Fhkf ransomware (virus) - Decryption Steps Included
Fhkf virus Removal Guide
What is Fhkf ransomware?
Fhkf file virus is an encryption-based threat that asks for money directly from victims
Fhkf ransomware can be installed by the user unknowingly, but the infiltration is not noticed or avoided. The infection starts with other processes, but the only symptom is file-locking. Data gets locked by encryption and then marked using .fhkf file appendix that comes after the original filename and the type of the piece. The threat then can demand money from people by stating that the only way to get files recovered is by paying this ransom.
The notorious infection drops the _readme.txt file that is the message from these creators focused on the money. Fhkf virus is not new, the threat belongs to a Djvu ransomware virus family and is coming after other 370 variants. This file is named the same for years, the text in the message also hasn't been changed for a while. These versions come out each week, and the only things that get changed are file extensions, contact emails.
The threat can be extremely persistent because over the years these threat actors can make advanced changes and improvements to the product. Fhkf ransomware demands the ransom that starts with $490 because criminals try to convince people into paying the group of criminals.
There are no recommendations from experts[1] to pay up. Bitcoins are commonly chosen because of their popularity, but transferring funds like this cannot ensure file recovery. Criminals can send you malware instead of the decryption tool, so do not fall for their tricks.
| Name | Fhkf ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | File-locker, cryptovirus |
| Family | STOP virus/ Djvu ransomware |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt |
| File appendix | .fhkf |
| Contact information | support@sysmail.ch, helprestoremanager@airmail.cc |
| Ransom amount | $490/ $980 |
| Distribution | Files with payload of the ransomware get included in pirating packages, added to emails as attachments. It mainly comes with deceptive messages or software cracking bundles |
| Elimination | Anti-malware tools can help with the termination when the proper system scan is based on virus detection rates[2] |
| Repair | Try running the FortectIntego for the system repair purpose since the malware damages various files and alters settings to ensure persistence of the threat |
The family of dangerous threats
Fhkf virus is known for years now, and the recent changes completely changed the danger level of the threat. With the release of new variants, Djvu ransomware is becoming more and more sophisticated. The latest updates to this virus show no signs of decryption being possible as they altered their encryption procedures from previous versions.
The latest versions of this ransomware family are not decryptable, even though the previous ones have been. Those include Zaqi, Miia, Nqhd. Since August 2019, threat group has implemented changes to ensure the persistence and danger of this threat. The alterations were done to file encryption procedures, and evading detection techniques affected persistence for this whole family – with Fhkf being its last member released so far!
Cybercriminals behind the attack can ask for a ransom payment in return for unique keys that will unlock your files. However, these claims from Fhkf ransomware are false and cannot be trusted. Paying them isn't recovering any encrypted data on the machine and even contacting these criminals can lead to issues with additional infections or security.
There are particular things that haven't been altered for years, and the family still successfully releases new versions every few days. It was the big year for the threat actors, and they managed to minimally alter the code and leave the contact emails, ransom note name and text, the amount demanded, contact information the same for all of the variants.
The _readme.txt reads:
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-ZYodHvPkHI
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
If your computer got infected with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone – it only works if data was locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers. The Fhkf file virus uses mainly online keys now to keep the decrytpion options outside of the criminal operations limited.
Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately. Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files – one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.
- Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
- After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up – click it.
![Fhkf ransomware]( "Fhkf ransomware")
- If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
- Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
![Fhkf ransomware]( "Fhkf ransomware")
- After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
- The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
![Fhkf ransomware]( "Fhkf ransomware")
- Press Decrypt.
Removing the infection
Malware is a virus that can be downloaded to your computer without you knowing, and it starts the operations immediately. It is not preventable when access to your machine is already initiated. The best way is to remove this Fhkf virus quickly by relying on detection tools. These methods are included in tools like antivirus software like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
Don't pay them anything unless it's absolutely necessary. Companies know that the opportunity to get files repaired or recovered back to the previous stage is slim, so big organizations that suffer from ransomware attacks do not pay.[3] You shouldn't even think about contacting these criminals too.
It's no surprise that you're worried about your data. It is imperative, however, to remove the infection before making any decisions on what should be done with it. Once the machine is cleared from threats, do not forget about altered settings and system damage too. Fhkf ransomware can leave leftovers, cause issues with the performance and significantly affect data recovery procedures.
The infection 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 capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is. Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstallation is required.
Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of FortectIntego repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.
- Download the application by clicking on the link above
- Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
![Reimage download]( "Reimage download")
- If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
- Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
![Reimage installation]( "Reimage installation")
- The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
![Reimage scan]( "Reimage scan")
- 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.
Possible options for the file recovery
Fhkf file virus is a type of malware that infects your computer when you open an infected email or download cracked software. In some cases, it might also be included in games or game cheats and updates from untrustworthy sources online. Torrent sites, pirating platforms, and other free download sites can be used to spread these threats.
