Remove CDXX Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .cdxx Files)

Cdxx malware is a type of computer virus that injects your system, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these unwanted actions, that virus also modifies some important settings and can even disable your antivirus program.

Cdxx ransomware – what is it?

Cdxx ransomware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu ransomware family. That type of virus is targeted at individuals. This feature supposes that Cdxx does not bring any type of additional viruses, which often helps ransomware of other families to take control of your computer. Since most people do not have anything valuable, there is no reason to infiltrate additional malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The common signs of this virus activity is the emersion of .cdxx files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.cdxx, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.cdxx and so on. You are not able to prevent this process, and can’t open these documents – they are encrypted with quite a strong algorithm.

You can also spectate different other signs of ransomware activity. Abruptly suspended Microsoft Defender and inability to open the famous anti-malware forums or sites, where the ransomware removal and decryption guides are published. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to delete Cdxx malware and get the .cdxx files back.

How did Cdxx ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Cdxx ransomware starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by ransomware maintainers – people who manage the spreading of this virus. Another activity which is conducted by those crooks is answering the emails of victims, who want to decrypt their files.

The files are ciphered with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The “256” digit in the name of this algorithms means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is impossible to brute force it. As cipher analysts say, it will need more time than the Earth can estimate to exist, even when you use the most powerful computers. In each folder that contains the encrypted file(s), Cdxx 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

Nonetheless, you can still use some of your documents. The Cdxx ransomware encrypts only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this file can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is capable of open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each file will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Cdxx ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was described several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Cdxx ransomware makes the changes in your operating system in order to prevent looking for the malware removal and file decryption guides. Malware does not create the software barrier – it just alters the system settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Through the networking settings, the most changed item is the HOSTS file. This text file keeps the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the browsers while sending a request to the server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain website, your web browser will connect that site through that DNS next time. Ransomware alters that file, adding the unknown DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other modifications done by the virus are aimed at prevention of early detection of itself, and also blocking the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Cdxx malware implements several alterations in Group Policies – the system configuration interface which allows to modify the abilities of each program. In such a way, ransomware stops the Microsoft Defender and different other antivirus tools, as well as 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 questionable programs as a primary method of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable applications I mean programs that are already not controlled by the creator and spread through the file sharing websites. These programs may be hacked, to make them usable without buying any license. One more example of such a program type is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

Such apps may be distributed in different ways – through the site that offers a downloading link, and also through the p2p networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the biggest computer piracy websites. People use these sites to get various programs or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. Nobody can stop the users who crack these apps from adding malware of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw purposes, so their creators can easily embed the ransomware under the guise of some program part.

These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and surely the most widespread one for Cdxx virus. The best solution is to stop using of it, and not only because of ransomware installation risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an illegal action, and both hackers and persons who use hacked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Cdxx virus?

The Cdxx virus is really hard to wipe out manually. Really, because of the number of changes it makes into your system, it is almost unreal to find them all and repair. The best decision is to use anti-malware programs. But which one to choose?

You can read the advices to use Microsoft Defender, which is already inside of your system. However, as it was mentioned before, the majority of STOP/Djvu virus examples stop it even before the encryption process. Making use of the third-party tool is the only possible option – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the Cdxx ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, that is heavily needed after the Cdxx virus attack.

To remove Cdxx malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Malware removal is required to prevent the repeating ciphering of your files: while Cdxx ransomware is active, it will not pass any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .cdxx files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Cdxx ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special tool, 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 definitely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another way to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your disks. Since Cdxx virus deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the documents are still kept on the disk. After the removal, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk. Special programs, 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 something unintentionally.

Decrypting the .cdxx 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 .cdxx files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. It checks each disk sector for the remains of deleted files, and then tries 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