What is Phobos-Duck Ransomware

Duck is a recent file encryptor developed and published by the Phobos ransomware family. While blocking access to data, the virus alters files’ appearance by adding the generated victim’s ID, cybercriminals’ e-mail, and .duck extension as well. For instance, a file originally named 1.pdf will change to something like 1.pdf.id[9ECFA84E-3316].[supprecovery@torguard.tg].duck, reset its icon, and become no longer accessible. Once all data ends up encrypted, cybercriminals display decryption instructions in two ransom notes (info.hta and info.txt) to extort money from victims.

info.htainfo.txt
All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail: supprecovery@torguard.tg
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this e-mail:samrecoveryfiles@onionmail.com
Write this ID in the title of your message -
Or text in the messenger Telegram: @supprecovery
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
!!!All of your files are encrypted!!!
To decrypt them send e-mail to this address: supprecovery@torguard.tg
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this e-mail:samrecoveryfiles@onionmail.com
Our online operator is available in the messenger Telegram: @supprecovery

Victims have to contact extortionists via one of the given communication channels (either through e-mail or Telegram). After this, victims will be given payment details to send the necessary amount of money for decryption (in Bitcoin). It is said the price depends on how fast victims will establish contact with the developers. Before performing any payments, cybercriminals also offer to test the decryption of up to 5 files for free. The files should not contain any valuable information and must weigh less than 4MB in total. Finally, threat actors outline some warnings against modifying data and using third-party decryption software, underpinning such claims by risks of permanently damaging data. Unfortunately, it is less likely that any third-party tool will be able to decrypt data locked by Duck Ransomware. For now, cybercriminals behind this ransomware variant remain the only figures able to decipher the data. However, you should be aware that some ransomware developers end up scammers eventually therefore not sending any promised decryption tools to their victims. The only way victims can use to bypass the need of paying the ransom is to recover the files via backup copies. If such are available on external storage like a USB flash drive, you can delete the virus and transfer the fully-functioning copies straight to your system. Note that deleting the ransomware is important in any case unless you are planning to collaborate with the extortionists since it will prevent any further malicious activity within your system. Follow our tutorial below to learn the deletion process of ransomware infections.

phobos-duck ransomware

How Phobos-Duck Ransomware infected your computer

Most ransomware infections (and not only) occur when inexperienced users open/click malicious attachments or links in e-mail spam letters, download software that conceals malware from untrustworthy websites, and various other drive-by methods of download malware. For example, users can receive e-mail letters that are fake but look completely legitimate at first glance. The letters can be disguised as popular banks, tax authorities, delivery firms (DHL, DPD, FedEx), and much more. The purpose of this technique is to trick users into opening malicious attachments attached to them. Most cybercriminals use files with .DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, .JS, and other extensions fool inexperienced users into executing them. Trojans, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, and system exploits are also channels that can be abused to spread ransomware. Keep in mind that cybercriminals capitalize on inattentive and naive users who visit unofficial websites, click on dubious pop-ups/ads, and do other neglecting actions that put their safety at risk. Read our guide below to learn more tips about protecting yourself against such threats in the future.

  1. Download Phobos-Duck Ransomware Removal Tool
  2. Get decryption tool for .duck 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 Phobos-Duck Ransomware

Download Removal Tool

Download Removal Tool

To remove Phobos-Duck Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Phobos-Duck Ransomware. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.

Alternative Removal Tool

Download Norton Antivirus

To remove Phobos-Duck Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Phobos-Duck Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.

Phobos-Duck Ransomware files:


info.hta
{randomname}.exe

Phobos-Duck Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .duck files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

kaspersky dharma ransomware decryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .duck 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 .duck 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 Phobos-Duck 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 .duck files

stellar data recovery professional

  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 Phobos-Duck 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

idrive backup

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. Phobos-Duck 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

mailwasher pro

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
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