How to remove Sickfile Ransomware and decrypt .sickfile files

What is Sickfile Ransomware

Sickfile Ransomware is a malicious infection that uses strong encryption to hold victims’ data hostage and blackmail them into paying money for its decryption. If your files acquired the new .sickfile extension and lost their icons, then it is likely a sign indicating they have been encrypted successfully. The how_to_back_files.html file is where cybercriminals subsequently explain how to revert the effects of encryption – i.e., return access to data. Here is a full text presented within the note:

Overall, threat actors say decryption is possible if victims contact the swindlers and pay for the special decryption software. The communication is to be established either through the attached link or one of the given e-mail addresses. In case victims fail to contact the cybercriminals within 72 hours, it is said the price for decryption will become higher. On top of that, extortionists threaten to leak the encrypted data to public resources or sell it to third-party figures in case no payment will be made eventually. At the same time, promises are made to delete the collected files from cybercriminals’ servers immediately after the ransom is received. Before paying the ransom, victims are also encouraged to test free decryption – by sending 2-3 non-valuable files and getting them unlocked for free. Such a marketing technique is used by many ransomware developers in order to prove their decryption abilities and urge victims into performing the demanded payment. However, in spite of provable decryption abilities, cybercriminals are known to sometimes fool their victims and no send any promised decryption tools after the payment. Furthermore, there are no guarantees that the gathered data will actually be deleted meaning it may be published online regardless. Unfortunately, there is no other known way to decrypt data other than collaborating with cybercriminals themselves. Despite all the risks we mentioned above, ransomware developers are usually the only figures able to unlock access to data. The only and always viable way to return the encrypted files is to recover them from an available backup. Backups are copies of files stored on external storage (e.g., cloud, USB pen drives, etc.) that were not affected at the time of infection. Using a backup is always a safer and completely free option. Unless you are planning to pay the ransom, deleting ransomware is crucial to not let it encrypt other files at the time of manual recovery. It is also important to remove it after decrypting files with cybercriminals if you decide to. Follow our guide below to do so and get protection against such threats in the future. You will also see some reputable third-party decryption/recovery software presented in our guide, however, this recommendation is general and does not guarantee the tools will successfully decrypt files encrypted by Sickfile Ransomware.

How Sickfile Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware infections are often distributed through propagation channels like phishing e-mail letters, infected software installers (pirated or cracked), exploit kits, trojans, fake updates/license cracking tools, unprotected RDP configuration, unreliable ads, backdoors, keyloggers, and other dubious channels. As a rule, users become exposed to facing a potential infection after downloading or opening some malicious file or link. One example of this can be found in malicious e-mail spam letters that contain malicious files disguised as legitimate files like .DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS. Potentially malvertising e-mail letters can impersonate legal companies/entities (e.g., delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, and so forth) to avoid raising suspicion among inexperienced or naive users. Please note that interacting with content from such e-mail messages is dangerous and can lead to the installation of malware. Links attached to malvertising e-mails can lead to fake websites proposing malicious software or asking for users’ credentials. Thus, you should always avoid interacting with dubious download sources, torrent-sharing pages, suspicious ads, potentially malicious attachments/links, and other kinds of risky content. Download software only from official resources to prevent drive-by (stealth) installations of malware. Read our guide below to learn more about establishing protection against threats like ransomware (and other malware) in the future.

1. Download Sickfile Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .sickfile 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 Sickfile Ransomware

Sickfile Ransomware files:


how_to_back_files.html
{randomname}.exe


Sickfile Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .sickfile files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

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