Remove CDMX Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .cdmx Files)
Cdmx virus is a sort of computer virus that infiltrates your system, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these unwanted activities, that virus also alters some important settings and can even disable your antivirus program.
| Name | Cdmx virus |
| Type | STOP/Djvu Ransomware |
| Files | .cdmx |
| Message | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | $490/$980 |
| Contact | support@fishmail.top, datarestorehelp@airmail.cc |
| Damage | All files are encrypted and cannot be opened without paying a ransom. Additional password-stealing trojans and malware infections can be installed together with a ransomware infection. |
| Cdmx Removal Tool | To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license. 6 days free trial available. |
Cdmx ransomware – what is it?
Cdmx ransomware can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That sort of malware is targeted at individuals. This feature supposes that Cdmx does not bring any sort of additional viruses, which sometimes helps malware of various other families to control your PC. Since most users do not have anything valuable , there is no reason to carry additional viruses that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.
The typical signs of that ransomware activity is the appearance of .cdmx files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.cdmx, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.cdmx and so on. You are not able to stop this process, as well as can’t open these files – they are ciphered with quite strong algorithm.
You can also spectate various other signs of virus activity. Abruptly disabled Microsoft Defender and inability to check the well-known anti-malware forums or web pages, where the removal and decryption guides are posted. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to delete Cdmx virus and get the .cdmx files back.
How did Cdmx ransomware encrypt my files?
After the malware injection, the Cdmx ransomware starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by virus maintainers – crooks who manage the distribution of this malware. Another activity which is performed by those crooks is answering the emails of sufferers, who want to get their files back.
The files are ciphered with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The digit in the name of this algo means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible password variations – it is impossible to brute force it. As cipher analysts say, it will take more time than our planet can approximately exist, even if you use the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted documents, Cdmx virus creates the _readme.txt file with the following contents:
ATTENTION! Don't worry, you can return all your files! All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key. The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you. This software will decrypt all your encrypted files. What guarantees you have? You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free. But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information. You can get and look video overview decrypt tool: https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku Price of private key and decrypt software is $980. Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490. Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment. Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours. To get this software you need write on our e-mail: support@fishmail.top Reserve e-mail address to contact us: datarestorehelp@airmail.cc Your personal ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
However, you can still run some of your files. The Cdmx virus ciphers only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this document can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are surely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every recording will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the video or music will be accessible like nothing happened.
Is Cdmx ransomware dangerous for my PC?
As it was mentioned several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Cdmx virus makes the changes in your OS in order to prevent looking for the virus removal and file decryption guides. Cdmx virus does not create the software barrier – it just alters the system settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.
Among the networking settings, the most damaged item is the HOSTS configuration file. This text file keeps the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the browsers while sending a request to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain website, your browser will connect that website through that DNS next time. Ransomware alters that file, adding the non-existent DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.
Other modifications done by the ransomware are aimed at prevention of operative detection of itself, and also disabling the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Cdmx malware implements some changes in Group Policies – the system configuration application which gives you the right to change the rights of each app. In such a way, the virus stops the Microsoft Defender and different other anti-malware tools, and also prevents the launch of anti-malware installation files.
How did I get infected?
Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using dubious software as a primary method of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable software I mean programs that are already not supported by the creator and spread through the third-party websites. These programs may be cracked, to make them usable without buying any license. Another example of such a program type is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.
This sort of apps may be spread in different ways – through the site that offers a downloading link, as well as through the p2p networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the biggest computer piracy resources. People use these sources to get a wide range of programs or games for free, even if they must be purchased. No one can stop the users who hack these programs from adding viruses of some sort to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw purposes, so their developers may easily embed the ransomware under the guise of some program part.
These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often sources for various viruses, and 100% the most popular one for Cdmx malware. It is better to stop using of it, and not only because of ransomware installation risks. Avoiding the license buying is an outlaw action, and both hackers and persons who use cracked programs fall under the charge of piracy.
How do I remove Cdmx virus?
The Cdmx ransomware is extremely hard to remove manually. Really, because of the number of modifications it makes into your system, it is almost impossible to find them all and fix. The best solution is to use anti-malware software. But which one to choose?
You may see the advices to make use of Microsoft Defender, which is already inside of your system. Nonetheless, as it was mentioned before, most of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples stop it even before the ciphering process. Making use of the third-party tool is the only possible option – and I can advice you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for this case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily demanded after the Cdmx virus attack.
To remove Cdmx malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.
After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Virus removal is needed to prevent the repeating ciphering of your files: while Cdmx ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.
How to decrypt the .cdmx files?
There are two ways to recover your files after a Cdmx ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special app, designed by Emsisoft, and named Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is absolutely free. Analysts update its decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will surely get your files back, sooner or later.
