What is Fair Ransomware
Fair Ransomware is one of many dangerous pieces that encrypts personal type of data. It belongs to the malware family known as Makop, which has developed a number of similar infections. Once Fair Ransomware attacks your system, it installs certain scripts, which block access to multiple files by assigning unique extensions. These extensions consist of a personal ID number, [fairexchange@qq.com] suffix, and .fair at the end of each file. An example of the original sample that experienced these changes looks like this 1.mp4.[9B83AE23].[fairexchange@qq.com].fair. Whilst the access to data is no longer in users’ hands, extortionists create a text file called readme-warning.txt in each folder containing encrypted files.
::: Greetings :::
Little FAQ:
.1.
Q: Whats Happen?
A: Your files have been encrypted and now have the "fair" extension. The file structure was not damaged, we did everything possible so that this could not happen.
.2.
Q: How to recover files?
A: If you wish to decrypt your files you will need to pay in bitcoins.
.3.
Q: What about guarantees?
A: Its just a business. We absolutely do not care about you and your deals, except getting benefits. If we do not do our work and liabilities - nobody will cooperate with us. Its not in our interests.
To check the ability of returning files, you can send to us any 2 files with SIMPLE extensions(jpg,xls,doc, etc... not databases!) and low sizes(max 1 mb), we will decrypt them and send back to you. That is our guarantee.
.4.
Q: How to contact with you?
A: You can write us to our mailbox: fairexchange@qq.com
.5.
Q: How will the decryption process proceed after payment?
A: After payment we will send to you our scanner-decoder program and detailed instructions for use. With this program you will be able to decrypt all your encrypted files.
.6.
Q: If I don’t want to pay bad people like you?
A: If you will not cooperate with our service - for us, its does not matter. But you will lose your time and data, cause only we have the private key. In practice - time is much more valuable than money.
:::BEWARE:::
DON'T try to change encrypted files by yourself!
If you will try to use any third party software for restoring your data or antivirus solutions - please make a backup for all encrypted files!
Any changes in encrypted files may entail damage of the private key and, as result, the loss all data.
Inside of this note, cybercriminals briefly explain to confused people what has happened to their PCs. Then, the creators of Fair Ransomware tell it is necessary to buy the decryption software (in BTC) to regain control over the data. They also offer to take part in the so-called “guarantee check”, allowing users to decrypt 2 files of limited size for free. Unfortunately, even though such tricks should justify the integrity of swindlers, statistics are out to say the opposite. Most users get fooled and end up receiving no tools even after fulfilling the payment instructions. We have to forewarn you that there are no other tools that could ensure 100% decryption of data. The ways to break ciphers applied by Fair Ransomware have not been found just yet. This is why the only way to scramble out of this meltdown is to delete Fair Ransomware and attempt to restore your data using the third-party tools presented below. Also, before heading into exploring them, you can recover your files using backup storage of data, once you uninstalled the virus, but only if you saved it prior to the attack.
How Fair Ransomware infected your computer
This specific infection and other types of malware can be distributed via e-mail spam messages, trojans, backdoors, keyloggers, unprotected RDP configuration, and other channels like that. Many vectors have different distribution essentials. We have decided to shed more light on e-mail abuse as this is the most popular way of spreading malware nowadays. Cybercriminals inject malicious attachments to e-mail messages and send them all over the web. Most users, therefore, get curious seeing unknown files with appeals to open them. The range of files attached to a letter may vary from Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, to executable and JavaScript files. Even though they are disguised as something legitimate, their purpose is to proliferate malicious software to unprotected systems. Our advice is to avoid clicking on suspicious links or files circulating around the web. In addition to being self-aware, you can invigorate safety by installing anti-malware software. We recommend you SpyHunter 5 or Norton Antivirus. Both of them can be downloaded below.
- Download Fair Ransomware Removal Tool
- Get decryption tool for .fair files
- Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
- Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
- Restore files with Shadow Explorer
- How to protect from threats like Fair Ransomware
Download Removal Tool
To remove Fair Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Fair Ransomware. The trial version of Spyhunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove Fair Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Fair Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.
Fair Ransomware files:
README_LOCK.TXT
OpenTheTorBrouser.html
Wbadmin.1.etl
KEY.FILE
xhome.exe
OCCT.exe
Fair Ransomware registry keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore .fair files
Use automated decryptors
Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor
Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .fair files. Download it here:
There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.
Dr.Web Rescue Pack
Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .fair files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.
If you are infected with Fair Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:
Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .fair files
- Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Click Recover Data button.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
- Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
- Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.
Using Windows Previous Versions option:
- Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
- Select Previous Versions tab.
- Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
- To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
- In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.
Using Shadow Explorer:
- Download Shadow Explorer program.
- Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
- Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
- Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
- In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.
If you are using Dropbox:
- Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
- Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
- Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.
How to protect computer from viruses, like Fair Ransomware, in future
1. Get special anti-ransomware software
Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware
Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.
2. Back up your files
As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Fair Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.
3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox
Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.
