How to remove FOX (Dharma) Ransomware and decrypt .SCRT files

What is FOX (Dharma) Ransomware

FOX (Dharma) Ransomware is a type of malicious software belonging to the notorious Dharma family. Aimed at extorting money from victims, it encrypts files on infected systems and demands a ransom for the decryption key. This ransomware appends a distinctive file extension to the encrypted files, specifically adding the .SCRT extension, making it easy to identify its presence. Not only does it rename files by changing their extensions, but it also adds the victim’s unique ID and a contact email address for the attackers, giving the appearance of something like filename.jpg.id-12345678.[contact_email].SCRT. Utilizing robust encryption algorithms typical of the Dharma family, the ransomware ensures that files cannot be easily decrypted without the attacker’s intervention. Upon encryption, info.txt, a ransom note, is generated and placed on the victim’s desktop and other easily noticeable locations, instructing victims on how to contact the criminals and what steps to follow to regain access to their files. It typically advises the victim to email the provided address, threatening to erase the decryption key if the ransom is not paid, and ominously warns against seeking external help.

No public decryption tools are currently available for files encrypted by FOX (Dharma) Ransomware, making recovery exceptionally challenging for those infected. This ransomware uses a sophisticated mix of symmetric and asymmetric encryption, often RSA and AES, both of which are difficult to crack without the correct keys. For victims wondering how to decrypt .SCRT files, the unfortunate reality is that without paying the ransom or having access to advanced security tools, recovering affected files is nearly impossible. The security community advises against paying the ransom, as there are no guarantees that victims will receive the decryption keys after payment, and it only encourages further criminal activity. Instead, the best approach remains preventive: regularly backing up important files, maintaining updated security software, and remaining vigilant against phishing attacks and suspicious downloads. Reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities might not provide immediate relief, but it contributes to a broader fight against ransomware attacks and can assist in tracking and prosecuting the perpetrators.

How FOX (Dharma) Ransomware infects computers

FOX (Dharma) Ransomware primarily infiltrates computer systems by exploiting vulnerabilities in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) services. Cybercriminals often conduct brute force and dictionary attacks to compromise RDP services with weak credentials, thereby gaining unauthorized access. Additionally, phishing emails with malicious attachments or links serve as another common infection vector, tricking users into executing harmful software. Vulnerabilities in outdated software and operating systems can also be targeted by attackers to deliver the ransomware payload. Furthermore, FOX Ransomware can spread through malicious advertisements, infected USB drives, P2P networks, and via pirated software downloads. Once inside a system, the ransomware encrypts files and demands a ransom, often rendering data recovery without the attackers’ decryption tools challenging unless backups are available.

1. Download FOX (Dharma) Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .SCRT 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 FOX (Dharma) Ransomware

FOX (Dharma) Ransomware files:


info.txt
{randomname}.exe


FOX (Dharma) Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .SCRT files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .SCRT 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 .SCRT files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing 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 FOX (Dharma) Ransomware and removed 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 .SCRT files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select the type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose the 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 a 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 are no items in the list, choose an alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it, and you will see a 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 an 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 FOX (Dharma) 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 storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. FOX (Dharma) 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.

Download MailWasher Pro