Remove EXTE ransomware virus (Restore .EXTE files)

The EXTE is a ransomware virus, which made to encrypt the personal personal files found on infected PC using RSA + AES encryption method, appending .EXTE extension to all encrypted personal files. Once the encryption process is finished, it will open a ransom instructions offering decrypt all users personal files if a payment is made.

The ransom demanding message offers victim to contact EXTE’s creators (exte1@msgden.net, exte2@protonmail.com, exte3@reddithub.com) in order to decrypt all photos, documents and music. These persons will require to pay a ransom (usually demand for $300-1000 in Bitcoins). We do not recommend paying a ransom, as there is no guarantee that you will be able to decrypt your personal files. Especially since you have a chance to restore your photos, documents and music for free using free tools such as ShadowExplorer and PhotoRec.

Instructions that is shown below, will help you to remove EXTE virus as well as recover encrypted documents, photos and music stored on your PC drives.

What is EXTE ransomware

EXTE is a variant of crypto viruses (malicious software that encrypt personal files and demand a ransom). It affects all current versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10. This virus uses a strong encryption algorithm with big key to eliminate the possibility of brute force a key that will allow to decrypt encrypted documents, photos and music.

When the ransomware infects a PC system, it uses system directories to store own files. To run automatically whenever you turn on your computer, EXTE ransomware infection creates a registry entry in Windows: sections HKCU \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run, HKCU \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ RunOnce, HKCU \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run, HKCU \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ RunOnce.

Immediately after the launch, the ransomware scans all available drives, including network and cloud storage, to determine which files will be encrypted. The virus uses the file name extension, as a way to define a group of files that will be subjected to encrypting. Encrypted almost all types of files, including common as:

.pdf, .dmp, .ltx, .esm, .wpb, .nrw, .docm, .txt, .lbf, .indd, .cr2, .wn, .iwi, .wbmp, .gdb, .accdb, .pem, .d3dbsp, .bkp, .xyp, .rar, .wgz, .kdb, .wpa, .dxg, .7z, .wp6, .pdd, .rgss3a, .ods, .dng, .mcmeta, .0, .itm, .png, .itl, .x3d, .pptm, .zdc, .r3d, .xlsx, .cdr, wallet, .xxx, .z, .wpw, .rim, .xbdoc, .bay, .xlsm, .srf, .sie, .flv, .slm, .odc, .wp5, .eps, .wbm, .wm, .wpg, .psk, .js, .zi, .odt, .fsh, .wbk, .ptx, .fos, .3dm, .wbd, .icxs, .mlx, .dwg, .wp7, .wmv, .wbz, .zw, .x3f, .3fr, .bkf, .sidn, .syncdb, .rofl, .py, .odp, .m2, .csv, .2bp, .erf, .vdf, .jpg, .wpl, .wsh, .xls, .bc6, .wmv, .qic, .wpe, .m3u, .wdp, .xll, .docx, .lrf, .menu, .t12, .upk, .apk, .iwd, .svg, .arch00, .dazip, .ztmp, .ysp, .bik, .fpk, .mp4, .big, .rb, .psd, .xar, .avi, .qdf, .pst, .xmind, .wotreplay, .zdb, .kdc, .wot, .wri, .wav, .mddata, .dbf, .bsa, .ibank, .itdb, .mdf, .yml, .sql, .srw, .3ds, .wdb, .crw, .cer, .jpeg, .rtf, .wbc, .hkdb, .rwl, .mov, .tor, .raw, .wcf, .cfr, .arw, .db0, .wmd, .hkx, .vpk, .mpqge, .zip, .sis, .ybk, .t13, .yal, .wp, .das, .pfx, .re4, .webp, .orf, .odb, .vcf, .epk, .hvpl, .wma, .ai, .jpe, .wpd, .wps, .raf, .dba, .desc, .snx, .wma, .wpd, .y, .wpt, .wps, .xld, .sid, .xls, .forge, .ntl, .1, .wsd, .pef, .blob, .zabw, .xwp, .vtf, .ff, .sum, .bc7, .sb, .litemod, .p7c, .w3x, .pak, .xy3, .ppt, .x3f, .1st, .wsc, .pkpass, .pptx, .wp4, .bar, .vfs0, .m4a, .odm, .sav, .sr2, .tax, .mdb, .xbplate, .xmmap, .webdoc

Once a file is encrypted, its extension replaced to .EXTE. Next, the ransomware infection creates a file called “_HELP_INSTRUCTION.TXT”. This file contain instructions on how to decrypt all encrypted files. An example of the instructions is:

Hello!

