Syrk Ransomware – Guide to restore recover .Syrk files

Guide to Remove Syrk Ransomware

Syrk Ransomware is the name of the brand-new & advanced variant of the Crypto Viruses that is spreading its infection at an alarming rate. Cyber-security researchers have found this critical malware infection mainly targeting the Windows OS based computers. Spam e-mail campaign is the prime distribution method of this pernicious file virus.

On encrypting the files, it renames them by adding its malicious extension to the file-names. Hence, it renders the files unreadable. In addition to that, it disables the Task Manager on the infected system, thus, it prevents user from closing down the malicious activities initiated by Syrk Ransomware.

This pernicious file virus is good at being persistent & can make your working experience on the PC an infuriating one. Just like other Ransomware infections, Syrk also drops a ransom demanding note on the infected PC. It gives time to the users to pay the ransom in exchange of the .Syrk decryption tool & private key. In case the victims fail to pay the ransom within the pre-defined time-frame, the hackers delete their data.

Victims from around the world are looking for ways to get rid of Syrk Ransomware & recover .Syrk files.

What are possible ways to remove this file virus from the system? How can one prevent Syrk infection? Read on to find the answers-

Threat Summary of Syrk Ransomware

Name	Syrk
Type	Ransomware
Category	Malware
Operating System Impacted	Windows
Symptoms	Files are encrypted & appended with .syrk extension to the filenames. Appearance of Ransom note on the desktop.

 

Threat Behavior of Syrk Ransomware

Syrk Ransomware is another menacing member in the arsenal of the gigantic Ransomware Family. Created with strong financial motive, this file virus is proliferating at a fast pace via malvertising e-mail campaigns, software bundling, malware-laden websites & links.

It is known for intruding into Windows OS based systems without any manual help. It targets user’s sensitive data to later blackmail them & extort their hard-earned money.

Once installed, it searches the entire system for the targeted files such as images, videos, documents, texts etc. When found, it employs a highly-complex Encryption Algorithm to encrypt the files & adds .syrk extension as suffix to the filenames.

After the encryption, the files are instantly made inaccessible to the victims. A file named “mypresentation.ppt” might be renamed as “mypresentation.ppt.syrk” after the encryption.

The files extensions that Syrk File Virus is capable of encrypting are mentioned below:

• Document files (.docx, .doc, .odt, .rtf, .text, .pdf, .htm, .ppt)
• Audio Files (.mp3, .aif, .iff, .m3u, .m4u, .mid, .mpa, .wma, .ra, .avi, .mov, .mp4)
• Video Files (.3gp, .mpeg, .3g2, .asf, .asx, .flv, .mpg, .wmv, .vob)
• Images (.jpg, .jpeg, .raw, .tif, .gif, .png)
• Backup Files (.bck, .bckp, .tmp, .gho)
• Shadow Volume Copies
• Restore Points

Apart from encrypting the files, Syrk Crypto Virus disables the anti-virus programs & firewall security on the infected PC. It makes modifications in the boot options, this enabling the infection to start every time the system reboots.

It disables “Task manager”, thus preventing the victim from closing down the harmful activities of Syrk. Analysts have found that Syrk makes certain pernicious Windows Registry Changes that causes unexpected errors, data loss & severe PC performance & stability issues.

Insight into the Ransom Amount Demanded by Hackers

Following the successful encryption of files, Syrk replaces the PC’s wallpaper with a ransom-demanding pop-up, which is in text format. The ransom note file, “Readme_now.txt” contains details of the current situation of PC & instruction for the victims to get their data back.

The note suggests that the encrypted data cannot be restored without the intervention of the hackers. It prompts the victims to contact the hackers on their e-mail id: [email protected] & send them the appointed ID.

To check the unique appointed data, the victims are required to click on “Show My ID” button given at the bottom of the pop-up window.

The hackers then send further instructions to make the payment to restore the encrypted data.

They threaten the users to pay a hefty ransom amount in order to restore the encrypted files. The price of the unique key & Syrk decrypter is, however, unknown. Failing to make the payment in the pre-defined time may lead to the permanent deletion of the files & data.

Fearing to lose their data, victims often pay ransom to the hackers. However, paying the ransom does not guarantee decryption of files. Hackers often stop responding after receiving the ransom. Many of the victims who paid the cyber-criminals got scammed. They did not get the promised Syrk Decryption tool & unique key.

Therefore, under no circumstances, a victim should pay the ransom. Instead of panicking, the victims should act smart & not let hackers extort their hard-earned money.

They can either follow removal guidelines or download Syrk Ransomware removal tool.

Distribution Techniques of Syrk Ransomware

The pernicious Syrk Ransomware is spreading its infection through various channels. Amongst all, malvertising e-mail campaigns, is the most commonly used spread method.