You can protect yourself by only using trustworthy programs downloaded directly through official websites like Google Play Store. Cracking tools are used by hackers to activate legitimate software. It is illegal for you to use pirated programs, and a big part of the cracking tool or installer contains malware that will infect your computer with threats like Fhkf ransomware when opened.
The infection can affect more than data that is locked with the help of encryption algorithms. The threat creates frustration, and users mainly worry about the affected files. If the virus is completely removed and processes get terminated, the encryption cannot happen again.
Fhkf virus is capable of affecting the machine again if the new data gets added to the system. It is important to remove the threat and repair the performance fully, so there are no risks of getting data encrypted again. The sooner you do so the better because you can move on to file recovery without the risk of permanent damage to your machine or financial losses.
Since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently. Paying criminals is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool.
While this might sound terrible, not all is lost – data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.). Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you.
Therefore, we suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:
- Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
- Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.
Install data recovery software
- Download Data Recovery Pro.
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
![Fhkf ransomware]( "Fhkf ransomware")
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
- Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
![Select what to recover]( "Select what to recover")
- Press Next.
- At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
![Select Deep scan]( "Select Deep scan")
- Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
![Scan]( "Scan")
- You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
- Press Recover to retrieve your files.
Getting rid of Fhkf virus. Follow these steps
Restore Windows "hosts" file to its original state
Some ransomware might modify Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing certain websites online. For example, Djvu ransomware variants add dozens of entries containing URLs of security-related websites, such as 2-spyware.com. Each of the entries means that users will not be able to access the listed web addresses and will receive an error instead.
Here's an example of “hosts” file entries that were injected by ransomware:
In order to restore your ability to access all websites without restrictions, you should either delete the file (Windows will automatically recreate it) or remove all the malware-created entries. If you have never touched the “hosts” file before, you should simply delete it by marking it and pressing Shift + Del on your keyboard. For that, navigate to the following location:
C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
One of the many countermeasures for home users against ransomware is data backups. Even if your Windows get corrupted, you can reinstall everything from scratch and retrieve files from backups with minimal losses overall. Most importantly, you would not have to pay cybercriminals and risk your money as well.
Therefore, if you have already dealt with a ransomware attack, we strongly advise you to prepare backups for future use. There are two options available to you:
- Backup on a physical external drive, such as a USB flash drive or external HDD.
- Use cloud storage services.
The first method is not that convenient, however, as backups need to constantly be updated manually – although it is very reliable. Therefore, we highly advise choosing cloud storage instead – it is easy to set up and efficient to sustain. The problem with it is that storage space is limited unless you want to pay for the subscription.
Using Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is a built-in tool that comes with every modern Windows version. By default, you get 5 GB of storage that you can use for free. You can increase that storage space, but for a price. Here's how to setup backups for OneDrive:
- Click on the OneDrive icon within your system tray.
- Select Help & Settings > Settings.
- If you don't see your email under the Account tab, you should click Add an account and proceed with the on-screen instructions to set yourself up.
- Once done, move to the Backup tab and click Manage backup.
- Select Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, or a combination of whichever folders you want to backup.
- Press Start backup.
After this, all the files that are imported into the above-mentioned folders will be automatically backed for you. If you want to add other folders or files, you have to do that manually. For that, open File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard, and then click on the OneDrive icon. You should drag and drop folders you want to backup (or you can use Copy/Paste as well).
Using Google Drive
Google Drive is another great solution for free backups. The good news is that you get as much as 15GB for free by choosing this storage. There are also paid versions available, with significantly more storage to choose from.
You can access Google Drive via the web browser or use a desktop app you can download on the official website. If you want your files to be synced automatically, you will have to download the app, however.
- Download the Google Drive app installer and click on it.
- Wait a few seconds for it to be installed.
- Now click the arrow within your system tray – you should see Google Drive icon there, click it once.
- Click Get Started.
- Enter all the required information – your email/phone, and password.
- Now pick what you want to sync and backup. You can click on Choose Folder to add additional folders to the list.
- Once done, pick Next.
- Now you can select to sync items to be visible on your computer.
- Finally, press Start and wait till the sync is complete. Your files are now being backed up.
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a huge business that is highly illegal, and authorities are very involved in catching malware operators. To have increased chances of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help with stopping the cybercriminal activities and catching the threat actors. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, examples of encrypted files, or malware executables would also be beneficial.
Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:
- USA – Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
- United Kingdom – ActionFraud
- Canada – Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia – ScamWatch
- New Zealand – ConsumerProtection
- Germany – Polizei
- France – Ministère de l'Intérieur
If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.
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
- 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.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Fhkf and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
If this free 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.
- ^ Dieviren. Dieviren. Virus removal guides and news.
- ^ Detection rate. VirusTotal. Online malware scanner.
- ^ ansomware Reality Shock: 92% Who Pay Don’t Get Their Data Back. Forbes. Global media.