 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).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- 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 Eking using System Restore
To remove all malicious settings on your machine and return it back to its previous state, you should activate the System Restore feature as explained below.
-
Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
-
Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
-
Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
-
Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
-
Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
-
When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Eking. After doing that, click Next.
-
Now click Yes to start system restore.
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Eking from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If your data got encrypted by Eking ransomware, do not fall for paying the ransom since no one can guarantee that paying will be the end of the problem. Instead, you should remove the virus and try alternative data decryption methods.
If your files are encrypted by Eking, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro may help to retrieve many of the encrypted files
Although Data Recovery Pro software has been developed for data recovery after the Windows crash, it has been tested with ransomware viruses and showed capabilities to unlock parts of data.
- 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 Eking ransomware;
- Restore them.
Take advantage of the in-built Previous Versions feature for data recovery
Previous Version feature allows Windows users to restore the settings of the system to a particular date. However, this feature won't work if you didn't have it enabled before.
- Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
- Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
- Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.
Shadow Explorer software can very helpful when trying to restore files after ransomware attacks.
Eking ransomware might run specific PowerShell commands that delete the Shadow Volume Copies of the files. Nevertheless, it's not yet clear whether it enables these commands or not, so at least try to recover some files using Shadow Explorer.
- Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
- Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
- Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
- Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.
Unfortunately, there's no way to decrypt files encrypted by Eking ransomware virus for free.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Eking and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting Eking 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.
If this free removal guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ M. Shahpasandi profile. Twitter. Social media network.
- ^ Why don't Adobe fight cracked vesions ?. Adobe Support Community. Official support website of the Adobe software.
- ^ zhPxaJRw.exe scan results. Virus Total. Free URL and file scanner.
- ^ SICHERHEIT- UND SPYWARE-NEUIGKEITEN. Dieviren. Daily virus and spyware news.