How to remove SophosEncrypt Ransomware and decrypt .sophos files

What is SophosEncrypt Ransomware

SophosEncrypt is a new ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) that has been disguising itself as the well-known cybersecurity provider Sophos, thus masking its true identity and intentions. The ransomware encrypts files on the infected system using a complex encryption algorithm, making data useless on the infected system. It affects commonly used data such as pictures, documents, videos, databases, and archives. The ransomware appends a unique machine identifier, the email address entered during setup, and the suffix .sophos to every file it encrypts. Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered that the ransomware encryptor is written in Rust and uses the C:\Users\Dubinin path for its crates. However, it is still unclear how the ransomware is being promoted and distributed. Most modern ransomware uses strong encryption methods such as RSA-2048 or AES-128, making it impossible to get your files back unless you have the decryption key. It is still unclear which encryption method SophosEncrypt uses. The ransomware creates a ransom note (information.hta) for every folder with encrypted files, and replaces the impacted device’s wallpaper to show a message indicating system-wide data encryption with the Sophos logo.

The ransom note contains contact information that gets embedded into the ransom note and appended to each filename. There are currently no decryption tools available for SophosEncrypt ransomware. The only effective method to restore files is to copy them from a saved backup. If you don’t have a suitable backup, you may use third-party recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional. As of now, there is no known way to decrypt .sophos files. The best way to protect yourself from ransomware attacks is to keep your antivirus software up to date, regularly back up your data, and avoid opening suspicious emails or downloading attachments from unknown sources. Spyhunter 5 is a good option for ransomware protection, as it uses behavioral analysis to stop previously unseen ransomware and boot record attacks.

How SophosEncrypt Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware can infect computers through various methods, including phishing emails, malvertising, exploit kits, and pirated software. It is important to exercise caution when encountering advertisements and links on the internet. To prevent ransomware infections, it is important to exercise caution when opening email attachments or clicking on links, keep software up to date, and regularly back up important files.

1. Download SophosEncrypt Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .sophos 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 SophosEncrypt Ransomware

SophosEncrypt Ransomware files:


information.hta
{randomname}.exe


SophosEncrypt Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .sophos files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

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