RedEye ransomware can destroy files even without gaining any financial benefit for the hacker
RedEye ransomware - virus that displays disturbing content on your computer.
RedEye ransomware is a virus developed by the hacker iCoreX, who says to be responsible for creating Annabelle and Jigsaw viruses. This virus uses AES-256 Bit encryption algorithm and marks every file with .RedEye file extension. After the encryption, remaining files are left useless. Soon after that, a ransom note is generated and placed on the desktop. Additionally, victims hear a gruesome audio record, typically resulting in a jump-scare. The virus is capable of changing MBR (Master Boot Record) configuration and completely destroying the PC.
Name
RedEye
Creator
iCoreX
Type
Ransomware
Encryption method
AES-256
Extension
.RedEye
Ransom amount
0.1 BTC
Danger level
High. Encrypts files, modifies MBR and Windows registry, makes other changes to the PC. Can lead to permanent data loss
Distribution
Spam email attachments
Elimination
FortectIntego is ta best tool for RedEye ransomware removal
Usually, the virus infiltrates Windows computers when a user is tricked into opening an infected document provided in the spam email. It settles in the system immediately and makes various changes to boot on startup. Additionally, it downloads necessary files and components to launch a cyber attack.
Ransomware places this huge 35.0 MB file on your computer which contains images and audio files. Audio files scare the RedEye ransomware victims with creepy sounds. Three “.wav” files are placed:
child.wav;
redeye.wav;
suicide.wav.
These audio files are used to grab victims' attention and shock them. The scary sounds should motivate unsuspecting victims to look up for more information what is happening with their computers. Additionally, victims receive a ransom-demanding message:
All your personal files have been encrypted with a very strong key by RedEye! (Rijndael-Algorithmus – AES – 256 Bit) The only way to get your files back is: – Go to hxxp://redeye85x9tbxiyki.onion/tbxIyki – Enter your Personal ID and pay 0.1 Bitcoins to the adress below! After that you need to click on “Check Payment”. Then you will get a special key to unlock your computer. You got 4 days to pay, when the time is up, then your PC will be fully destroyed!
The ransom note is displayed in the program window which includes different tabs where the author of RedEye allows seeing the list of encrypted files, explains decryption, and even gives a support service. However, iCoreX also shows of his “talent” and advertises his YouTube channel on the MBR[1] window message.
If the timer of four days runs out, or when a user picks “Destroy PC” option (it leads to a GIF image with the “Do it” button, taunting the user to proceed. We obviously do not recommend clicking these buttons), the malware reboots the PC and replaces MBR with the creepy distorted Mona Lisa painting and following message:
RedEye Terminated your computer! The reason for that could be: – The time has expired – You clicked on the 'Destroy PC' button There is no way to fix your PC! Have Fun to try it 🙂
My YouTube Channel: iCoreX <- Subscribe 😛 Add me on discord! iCoreX#3333 <- Creator of Jigsaw, Annabelle & RedEye Ransomware! My old discord account named 'iCoreX#1337' got terminated by discord._
The developer claims that files are encrypted using a sophisticated algorithm – AES-256; however, according to the research data by Blaze,[2] RedEye virus overwrites or fills files with 0 bytes, making them unusable.
Nevertheless, we never recommend paying ransom after the ransomware attack. However, this time it might not be even possible. The payment link is offline at the moment of writing. Though, it doesn't seem that any victim has paid the ransom and can confirm whether the hacker has working decryption software or not.
RedEye ransomware is a dangerous virus that encrypts your files and plays scary sounds in the background.
However, some of the files encrypted by RedEye virus can be still decrypted even if you do not have backups. But before that, you need to terminate this malicious program from your computer. The functionality of the ransomware is destructive. Apart from encrypting data malware also:
These features make RedEye ransomware removal difficult. Additionally, malware uses ConfuserEx and compression to protect the binary.
In order to get rid of the virus, you have to use reputable anti-malware software, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. However, before downloading and installing security tool, you should reboot the computer to Safe Mode with Networking.
You should not delay virus elimination. The hacker in the ransom note is not bluffing, malware can actually cause irreparable damage to the machine. The only way to have a possibility of file recovery is by catching malware in the act. Thus, remove RedEye ransomware as soon as you hear creepy sounds and receive a threatening message on the screen.
Watch out for spam emails to avoid malware attack
Phishing emails are very popular among developers of ransomware. This is the primary distribution method that relies on social engineering. Crooks create legit-looking emails and include infected attachments. They tell various stories and urge to open a provided document. Many users cannot suspect anything because these files look like ordinary Word or PDF files.
Viruset.no[4] security specialist team advise you to check your emails very carefully before opening the attachment:
Is the sender's address legit? If it does not represent a legitimate organization or does not match with the sender's credentials in the signature, it's clearly malicious.
Do you expect to receive such email? If you haven't ordered anything from Amazon or you do not expect FedEx to bring you some parcel, stay away from emails sent from these companies. Crooks usually use the names of popular companies to scam people.
Is there grammar mistakes? Worse spelling or ridiculous grammar mistakes are the clear sign that the message is sent by cyber criminals.
Is it in the spam folder? Emails arrive in this folder for a reason. Something is wrong with them. Most of the time, they are used for phishing or spread malware.
If there are no subject line or the body of the letter is empty, do not open the attachment. It's definitely dangerous.
No matter how scary the displayed content is - remove the virus and proceed with file recovery. Do not fulfill hacker's demands!
Delete RedEye ransomware from your computer by following our guide
For RedEye ransomware removal, you need to use anti-malware programs like FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes. We are trusting these, but you can use any other certified tools. Elimination of any ransomware is essential for the whole computer system. But keep in mind that virus elimination does not recover corrupted files. For that, you will need additional tools.
In order to remove RedEye virus, you have to run your PC in Safe Mode with Networking or try System Restore (if malware does not disable this feature). Only then, you should be able to install, update and run preferred security software to clean malware from the system.
We have prepared instructions how to get rid of the virus and provided data recovery possibilities for those who do not have data backups. You can find them below.
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.
Firstly, you have to reboot your system in Safe Mode with Networking. Then, you can install security program and scan the system a couple of times.
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 RedEye using System Restore
If the previous method is not working, you should try System Restore feature
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 RedEye. After doing that, click Next.
Now click Yes to start system restore.
Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that RedEye removal is performed successfully.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove RedEye 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 RedEye, you can use several methods to restore them:
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.
Decryption tool is not available
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from RedEye and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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