How to remove SEX3 Ransomware and decrypt .SEX3 files

What is SEX3 Ransomware

SEX3 is a computer virus classified as ransomware. Also, it was discovered to be a new version of another file encryptor called SATANA Ransomware. Software of this type is developed to encrypt potentially valuable data and demand file owners to pay money for their decryption. While running encryption, SEX3 Ransomware is programmed to alter targetted files with the .SEX3 extension. This is simply a visual change to highlight blocked data on top of successful encryption. After this, the virus changes the desktop wallpapers and also creates a text note called !satana!.txt that contains short instructions about how to unlock access to files.

It is said cybercriminals behind this ransomware infection are the only figures able to decrypt the data. For this, victims have to purchase a special recovery key by transferring 0,5 BTC ≈ about 8,250$ (exchange rates tend to fluctuate) to the specified wallet address. There is also some communication info like an e-mail of cybercriminals that victims can use to supposedly notify swindlers about the completed payment and retrieve the promised decryption key. Unfortunately, initial ransomware developers indeed are usually the only figures able to fully decrypt the blocked data. Private keys generated by SEX3 Ransomware are stored online, unique for each victim and have not yet been leaked. This means third-party software is less likely to be effective in running decryption. In our guide you will find suggestions about reputable third-party recovery/decryption tools, however, their effectiveness might not be enough due to the aforementioned. The only two ways victims can recover their data at the moment are either to pay the ransom or recover the files using backup copies. However, since collaboration with cybercriminals involves a certain risk and requested amounts can be unaffordable for many users, it is recommended to use backups instead. Backups are copies of files that were saved on external storage prior to the encryption. Please note that before attempting file recovery without the help of developers, it is first important to prevent ransomware from running on your PC – in other words, delete it. Use our guide below to do so and establish safety against such malware in the future of PC usage.

How SEX3 Ransomware infected your computer

Multiple malware infections have seen successful distribution through e-mail spam letters, trojans, deceptive third-party downloads, fake software updates/installers, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, system exploits, and some other channels as well. Most of these vectors employ phishing techniques that are usually designed to fool inexperienced users into opening some malicious content (usually attachments or links). For instance, ransomware or trojans can be disguised as some legitimate file (.DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS extensions) and distributed through e-mail letters that imitate names of legal companies/entities (e.g., delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, and so forth). In order to trick inexperienced users into executing the attached content, cybercriminals may name files in click-bait ways that would reflect some “importance”, “urgency” or simply curiosity in the mind of users. If the attached content ends up opened according to cybercriminals’ guidelines, the contained infection will be deployed for installation on the targeted system. Avoid interaction with dubious download sources, torrent-sharing pages, suspicious ads, potentially malicious attachments/links, and other kinds of content. Download software only from official resources to prevent drive-by (stealth) installations of malware. We also encourage you to read our guide below and learn more about how one can protect his system against threats like ransomware (or other malware) in the future.

1. Download SEX3 Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .SEX3 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 SEX3 Ransomware

SEX3 Ransomware files:


!satana!.txt
{randomname}.exe


SEX3 Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .SEX3 files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .SEX3 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 .SEX3 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 SEX3 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 .SEX3 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.

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 SEX3 Ransomware , in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

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 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. SEX3 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.