Do you know what Bitx Ransomware is?
Bitx Ransomware is one of the latest Crysis/Dharma Ransomware clones. It looks more or less the same as all other versions coming from this ransomware family, although there are some differences. For instance, the malware provides new contact information. If you keep reading our article, you can learn all about the malicious application’s working manner. Also, in the text, we discuss the ways this threat could be erased. If you end up receiving it and decide you want to erase it manually, you should have a look at our removal guide too. On the other hand, if deleting Bitx Ransomware appears to be more difficult than you thought it would be, you could employ a reputable antimalware tool that would take care of it for you.
Whether you have encountered Bitx Ransomware or not, you should know how it could be spread to protect your system from it or threats similar to it. Our cybersecurity specialists believe the malware might be spread through malicious email messages and file-sharing websites. Installers received via email might not necessarily look suspicious as they could be made to look like harmless files, for example, receipts, presentations, etc.
Thus, it should not matter how a file looks like. If it comes from a sender, you do not recognize, or under suspicious circumstances, such data should be scanned with a reputable antimalware tool first. As for malware’s installers that could be distributed through file-sharing sites, they could look like updates or setup files of popular applications. Needless to say that to avoid downloading fake setup files, updates, and content alike, it is advisable to get the installers you need from legitimate web pages. As for updates or patches, you should allow your computer to get them for you.
Bitx Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
If Bitx Ransomware is launched, it should create files that are listed in our removal guide. After completing this task, the malware should start encrypting files like pictures, photos, various documents, and so on. In other words, the threat should be after your personal files and not program data. During the encryption process, the targeted files should not only become encrypted and unreadable but also receive a second extension. The malicious application’s extension should be unique for each infected computer, for example, files on our test machine got marked with .id-3C9E097B.[1btc@qbmail.biz].bitx.
The next Bitx Ransomware’s step should be to display a ransom note, which ought to appear on a window called 1btc@qbmail.biz].bitx. It ought to say that you can get decryption tools to restore your files if you contact the malware’s creators. Also, it may suggest sending a single file for free decryption. This suggests that getting the needed decryption tools or getting all of your files decrypted could cost you. We recommend against putting up to hackers’ demands if you do not want to risk getting scammed and losing your money in vain. Hackers might promise anything, but, in the end, you cannot be certain that they will not scam you.
Lastly, our researchers advise deleting Bitx Ransomware because it might be able to auto start with the system, which means it could start encrypting new files every time it does so. To eliminate the threat manually, you could use our removal guide available below. Of course, if the process looks challenging, you should employ a reputable antimalware tool instead that would help you delete Bitx Ransomware faster.
Erase Bitx Ransomware
- Restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking.
- Press Windows Key+E.
- Locate these directories:
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%TEMP% - Find the malware’s launcher (suspicious recently downloaded file), right-click it, and select Delete.
- Find these directories:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%WINDIR%\System32
%APPDATA% - Find files called Info.hta, right-click them, and select Delete.
- Then go to these locations:
%WINDIR%\System32
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup - Look for malicious .exe files belonging to the threat, right-click them and choose Delete.
- Find a file called FILES ENCRYPTED.txt, right-click them, and select Delete.
- Close File Explorer.
- Press Windows Key+R.
- Type Regedit and click OK.
- Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Find three value names belonging to the malware, for example, mshta.exe, right-click malicious value names, and press Delete.
- Close Registry Editor.
- Empty Recycle Bin.
- Restart your computer.
In non-techie terms:
Bitx Ransomware was created by hackers who seek to encipher their victims’ data to make it unreadable. If a user becomes unable to access his documents, photos, and other valuable files, he might be willing to put up with hackers’ demands to get them decrypted. This is why cybercriminals behind such malicious applications program them not only to encrypt files but also to display a ransom note. The discussed malware’s note says its creators demand to be contacted via email. Also, it explains that it is possible to decrypt files with special decryption tools, which you can assume would cost you since the note says you can decrypt only one file free of charge. It is crucial to realize that hackers may promise you anything to make you pay, but there are no guarantees they will hold on to their end of the bargain. Thus, for users who fear they could lose their money in vain, we advise not to deal with the malware’s creators. To delete Bitx Ransomware instead, you could use the removal guide placed above or a reputable antimalware tool.