Another way to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your disk drives. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the files are still stored on the disk. After the deletion, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk. Special apps, like PhotoRec, are able to recover these files. It is free, too, and may also be used for file recovery in case when you have deleted a thing unintentionally.
Decrypting the .cdmx files with Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu
Download and install Emsisoft Decrypter tool. Agree with its EULA and continue to the interface.
The interface of this program is extremely easy. All you have to do is to select the folder where the encrypted files are stored, and wait. If the program has the decryption key which corresponds to your ransomware case – it will decrypt it.
During the use of Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu, you may observe various error messages. Don’t worry, that does not mean that you did something wrong or a program does not work properly. Each of these errors refer to a specific case. Here is the explanation:
Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]
The program does not have a corresponding key for your case. You need to wait for some time until the key database will be updated.
No key for new variant online ID: [your ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible.
This error means that your files are encrypted with an online key. In such a case, the decryption key is unique and stored on the remote server, controlled by crooks. Unfortunately, the decryption is impossible.
Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]
This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.
Ransomware uses the offline key to encrypt your files. This key is not unique, so you likely have it in common with another victim. Since offline keys must be collected, too, it is important to keep calm and wait until the analysts team finds one which will fit your case.
Remote name could not be resolved
This error indicates that the program has problems with DNS on your computer. That’s a clear sign of malicious alterations in your HOSTS file. Reset it using the official Microsoft guide.
Recovering the .cdmx files with PhotoRec tool
PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the residues of deleted files, and then attempts to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different extensions. Because of the described feature of ransomware encryption mechanism, it is possible to use this tool to get the original, unencrypted files back.
Download PhotoRec from the official website. It is absolutely free, however, its developer warns that he does not guarantee that this program will be 100% effective for file recovery purposes. Moreover, even paid apps can barely give you such a guarantee, because of the chain of random factors that can make the file recovery harder.
Unzip the downloaded archive to the folder you like. Don’t worry because of its name – TestDisk – this is the name of the utility developed by the same company. They decided to spread it together since PhotoRec and TestDisk are often used together. Among the unzipped files, search for qphotorec_win.exe file. Run this executable file.
Before you can start the recovery process, you need to specify several settings. In the drop-down list, choose the logic disk where the files were stored before the encryption.
Then, you need to specify the file formats you need to recover. It may be difficult to scroll all 400+ formats, luckily, they are sorted by alphabetical order.
Finally, name the folder you want to use as a container for recovered files. The program will likely dig out a lot of useless files, which were deleted intentionally, so desktop is a bad solution. The best option is to use the USB-drive.
After these easy manipulations, you may just press the “Search” button (it turns active if you specified all required parameters). The recovery process may take several hours, so keep patient. It is recommended not to use the computer during this term, since you may overwrite some files you are intending to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
✔️Are the files encrypted by Cdmx ransomware dangerous?
No. Cdmx files is not a virus, it is not able to inject its code into the files and force them to execute it. The .EXT files are just the same as regular ones, but encrypted and cannot be opened in the usual way. You may store it together with normal files without any fears.
✔️Is it possible that antivirus software will delete the encrypted files?
As I have mentioned in a previous paragraph, encrypted files are not dangerous. Hence, good anti-malware programs like GridinSoft Anti-Malware will not trigger on them. Meanwhile, some of the “disk cleaning tools” may remove them, stating that they belong to the unknown format and are likely broken.
✔️The Emsisoft tool says my files are encrypted with the online key and cannot be decrypted. What do I need to do?
It is very unpleasant to hear that the files you have are likely lost. Ransomware creators lie a lot in order to scare their victims, but they tell the truth in claims about the strength of the encryption. Your decryption key is stored on their servers, and it is impossible to select it because of the strength of the encryption mechanism.
Try other recovery methods – through the PhotoRec, or using the previously created backups. Search for the previous versions of these files – getting back a part of your dissertation, for example, is better than missing it all.
Last option is just waiting. When the cyber police caughts the crooks who create and distribute ransomware, first get the decryption keys and publish it. Emsisoft analysts will surely take these keys and add them to the Decryptor databases. In some cases, malware creators may publish the rest of the keys when they stop their activity.
✔️Not all of my .cdmx files are decrypted. What do I need to do?
The situation when the Emsisoft Decryptor failed to decrypt several files usually happens when you have not added the correct file pair for the certain file format. Another case when this problem may appear is when some problem occurred during the decryption process – for example, RAM limit reached. Try to perform the decryption process once again.
Another situation when the Decryptor app may leave your files unencrypted is when ransomware uses different keys for certain files. For example, it may use offline keys for a short period of time when it has connection issues. The Emsisoft tool is not able to check both key types simultaneously, so you need to launch the decryption again, in order to repeat the process.