Other spread techniques of Syrk File Virus are mentioned below:

• Fake Software Updating & Activation Tools (Cracked Version of Paid Software)
• Unreliable Software Download Sources
• Exploit Kits
• Zipped Java Script Attachments
• Malware-laden websites, discount links/coupons.

How to remove Syrk Ransomware infection from the system-

STEP A: Reboot your system to Safe Mode

To restart the system to Safe Mode with Networking,  if already switched ON then follow the below steps:

Windows 7/ Vista/ XP

1. Click on Windows icon present in the lower left corner of the computer screen.
2. Select and click  Restart.
3. When the screen goes blank, Keep tapping  F8  Key until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
4. With the help of arrow keys on keyboard, Select Safe Mode with Networking  option from the list and press the Enter Key. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.

5 Click on the username and enter the password (if any).

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Press and hold the Shift Key and simultaneously click on the windows icon present in the lower left corner of your computer screen.
2. While the Shift key is still pressed click on the Power button and then click on Restart.
3. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings.
4. When the Startup Settings screen appears which is the first screen to appear after restart, select and click on Enable Safe Mode with Networking. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.
5. Click on the username and enter the password.

STEP B: Delete the suspicious key from the Configuration Settings

1. Type “Msconfig” in search box / Run Box, select it and press Enter.
2. Click on “Services” Tab and click on “Hide all Microsoft services”.
3. Select Syrk Ransomware from the list of remaining services and disable it by removing the tick mark from the checkbox and click on Apply button.

Windows 7

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with Syrk Ransomware mentioned and remove the check mark.
3. Click on Apply button and then click on OK.

Windows 10

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Take the mouse cursor to ‘Open task Manager‘ link and click on it.  This opens the Task Manager window.
3. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with Syrk Ransomware mentioned and click on it.
4. Then click on Disable button.

STEP C: Remove Malicious Program from Command Prompt

Windows 7/ Vista/ XP

1. Click on Windows icon present in the lower left corner of the computer screen.
2. Select and click Restart.
3. When the screen goes blank, keep tapping F8 key until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
4. With the help of arrow keys on keyboard, Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list and press the Enter Key. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
5. Click on the username and enter the password (if any).

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Press and hold the Shift Key and simultaneously click on the windows icon present in the lower left corner of your computer screen.
2. While the Shift key is still pressed click on the Power button and then click on Restart.
3. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings.
4. When the Startup Settings screen appears which is the first screen to appear after restart, select and click on Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
5. Click on the username and enter the password.

STEP D: Restore the System Files & Settings

Method 1 using Control Panel

1. Click on the ‘Start’ button on the taskbar. This will open the Start menu.
2. Click on the ‘Control Panel’ button in the Start menu. This will open the control panel window.
3. In the Control Panel window, click on the ‘View by:’ button on the top right. Select the Large Icon option
4. In the control Panel window click on the ‘Recovery Icon’. This will open a window that will ask ‘Restore the computer to an earlier point in time’.
5. Click on the ‘Open system restore’ button. This will open the ‘system restore ’window where you need to click on the Next Button.
6.  Select the restore point that is prior the infiltration of Syrk Ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
7. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by Syrk Ransomware.

OR

Method 2 using Command Prompt

1. Type cmd in the search box and click on the command prompt to open the Command Prompt window. box and clicking on it.
2. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.(Ensure that you in the system32 directory of Windows folder in C Drive)
3. Now type rstrui and press Enter again.
4. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Syrk Ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
5. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by Syrk Ransomware.

OR

Method 3 : Directly type ‘rstrui’ in the search box

1. Type ‘Rstrui’ in the search box present on the task bar. This will open the System restore dialog box.

Continue to follow steps 4 & 5 of Method 2 to restore the System Files and settings.

How to prevent from infecting your system

1. Keeping the Operating System Updated- In order to remain protected and avoid such infections, it is recommended to keep your Operating System updated by enabling the automatic update on your system. The systems with outdated or older versions of Operating System become an easy target for the attackers.
2. Resist clicking on spam emails – One of the major techniques used for malware distribution is forwarding spam emails to the user. The system gets infected as soon as the user clicks on the attachment. These mails appear to be genuine, so be aware and resist falling for these tricks.
3. Keep an eye on third party installations- It is quite important that you take due care while installing any third party applications for they are major source of such infections. Such malware programs come bundled with the free applications thereby requiring the user to remain cautious.
4. Regular periodical backup- In order to keep your data and files safe, it is recommended to take regular back up of all your data and files either on an external drive or cloud.
5. Use Anti-Virus Protection- We strongly recommend the use of  antivirus protection/internet security in your PC like Vipre, Kaspersky & BULL GUARD so that it remains safe.
6. Enable the Ad Blocker/Popup Blocker in your browser- Enabling the popup blocker/ ad blocker in your chosen browser will help you to stay protected from annoying adware.