What is Surtr Ransomware
Discovered by a malware researcher named S!Ri, Surtr is a ransomware program developed to encrypt various types of personal data. It is always common to see popular files like music, photos, and documents affected during the virus attack. Surtr uses the cybercriminals’ e-mail (DecryptMyData@mailfence.com) and .SURT extension to rename all the blocked data. For example, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.[DecryptMyData@mailfence.com].SURT and reset its original icon to blank. The same change will be applied to other data that went through the encryption. In addition, there are also two files getting created upon successful encryption – a text note called SURTR_README.txt and SURTR_README.hta that its meant to open a pop-up window. Both these files are used to deliver ransomware instructions for victims. You can take a close look at their contents here below:
SurtrRansomware
OOPS ALL YOUR IMPORTANT FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED AND STOLEN !!
Notice : There is only one way to restore your data read the boxes carefully!
Attention :
☢ Do Not change file names.
☢ Do Not try to decrypt using third party softwares , it may cause permanent data loss .
☢ If you do not pay the fee within one month , your important files will be published in our public belog .
☢ Do not pay any money before decrypting the test files.
☢ You can use our 50% discount if you pay the fee within first 15 days of encryption . otherwise the price will be doubled.
☢ In order to warranty you , our team will decrypt 3 of your desired files for free.but you need to pay the specified price for the rest of the operation .
How To Decrypt :
☢ Your system is offline . in order to contact us you can email this address DecryptMyData@mailfence.com use this ID (0uUO3jsQBIbkZu) for the title of your email .
☢ If you weren't able to contact us within 24 hours please email : Decrypter@msgsafe.io
☢ If you didn't get any respond within 48 hours use this link (Not Available Now).send your ID and your cryptor name (SurtrRansomwareUserName) therefore we can create another way to contact you as soon as possible
What happened to your files?
Unfortunately, your server was compromised,
using a security hole in your server.
All your files are encrypted with a military algorithm .
in order to contact us you can email this address
DecryptMyData@mailfence.com
use this ID( 0uUO3jsQBIbkZu ) for the title of your email.
if you weren't able to contact us within 24 hours please email :
Decrypter@msgsafe.io
Only we can decrypt your files.
Please do not contact separate fraudulent sites.
You can use freeand even paid software on the Internet,
but it is uselessand will cause you to lose filesand timeand money.
Cybercriminals say there is only one way to return your files – send 3 files to test the possibility of decryption and then pay the full sum necessary to restore the rest of the data. If you manage to contact swindlers within the first 15 days, the price of decryption will be cut by 50%. To get into communication with frauds, victims are instructed to use their e-mail address (DecryptMyData@mailfence.com or Decrypter@msgsafe.io) and write a letter stating the personal ID up in the message title. After getting in touch with them, cybercriminals will most likely give further instructions regarding data decryption. They will announce the price and ask you to pay for some unique software. Should victims neglect the given requests, cybercriminals threaten to publish the data on shady Internet resources for the purpose of selling. In fact, developers behind Surtr Ransomware are the only figures able to decrypt your data fully and without damage. Third-party tools are likely to fail or even cause damage to data. If you want to avoid paying the ransom (which is always recommended), the best option to recover your data for free is via backup copies. Paying the frauds gives no actual guarantee that they will return your data and keep their promise to not publish your data. They can still do it to get additional profits without letting you know. To sum up, using backup copies is by far the best way to regain access to data for free. However, if you do not have any of them available, you can use third-party tools nonetheless – there is still a small chance you will be able to decrypt at least part of your data. Before getting into any recovery process, it is important to delete the infection first. Follow our guide to do it fast and use instructions to return your data.
How Surtr Ransomware infected your computer
As a rule, malware like Surtr can be delivered through e-mail spam letters, trojans, unprotected RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, fake downloads of software updates or installers (from P2P websites, unofficial pages, etc.), web-injects, and other types of channels that exploit users’ lack of attention and PC experience. Many users allow such infections to squeak into the system themselves – by opening untrustworthy files or downloading software from unreliable third-party resources. It can be either a spam letter with malicious attachments disguised as something legitimate or trojans hidden inside of fake updates or software installers. Be careful and do not trust everything you get or see on the web. There can be also some banners claiming your PC to be outdated or compromised. Do not click on them as they are most likely fake and simply designed to spread some infection. In order to be protected against such distribution channels in the future, scroll down below and follow our tutorial. We have gathered a lot of useful information and advice from reputable experts specializing in this topic.
- Download Surtr Ransomware Removal Tool
- Get decryption tool for .SURT files
- Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
- Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
- Restore files with Shadow Explorer
- How to protect from threats like Surtr Ransomware
Download Removal Tool
To remove Surtr Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Surtr Ransomware. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove Surtr Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Surtr Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.
Surtr Ransomware files:
SURTR_README.hta
{randomname}.exe
Surtr Ransomware registry keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore .SURT files
Use automated decryptors
Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor
Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .SURT 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 .SURT 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 Surtr 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 .SURT files
- Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Click Recover Data button.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
- Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
- Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.
Using Windows Previous Versions option:
- Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
- Select Previous Versions tab.
- Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
- To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
- In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.
Using Shadow Explorer:
- Download Shadow Explorer program.
- Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
- Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
- Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
- In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.
If you are using Dropbox:
- Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
- Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
- Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.
How to protect computer from viruses, like Surtr 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.
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. Surtr 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.
