A new version of a ransomware virus dubbed Serpent has slithered onto people’s Windows PCs. The virus is named after the .srpx ransomware virus extension. The ransom note of the threat is contained in a file README_TO_RESTORE_FILES_t7Q.txt.
Manual Removal Guide
Recover .srpx Files
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How .srpx Virus File Penetrates the System
The infection can infiltrate the system using different cunning approaches. One popular way for .srpx file virus distribution is spam emails. Such spam email may pretend to be sent from legitimate and well-known sources like PayPal, Windows, and your bank or telephone operator. The threat payload may be provided as a malicious link or a vicious attachment. Be careful and think wisely before clicking on any suspicious advertisements displayed in dubious sites as they may land you on ransomware infected website. Sometimes malicious intenders may mask successfully .srpx crypto virus as fake software update notifications that urge you to click a button or take some action that will install the payload on the computer.
Damages Caused by .srpx Virus File
The .srpx crypto virus is a data locker ransomware that appears to be a new version of the infamous Serpent ransomware.Serpent ransomware was released in February this year and till then its authors have rolled one more variant that uses the malicious extension .serp. Now its third iteration dubbed .srpx virus file is spotted to infect PCs and corrupt stored files.
The .srpx virus file infection is triggered by an executable file running on the system. It can control all malicious actions performed by the ransomware. In addition, the threat may drop other malicious files on the system to complete all stages of the infection. These malicious files may be dropped or created in following folders:
- %UserProfile%
%AppData%
%Temp%
%Roaming%
%Common%
When all infection files are available on the system, .srpx virus file scans the drives to find all files set in its predefined target list. Reports on threat samples reveal that the following file extensions are set as targets in its list:
.2011, .2012, .2013, .2014, .2015, .2016, .2017, .3dm, .7zip, .accd, .accdb, .accde, .accdr, .accdt, .aepx, .agdl, .aiff, .aspx, .back, .backup, .backupdb, .bank, .blend, .btif, .cdr3, .cdr4, .cdr5, .cdr6, .cdrw, .cfdi, .clas, .class, .cntk, .config, .craw, .db-journal, .db_journal, .ddoc, .ddrw, .defx, .design, .djvu, .docb, .docm, .docx, .dotm, .dotx, .dtau, .efsl, .erbsql, .fcpa, .fcpr, .flac, .flvv, .gray, .grey, .groups, .html, .iban, .ibank, .idml, .incpas, .indb, .indd, .indl, .indt, .int?, .intu, .java, .jpeg, .jsda, .kdbx, .kpdx, .laccdb, .lay6, .m2ts, .m3u8, .mbsb, .meta, .mhtm, .mone, .moneywell, .mpeg, .ms11, .myox, .nvram, .pages, .pcif, .php5, .phtml, .plus_muhd, .potm, .potx, .ppam, .ppsm, .ppsx, .pptm, .pptx, .prel, .prpr, .psafe3, .pspimage, .ptdb, .qb20, .qbmb, .qbmd, .qcow, .qcow2, .qdfx, .qmtf, .quic, .qwmo, .resx, .s3db, .safe, .sas7bdat, .save, .seam, .sldm, .sldx, .sqli, .sqlite, .sqlitedb, .tax0, .tax1, .tax2, .text, .tiff, .tt10, .tt11, .tt12, .tt13, .tt14, .tt15, .tt20, .vbox, .vbpf, .vhdx, .vmdk, .vmsd, .vmxf, .wallet, .xhtm, .xlam, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xltm, .xltx, .ycbcra, .zipx
All files in the folders below and other will be encrypted by Serpent ransomware and renamed with the .srpx file extension:
- Desktop
- Documents
- Downloads
- Music
- Pictures
- Videos
Once the encryption is done, the virus will display its ransom note on the PC screen and all it reads is:
==== NEED HELP WITH TRANSLATE? USE https://translate.google.com ====
================ PLEASE READ THIS MESSAGE CAREFULLY ================
Your documents, photos, videos, databases and other important files have been encrypted!
The files have been encrypted using AES256 and RSA2048 encryption (unbreakable)
To decrypt your files you need to buy the special software ‘Serpent Decrypter’.
You can buy this software on one of the websites below.
xxxx://hmkwegza.pw/E5A78924-C9CD1137-FB02A7CA-27D45F
xxxx://hnxrvobhgm.pw/E5A78924-C9CD1137-FB02A7CA-27D45F
If the websites above do not work you can use a special website on the TOR network. Follow the steps below
1. Download the TOR browser https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en#downloads
2. Inside the TOR browser brower navigate to : 3o4kqe6khkfgx25g.onion/ E5A78924-C9CD1137-FB02A7CA-27D45F
3. Follow the instructions to buy ‘Serpent Decrypter’
================ PLEASE READ THIS MESSAGE CAREFULLY ================
The .srpx virus file is developed to generate a unique decryption key during the encryption process. The key is possessed by cyber criminals, and they extort victims for a ransom payment. They claim that when the payment of 0.25 up to 0.75 in bitcoins is transferred to their Bitcoin address, they will recover all .srpx files. However, this step should be skipped as it is highly possible that money will be lost and .srpx files still encrypted because criminals seldom keep their promises. For the sake of your security, you should remove .srpx file virus completely from the infected computer and then attempt to restore .srpx files by using alternative data recovery solutions. You can follow the detailed removal guide below and find data recovery options.
Remove .srpx Virus File and Restore Data
WARNING! Manual removal of .srpx Virus File requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removing important data accidentally can lead to permanent system damage. If you don’t feel comfortable with manual instructions, download a powerful anti-malware tool that will scan your system for malware and clean it safely for you.
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.srpx Virus File – Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps bellow are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the WIN Key + R
2. A Run window will appear. In it, write msconfig and then press Enter
3. A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named Boot
4. Mark Safe Boot option and then go to Network under it to tick it too
5. Apply -> OK
Show Hidden Files
Some ransomware threats are designed to hide their malicious files in the Windows so all files stored on the system should be visible.
1. Open My Computer/This PC
2. Windows 7
- – Click on Organize button
– Select Folder and search options
– Select the View tab
– Go under Hidden files and folders and mark Show hidden files and folders option
3. Windows 8/ 10
- – Open View tab
– Mark Hidden items option
4. Click Apply and then OK button
Enter Windows Task Manager and Stop Malicious Processes
1. Hit the following key combination: CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
2. Get over to Processes
3. When you find suspicious process right click on it and select Open File Location
4. Go back to Task Manager and end the malicious process. Right click on it again and choose End Process
5. Next, you should go folder where the malicious file is located and delete it
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit and hit Enter
3. Type the CTRL+ F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4. In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
Recover .OXR Files
WARNING! All files and objects associated with .srpx Virus File should be removed from the infected PC before any data recovery attempts. Otherwise the virus may encrypt restored files. Furthermore, a backup of all encrypted files stored on external media is highly recommendable.
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1. Use present backups
2. Use professional data recovery software
Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery – a specialist tool that can restore partitions, data, documents, photos, and 300 more file types lost during various types of incidents and corruption.
3. Using System Restore Point
- – Hit WIN Key
– Select “Open System Restore” and follow the steps
4. Restore your personal files using File History
- – Hit WIN Key
– Type restore your files in the search box
– Select Restore your files with File History
– Choose a folder or type the name of the file in the search bar
– Hit the “Restore” button
