How to remove FRFO ransomware and recover encrypted files

 Easy tips for FRFO ransomware removal and files recovery

FRFO ransomware is a deadly computer infection, belongs to Matrix ransomware family. It is designed to encrypt stored files and demand ransom payment for the decryption. During the files encryption process, FRFO renames the filenames of each of the encrypted files by a string of random characters and .FRFO extension. For example, a file 1.jpg would become “[[email protected]].Uu4Yp4wx-Q2AOkq7e.FRFO”, “2.jpg” to “[[email protected]].Oh5Kg3sd-W4DPhv9r.FRFO”, and so on. Rightly after  this, the ransomware drops FRFO_INFO.rtf file that gives instruction to the users how they alleged recover the encrypted files by paying ransom.

As FRFO_INFO.rtf file states, files are not corrupted, they are encrypted using AES and RSA encryption algorithms. They get them back, the victims are suggested to write an email to the crooks behind FRFO ransomware via [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] email addresses. It is stated that the victims have only 48 hours for the contact. Once the time elapsed, the crooks claim to start selling the data to darknet. It is mentioned that, in another 48 hours, they will sell all encrypted files. At present, no decryption tool is available that can decrypt FRFO ransomware encrypted files. Even though, we recommend not to contact/ pay to evil people as they is a high chance of getting scammed – the crooks demand huge ransom money for providing the tool and once received, disappear leaving the victims without their files.

The best way to deal with this situation is to remove FRFO ransomware and recover the files using existing backups. The malware removal is necessary to prevent further files encryption and to avoid possible damages could be caused by the system infection with the ransomware. Also, after the ransomware removal, you can assure that there will be no interference of the threat during the files recovery process. Below the post, you will find complete step-by-step guide to perform FRFO ransomware elimination. Once the malware removal process is done, use the existing backup and recover the encrypted files. If you have no such backup option, check if the system has the Volume Shadow Copies available. In most cases, the Shadow Copies are left untouched during the system infection and files encryption process. If this is so with FRFO ransomware as well, you will automatically get a data recovery option.

Check below the post under the data recovery section for the guide on how to use shadow copies to recover encrypted files. Another data recovery option available for you is data recovery tool. Nowadays, such tools are designed with special functionalities added. So, you can hope that they will help you in files recovery encrypted by FRFO ransomware. Even if, the above mentioned methods will help you in recovering all encrypted files, you need not to lose hope as cyber security researchers are trying their best to crack the code and develop an official decryption tool. If they succeed, you will be able to get all encrypted files back for free or with some affordable price. Therefore, you should create a backup of all encrypted files before the FRFO ransomware removal is done so that you can use the decryption tool when release in future.

Text presented in the “FRFO_INFO.rtf” file:

Our congratulations. You become a victim of ransomware attack.

First оf аll wе hаvе tо infоrm уоu thаt уоur dаtа is nоt соrruptеd аnd саn bе rеstоrеd quiсklу аnd sаfеlу. Dоn’t wоrrу аbоut it. оur sоftwаrе wоrks pеrfесtlу.

Аs уоu саn sее аll уоur filеs wеrе еnсrуptеd аnd rеnаmеd. уоur dаtа is еnсrуptеd with а strоng сrуptо аlgоrithm АЕS+RSА. Уоu саn rеаd аbоut thеsе аlgоrithms in Gооglе. Уоur uniquе dесrуptiоn kеу is sесurеlу stоrеd оn оur sеrvеr аnd nо wау tо rеstоrе уоur dаtа withоut оur hеlp.

Аlsо аll intеrеsting vаluаblе аnd соnfidеntiаl dаtа wаs uplоаdеd tо оur sеrvеrs.

If уоu will nоt stаrt diаlоg with us in 48 hоurs wе will stаrt publishing уоur соnfidеntiаl dаtа in thе Dаrknеt. Аftеr 96 hоurs stоlеn pаrtnеrs аnd сliеnts соntасts will bе usеd fоr nеw rаnsоmwаrе аttасks. Аlsо, If pоssiblе, wе will sеll уоur dаtаbаsеs tо intеrеstеd pаrtiеs.

Plеаsе nоtе thаt уоu аrе nоt а rаndоm tаrgеt. Wе knоw thаt уоu аrе аblе tо pау аnd wе will dо оur bеst tо соmplеtе this аttасk with pауing а rаnsоm pауmеnt frоm уоur pаrt. If уоu dоn’t gеt in tоuсh, wе will lаunсh а DDоs аttасk оn уоur sitе аnd IT infrаstruсturе.

If уоu rеаllу wаnt tо sоlvе this situаtiоn уоu hаvе tо writе tо оur 3 еmаil аdrеssеs:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

In subjеct linе please writе уоur ID: –

Уоu саn аttасh up tо 3 smаll еnсrуptеd filеs fоr frее tеst dесrуptiоn. Wе will dесrуpt thеsе filеs fоr frее аnd sеnd thеm tо уоu. This will bе prооf fоr уоu thаt wе саn dесrуpt аll уоur dаtа. Plеаsе nоtе thаt filеs must nоt соntаin vаluаblе infоrmаtiоn.

Important!

* Wе аsking tо sеnd уоur mеssаgе tо аll оf оur 3 еmаil аdrеssеs bесаusе fоr vаriоus rеаsоns, уоur еmаil mау nоt bе dеlivеrеd.

* Оur mеssаgе mау bе rесоgnizеd аs spаm, sо bе surе tо сhесk thе spаm fоldеr.

* If wе dо nоt rеspоnd tо уоu within 24 hоurs, writе tо us frоm аnоthеr еmаil аddrеss. Usе Gmаil, уаhоо, Hоtmаil, оr аnу оthеr wеll-knоwn еmаil sеrviсе.

Important!

Plеаsе dоn’t wаstе thе timе, it will rеsult оnlу аdditinаl dаmаgе tо уоur соmpаnу!

Dоn’t trу tо fооl us, it will оnlу inсrеаsе thе priсе!

Wе аrе prоfеssiоnаls аnd just dоing оur jоb!

Wе аrе аlwауs оpеnеd fоr diаlоguе аnd rеаdу tо hеlp!

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How did FRFO ransomware enter computer system?

In most cases, users infect computers with ransomware or other malicious malware via spam mal-spam emails, untrustworthy file, software download sources, fake software updating tools, Trojans and unofficial software activation tools. Spam emails are designed and delivered by thousands in a large scale operation to make users think that they are received by some important documents from legit companies. Such documents are found as attachments such as files or links for such files, which include the malicious executable of the malicious malware and get downloaded, if users provide a click on them. Untrustworthy software downloading channels include 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 and directly download malware instead of providing updates. Trojans are malicious malware that are especially designed to download/ install malicious malware. Unofficial software activation tools cause system infection by allegedly bypassing activation keys for paid software.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

You should not open any attachments or website links provided in any emails whose senders addresses seem suspicious. Use only official websites and direct links for any software download. Avoid p2p networks, free file hosting sites and other untrustworthy sources mentioned in the previous paragraph. Similarly, use only official tools/functions for any software update/activation. Third party updaters and unofficial activation tools are often used to distribute malware. Also, it is not legal to use any cracking tool to activate software or use installers for pirated software. For safety, use some reputable antivirus tool that provides real time protection.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete FRFO ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove FRFO 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 FRFO ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with FRFO 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 FRFO 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 FRFO 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 FRFO 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 FRFO 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 FRFO 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 FRFO 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 FRFO 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 FRFO 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.