How to remove Fonix Ransomware and decrypt .fonix, .repter or .XINOF files

What is Fonix Ransomware

Also known as FonixCrypter, Fonix Ransomware is an infection, that uses Salsa20 and RSA 4098 algorithms to restrict data accessibility. It encrypts the stored files of various formats – photos, videos, documents, audios, and others that seem to be valuable around regular users. Along the encryption process, the virus assigns compound extensions including e-mail of cybercriminals, personal ID, and .fonix extension at the end. Some versions of Fonix exploit other extensions like .repter and .XINOF. For example, a file like 1.mp4 will be transformed into 1.mp4.EMAIL=[fonix@tuta.io]ID=[1E857D00].Fonix and reset its shortcut as well. Once the encryption gets to a finish, it creates a special note # How To Decrypt Files #.hta to illustrate ransom details.

It is said that no third-parties tools will be able to decrypt your files because their key is stored on cybercriminal’s servers. Instead, developers propose you to buy their decryption key in Bitcoin. If you fail to do this within 2 days, your fee will be doubled immediately. Also, they offer detailed info on how to convert money to BTC in case you have never done it before. As a consolation bonus, extortionists provide decryption of 1 small file for free. Despite this, it is dangerous to pay for the key, because they tend to dumb gullible users, as statistics say. Unfortunately, it is true that there are no feasible methods to unlock files encrypted by Fonix Ransomware. The best way to restore it is by using an external backup of lost files, if possible. If not, we recommend you to delete Fonix Ransomware and start making scheduled backups of valuable data at least once a month.

How Fonix Ransomware infected your computer

This ransomware:

– Deletes shadow copies of files, manipulates shadow storage size, disables Windows repair and repair functions at boot time with commands:
C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe /c cmd.exe /c vssadmin Delete Shadows /All /Quiet & wmic shadowcopy delete & bcdedit /set {default} boostatuspolicy ignoreallfailures & bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no & wbadmin delete catalog -quiet/ & icacls * /grant Everyone:(OI)(CI)F /T /C /Q
– Disables Windows Defender and TaskManager in the registry with the commands:
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v DisableAntiSpyware /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe /c reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
– Adds itself to Windows Startup by registering the “PhoenixTechnology” section:
reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\ /v "PhoenixTechnology" /t REG_SZ /d C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\TempFonixCrypter.exe /f

No secret that malware lurks behind multiple holes of the Internet. Fonix is not an exception. It can attack your system via e-mail spam, trojans, fake software cracking tools, backdoors, keyloggers, and other atrocious ways. E-mail spam is a great zone to bundle malicious attachments and send them all over the web. It has become quite a staple when you receive a message from an unknown address because advertising companies make everything possible to impose subscribing to daily newsletters and other content. If you see somebody asking to open or download suspicious links/files (MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, and JavaScript files), we recommend you against it because that could be used for distributing malware. If you are wondering how to keep your mailbox protected and clean, we have gathered a couple of programs that will help you fulfill it below.

1. Download Fonix Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .fonix, .repter or .XINOF files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like Fonix Ransomware

Fonix Ransomware files:


# How To Decrypt Files #.hta
TempFonixCrypter.exe
cpub.key
cpriv.key
{randomfilename}.exe


Fonix Ransomware registry keys:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\PhoenixTechnology = "C:\\Users\\Admin\\AppData\\Local\\TempFonixCrypter.exe"
HKLM\USER\S-1-5-21-910373003-3952921535-3480519689-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\PhoenixTechnology = "C:\\Users\\Admin\\AppData\\Local\\TempFonixCrypter.exe"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\PhoenixTechnology = "C:\\Users\\Admin\\AppData\\Local\\TempFonixCrypter.exe"
HKLM\USER\S-1-5-21-910373003-3952921535-3480519689-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\PhoenixTechnology = "C:\\Users\\Admin\\AppData\\Local\\TempFonixCrypter.exe"
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\PhoenixTechnology
HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\PhoenixTechnology
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\PhoenixTechnology
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\repter\Index
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\repter\Id
HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\PhoenixTechnology

How to decrypt and restore .fonix, .repter or .XINOF files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .fonix, .repter or .XINOF files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

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 .fonix, .repter or .XINOF 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 Fonix 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 .fonix, .repter or .XINOF files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Fonix 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.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

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. Fonix 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 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 is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro