Foxy ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Guide) - Quick Decryption Solution
Foxy virus Removal Guide
What is Foxy ransomware virus?
Foxy ransomware is based on the infamous Hidden Tear code
Foxy ransomware is a file-encrypting virus that is based on the source code of an infamous Hidden Tear ransomware. Just like any other crypto virus, this one is designed to encrypt the files on the victimized computer, lock its screen and demand a ransom for a decryption tool. After the malware finishes its job, it appends a .nightmare file extension to the corrupted files.
Once Foxy virus is on the system, it drops WindowsSoundDriver.exe executable file and starts data encryption. To gain even more success, hackers use a powerful cipher[1] to encode mostly used files on the computer. It may include images, documents, databases and other valuable information.
Moreover, to intimidate people even more, criminals include a countdown tool and threaten them to delete the encrypted data if the victim fails to pay a ransom within given time period. A vast of people might panic, but we and analysts from NoVirus.uk[2] encourage you to resist the Foxy virus attack and do not follow the given rules.
Be aware that there are no guarantee that hackers will provide you a right decrypter after you transact the money. They can manipulate their power and ask you to pay even more money in exchange for the decryption code. In order to avoid financial losses, you should remove Foxy ransomware and focus on the alternative methods to retrieve your data.
Besides, do not try to search for decryption tools offered online. In most cases, scammers take advantage of desperate people and trick them to purchase expensive and useless decryptors. Instead, start Foxy virus removal by picking a professional anti-malware software. We highly recommend choosing FortectIntego or Malwarebytes since it will quickly eliminate the infection and prevent criminals from obtaining illegal profits. Afterwards, you will be able to try to recover your data from backup copies[3].
Ransomware spotted spreading as a fake Windows Audio Driver application
Cybersecurity experts say that ransomware is distributed via fake Windows Audio Driver program on the internet. Despite how many warnings people have seen, they still do not take precautionary measures. Developers spread an executable file of the virus which looks like a legitimate program.
To avoid the infiltration of the ransomware, scan the files you attempt to download beforehand. Also, criminals often take advantage of system vulnerabilities when developing high-risk computer infections. Thus, it is necessary always to use a powerful security software and update it regularly.
Besides, we advise you to monitor your activity on the internet attentively — there are other malware distribution methods used worldwide, such as malspam campaigns, infected hyperlinks or ads redirecting to malicious websites. You should take every possible precautionary measure to avoid the installation of the virus.
Employ a powerful anti-malware software to remove Foxy ransomware from your PC
It is not a secret that ransomware is the most dangerous type of malware you can encounter. Therefore, trying to remove Foxy virus by yourself might do even more harm to your computer. If you opt for a manual elimination, our team has prepared a step-by-step guide to ensure that you get rid of the ransomware properly. Strictly follow the guide since skipping even one step might damage your system irreversibly.
However, our primary recommendation would be to download a security software for Foxy ransomware removal. Pick a professional anti-malware application from authorized developers, reboot your computer to Safe Mode and let it scan your files. This way you will make sure that not only the ransomware will be entirely eliminated, but your computer will be taken care of in the future as well.
Getting rid of Foxy virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Foxy ransomware might be programmed to block the installation of a security software. To circumvent the ransomware system, you should reboot your computer to Safe Mode. Steps provided below will guide you through the process:
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 Foxy using System Restore
If the first method failed and the virus still doesn't allow you to get an anti-malware program, you should try to reboot your PC to Safe Mode using Command Prompt function.
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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.
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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.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Foxy. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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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 Foxy from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If you have encountered a ransomware, there are several alternative recovery methods that can help you:
If your files are encrypted by Foxy, you can use several methods to restore them:
Recover your data encrypted by Foxy virus with the help of Data Recovery Pro tool
Developers of Data Recovery Pro created it to help victims in case of ransomware attack or if they accidentally delete files. If your files contain .nightmare extension, you should definitely give it a try:
- 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 Foxy ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions feature might bring back the most valuable data
To retrieve your data you should check whether System Restore function was enabled on your PC. If it was, follow the steps provided below and get the access to the most important files:
- 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”.
Try ShadowExplorer
If Foxy virus was not able to delete the Shadow Volume Copies from your PC, try to recover your files with this tool:
- 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.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Foxy 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.
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- ^ John Carl Villanueva. An Introduction To Cipher Suites. Jscape. Managed File Transfer and Network Solutions.
- ^ NoVirus. NoVirus. Security and Spyware News.
- ^ Ryan Harnedy. 3 Better Ways to Use Backup to Recover from Ransomware. Barkly. Endpoint Security Blog.