How to remove ONIX ransomware

ONIX ransomware – a malware form that comes from Major ransomware and adds the .ONIX appendix next to each filename after the encryption process

ONIX ransomware is a virtual parasite that has been discovered to come from Major ransomware family. The first to announce about this ransomware infection on Twitter was a computer security researcher named Amigo-A.^[1] The dangerous malware enters Windows computer systems unknowingly and aims to lock up all the documents and files that are placed on the device by marking all of them with the .ONIX appendix. For the encryption, ONIX ransomware employs ciphers such as AES, RSA, or SHA which hold specific codes that differ for each infected computer.

Right after that, the ransomware virus provides ransom demands via TRY_TO_READ.html message and also changes the desktop's background to the ransom note. The messages warn users not to try to unlock files by themselves as this can relate in permanent data loss. However, the main goal of ONIX ransomware is to encourage users to write via Ad_finem@tutanota.com, adfinem001@cock.li, and Ad_finem001@protonmail.com email addresses and discuss all the ransom price matters with the cybercriminals. 

ONIX ransomware is a dangerous malware string that has been detected as a virus by 58 antivirus engines out of the total 71. According to VirusTotal information,^[2] some of the detection names include ML.Attribute.HighConfidence,  Win32:Trojan-gen, Gen:Heur.Ransom.Imps.1 (B), A Variant Of Win32/Filecoder.NSN, Ransom:Win32/Crowti.P!MSR, and others.

ONIX virus uses stealth distribution techniques for appearing on the targeted computer system. This malware infects Windows operating systems only and looks for people who are using the English language. This is also the language in which the TRY_TO_READ.html ransom message is written in:

Onix
I am truly sorry to inform you that all your important files are crypted.
If you want to recover your encrypted files you need to follow a few steps. Do not try to decrypt your files with programs by the decoder
Do not try to decrypt your files with programs by the decoder you will only damage your data and lose them forever
Only we can decrypt your data, write to the original mails specified in this file, otherwise you will become a victim of scammers
Contact me on this email address Ad_finem@tutanota.com adfinem001@cock.li Ad_finem001@protonmail.com ”
Here is you personal id, send it to us
5983722101972518758
1.0.3

ONIX ransomware manipulates locations such as the Windows Registry and Task Manager in order to fill these areas with malicious processes and keys. All of these tasks are planted to help the malware to operate smoother and reach its goals.

For example, ONIX ransomware might disable your antivirus protection to avoid getting detected and to stay in your computer system for a longer period of time. This way the program could prevent some particular software from deleting the malware itself and all the malicious components that it has brought to the computer system.

Furthermore, ONIX ransomware includes some type of an executable to the Windows computer that scans the entire device for encryptable files and documents. This happens in certain periods of time, for example, half an hour, an hour, and so on in order to make sure that all components were properly locked by the malware. 

When ONIX ransomware applies the .ONIX encryption appendix to all of the files and documents found, the content gets locked and cannot be opened properly anymore. The only way to reverse the data back to its previous position is to get the decryption tool that would work. However, we suggest denying the option of buying the tool from the cybercriminals as these people might ask for inadequate amounts of money.

ONIX ransomware developers do not provide any particular information about the ransom demands, however, all of the conditions are likely to be discussed via email. We recommend avoiding any type of communication with the criminals. You might not even notice how they will scam you and run off with your money.

Most of the time, malicious actors are likely to urge large amounts of money starting anywhere from $100 and ending up with $2500 or even more. Always be careful with demands that come from malware such as ONIX ransomware and overthink everything twice before deciding whether the price is worth to pay or not.

Keep in mind that you are likely to be asked for cryptocurrency transfers by ONIX ransomware such as Bitcoin. These types of payments allow the cybercriminals to stay untrackable and anonymous so no one could discover the transactions.

ONIX ransomware might try to harden the data recovery process for the victims by running the vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet command via PowerShell. This way the malware will erase the Shadow Copies of all of the encrypted data and the users will not be able to employ software that could restore at least some of the locked files with the help of the deleted Shadow Copies.^[3]

To add, ONIX ransomware might target the Windows hosts file and aim to totally wreck them for their own purposes. This way the virus seeks to prevent the victim from accessing security-related networks, websites, and forums, where he/she could get reliable information on the malware removal process and data recovery task.

Furthermore, ONIX ransomware acts as a backdoor for other malware forms. The ransom-demanding threat makes the Windows computer vulnerable to other infections and increases the risk of getting attacked by dangerous virtual parasites such as Trojan viruses, spyware, worms, and others.

ONIX ransomware removal is the first step you should take the same minute you find the ransomware virus operating on your computer system. Keep in mind that you should not try to eliminate the cyber threat on your own as you can make damaging mistakes and hurt your computer system even more.

When you remove ONIX ransomware and all the bogus products that the malware has brought with the help of antimalware software, you should start looking for possible damage that might have been performed on your Windows computer. If you discover any affected areas, try repairing them with the help of software such as FortectIntego.

Note that you need to uninstall ONIX ransomware before you start taking any data recovery steps, otherwise, all of your files will be encrypted again. If you have terminated the cyber threat properly, you can start opting for file restoring solutions some of which we have provided at the end of this article.

Different techniques used for ransomware distribution

Cybersecurity experts from NoVirus.uk^[4] state that ransomware-related payload gets onto Windows computer systems through email spam and the malicious attachments that come clipped to the suspicious messages. Crooks pretend to be from reliable healthcare, shipping, or banking companies.

You should not open any attached component without scanning it with antimalware software. Also, if the email message has a hyperlink included, you should not enter it if the content of the email and the sender looks suspicious to you. Things to search for:

• A bogus sender email address such as repaircomputer@cock.li.
• The content is filled with grammar mistakes.
• You have received an email from a non-existing company.

Furthermore, ransomware infections can be pushed through malicious adverts that are also known as malvertising. The same can happen with hyperlinks that have a tendency to appear on third-party networks. The main thing to do here is to avoid entering suspicious-looking websites and closing all bogus pages that appear.

To add, ransomware viruses can get distributed through software cracks that are placed in peer-to-peer networks such as The Pirate Bay. Regarding this fact, use only reliable downloading sources for getting your wanted products and services.

Also, malicious actors search for vulnerable RDP configuration (one that includes weak passwords or none at all) and hack the port or brute force the password into the system and connect to the computer remotely. So, make sure that you always think of strong and reliable passwords that include some symbols, letters, and numbers.

Know about ONIX ransomware removal possibilities

If you are looking for ways to remove ONIX ransomware from your Windows machine, you have come to the right place. Our security experts claim that you should not try to eliminate the malware on your own as you might skip some malicious components and accidentally leave them on the computer system.

ONIX ransomware removal should be completed with the help of reliable antimalware software that is capable of detecting and eliminating the ransomware virus from your device. Afterward, scan the entire system for possible damage with SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. If these tools find any compromised areas, you can try repairing them with FortectIntego.

When you uninstall ONIX ransomware properly, it is time to start thinking about data recovery possibilities. Rather than taking risks to get scammed and paying the cybercriminals, you should try some other file restoring alternatives like the ones that we have provided at the end of this article.

Keep in mind that if ONIX ransomware has damaged your Windows hosts files, these components need to be eliminated too, otherwise, access to cybersecurity websites might still remain blocked even if the ransomware virus is no longer active.