Do you know what '.onion File Extension' Ransomware is?
If '.onion File Extension' Ransomware has invaded your operating system, your personal files – such as documents and private photos – are now encrypted. According to our research, this extension indicates that your operating system was invaded by Dharma Ransomware, which has quite a few different versions. Other versions of this infection were known for appending such extensions as “.[lavandos@dr.com].wallet” and “[bitcoin143@india.com].dharma”. The latest version attaches the “.id-[unique ID numbers and letters].[felix_dies@aol.com].onion” extension. All in all, the infection works the same in every case, and you are dealing with the same issues regardless of the version. If you expect to have your files decrypted after you remove the .onion File Extension or delete Dharma Ransomware components, you are wrong. The only thing that can unlock your files is a decryption key, and it is unlikely that you can get your hands on it.
If you find the '.onion File Extension' attached to your personal files, we should find a file called “BACK DATA BASE.txt” on the Desktop. According to the message within the file, your files were encrypted using the “latest encryption algorithm,” and you must email felix_dies@aol.com or felix_dies@zoho.eu to recover them. If you consider contacting cyber criminals, you should not use your personal/work email because you do not want them recording it. If you have used your personal email address already, beware of corrupted spam emails that could be sent to you. Unfortunately, Dharma Ransomware encrypts files using the AES encryption algorithm, and you need a decryption key to unlock your files. The creator of this ransomware might promise to provide you with this key as soon as you pay a ransom fee, but you should not rush to pay it because that is extremely risky.
ATLAS Ransomware, Faizal Ransomware, Malabu Ransomware, and most other ransomware threats that are analyzed on this site were created to make a profit. Unfortunately, threats from this group rarely provide their victims with the decryptors that they need to have their personal files freed. That means that if you choose to fulfill the demands introduced by '.onion File Extension' Ransomware, it is most likely to you will lose your money as well. What about third-party file decryptors? Unfortunately, they are usually helpless. If you are trying to use a file decryptor, make sure you do not install a fictitious one that might have been created by cyber criminals as well. If you come to terms with the fact that your files are lost, do not rush to remove them. Although the chances of a decryption key being released are very slim, it has happened before, and so you should store the corrupted file in a separate folder just in case. Hopefully, your files are backed up, and you can recover them.
As you now know, you cannot decrypt your files by deleting '.onion File Extension' Ransomware; however, this infection deserves removal, and we recommend getting rid of it ASAP. If you want to eliminate Dharma Ransomware manually, you need to find its launcher, and that might be the hardest part. If you can identify and erase this file, all you have to do is get rid of the ransom note file. Of course, you should scan your operating system using a trusted malware scanner afterward, and that is something we recommend to anyone who is deleting malware manually. Another option you have is to use anti-malware software, and this is the option we recommend because this software also supports overall protection, which is what you need to prevent ransomware from attacking again.
Remove '.onion File Extension' Ransomware
- Right-click the {random name}.exe launcher file.
- Select Delete to eliminate the ransomware launcher.
- Right-click the ransom file BACK DATA BASE.txt.
- Select Delete and then Empty Recycle Bin.
- Run a full system scan to check for leftovers.
In non-techie terms:
The malicious '.onion File Extension' Ransomware – also known as Dharma Ransomware – is a serious infection that is most likely to attack using corrupted spam emails. Once this infection is activated, it encrypts files and adds the “.id-[unique characters].[felix_dies@aol.com].onion” extension to them. If you eliminate the extension or remove the ransomware, your files will remain locked. Unfortunately, you need a decryption key, but obtaining it might be impossible. Although the creator of the ransomware suggests that you can receive the key as soon as you pay the ransom, trusting cyber criminals is never a good idea. According to our research team, in most cases, ransomware victims are left standing without their files or their money, and so you have to think carefully if you want to pay the ransom. Afterward, you need to remove the ransomware, and we advise using anti-malware software for that. If you decide to delete the infection manually (you have to eliminate the launcher file), you will need to protect your operating system anyway, and anti-malware software is already set up to do that.