How to remove Dex ransomware and recover encrypted files

Complete Dex ransomware removal guide

Dex ransomware is a huge risk ransomware infection, and a part of Dharma ransomware group. It is designed to encrypt stored files and demand ransom payment for the decryption. During encryption process, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files with the following pattern: victims’ ID, [email protected] email address and .dex extension. Following to this, the ransomware creates FILES ENCRYPTED.txt file and displays a pop-up window.

As explained in the ransom notes (FILES ENCRYPTED.txt file and the pop-up window), victims have to contact to the crooks behind Dex ransomware via the provided email address ([email protected] or dex.dex.tuta.io), if they want the data back. According to them, the contact is necessary to get the unique decryption tool/ key that can decrypt the files encrypted by .dex file virus. The people are warned not to rename the filenames of the encrypted files or try to decrypt them using any third party software as this might result into permanent data loss. Here is the full text presented on the pop-up window:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

Don’t worry,you can return all your files!

If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID –

If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:dex.dex.tuta.io

Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

The FILES.ENCRYPTED.txt file dropped by Dex ransomware shows the following text:

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

write email [email protected] or dex.dex.tuta.io

Unfortunately, there is no tool available at present that can decrypt the encrypted files by Dex ransomware for free. Paying/ contacting the crooks are highly not recommended as the people behind it are not trusted. People who pay/contact them are likely to get scammed. They will receive no decryption tool even after the payment. In such a case, they suffer huge financial loss and their files will remain encrypted. The best way to deal with this case is to remove Dex ransomware and recover the files using backups. The malware removal is necessary to prevent further files encryption and to avoid possible system damage. If you have no backup files, you should check whether shadow copies are available or not- follow the guide below the post to know how to check whether shadow copies are available or not and to use this option to recover the encrypted files. Also, there you will find complete stepwise guide for the Dex ransomware removal.

How did Dex ransomware intrude in?

Usually, people infect their device with ransomware or other malware through mal-spam emails, untrustworthy download sources, and fake software updating tools, Trojans and unofficial software activation tools. In the first case, they cause this when they download and open malicious files sent through spam emails. Usually, such emails contain malicious Microsoft Office documents, archive files, PDF documents, and executables or JavaScript files and so on. Untrustworthy downloading sources such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers spread malware by presenting it as legit software. Fake software updaters exploit bugs/ flaws of outdated software or directly download malware instead of updating software. Trojans are malicious apps that are especially designed to download/ install other malicious malware. Cracking tools are illegal programs that can be used with a purpose to activate licensed software for free. However, quite often such tools do not bypass the activation/ registration and install some malware instead.

Threat Summary

Type: Ransomware

Family: Dharma ransomware group

Extension use:   .dex

Ransom note:    Pop-up window, FILES ENCRYPTED.txt

Cybercriminals’ contact: [email protected], dex.dex.tuta.io

Symptoms: Stored files become inaccessible, and their filename gets renamed. Ransom demanding message is displayed on the desktop. Cyber crooks demand ransom payment for the files decryption.

Distribution methods: infected email attachments, torrent sites and malicious ads

Damages: Risk of password stealing Trojan or other dangerous virus intrusion that cause direct damage to the system/software installed

Removal: Use some reputable antivirus tool or follow below mentioned step by step instruction to remove Dex ransomware from the system

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Software and files should be downloaded from official websites and direct links only. Other sources like third party downloaders, unofficial pages, p2p networks, freeware download sites and so on, should not be used neither to download nor install any files or programs. Attachments and website links in any irrelevant emails received from any unknown, suspicious addresses should never be opened as well. Installed programs should be updated/ activated with the tools provided by official software developers only. No third party updaters/ activators should be used as they often download/ install malware. Also, it is not legal to use any unofficial activation tools to activate any software. And finally, have a reputable antivirus tool and keep it up-to-date. Also, use this tool for regular system scan and to remove any detected threats.

Easy Dex ransomware removal guide

Complete step-by-step guide to perform Dex ransomware removal is provided below. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove Dex ransomware from the system.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Dex ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Dex ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Dex ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete Dex ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Dex ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Dex ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Dex ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Dex ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by Dex ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Dex ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Dex ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Dex ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Dex ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.