Attention! All Your data was encrypted!

For specific informartion, please send us an email with Your ID number:

exte1@msgden.net

exte2@protonmail.com

exte3@reddithub.com

We will help You as soon as possible!

DECRYPT-ID- xxx number

The EXTE ransomware virus actively uses scare tactics by giving the victim a brief description of the encryption algorithm and showing a ransom instructions on the desktop. It is trying to force the user of the infected computer, do not hesitate to pay a ransom, in an attempt to recover their personal files.

How to decrypt .EXTE files

Currently there is no available method to decrypt .EXTE files, but you have a chance to restore encrypted files for free. The ransomware repeatedly tells the victim that uses a strong encryption algorithm with 2048-bit key. What does it mean to decrypt the files is impossible without the private key. Use a “brute forcing” is also not a solution because of the big length of the key. Therefore, unfortunately, the only payment to the creators of the EXTE virus entire amount requested – the only way to try to get the decryption key and decrypt all your files.

There is absolutely no guarantee that after pay a ransom to the makers of the EXTE ransomware virus, they will provide the necessary key to decrypt your files. In addition, you must understand that paying money to the cyber criminals, you are encouraging them to create a new ransomware.

How to remove EXTE ransomware

In order to remove EXTE ransomware virus from your PC system, you need to stop all ransomware infection processes and delete its associated files including Windows registry entries. If any ransomware components are left on the system, the ransomware infection can reinstall itself the next time the computer boots up. Usually ransomwares uses random name consist of characters and numbers that makes a manual removal process very difficult. We advise you to use a free virus removal tools which will allow get rid of EXTE ransomware virus from your PC. Below you can found a few popular malware removers that detects various ransomware.

Remove EXTE ransomware with Zemana Anti-malware

Zemana Anti-malware is a utility that can get rid of ransomware infections, adware, potentially unwanted applications, {hijacker}s and other malicious software from your personal computer easily and for free. Zemana Anti-malware is compatible with most antivirus software. It works under Windows (10 – XP, 32 and 64 bit) and uses minimum of computer resources.

Download Zemana antimalware by clicking on the following link.

When downloading is finished, start it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Zemana antimalware will try to update itself and when this procedure is finished, click the “Scan” button . This utility will now start checking your computer for the EXTE ransomware infection .

This task can take some time, so please be patient. While the tool is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as being infected by malicious software. Review the report and then click “Next” button.

The Zemana anti-malware will start removing all detected folders, files, services and registry entries.

Use Malwarebytes to remove EXTE virus

You can remove EXTE ransomware automatically with a help of Malwarebytes Free. We recommend this free malicious software removal utility because it may easily remove ransomware viruss, ‘ad supported’ software, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.

Download Malwarebytes Free by clicking on the link below.

Once the downloading process is complete, close all windows on your system. Further, start the file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as shown below, press the “Yes” button.

It will show the “Setup wizard” that will help you install Malwarebytes on the PC system. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

Once installation is done successfully, click Finish button. Then Malwarebytes will automatically launch and you can see its main window as displayed on the screen below.

Next, press the “Scan Now” button to start checking your system for the EXTE virus and other known infections. This task can take some time, so please be patient. When a malware, ‘ad supported’ software or ransomware are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is complete.

When the system scan is complete, you can check all items found on your PC system. Make sure all malicious entries are ‘selected’ and click “Quarantine Selected” button.

The Malwarebytes will start removing EXTE ransomware and other security threats. Once disinfection is done, you can be prompted to restart your PC system. We suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the Malwarebytes to delete ransomware, ad supported software and other malicious software.

Remove EXTE ransomware virus with KVRT

The KVRT tool is free and easy to use. It can scan and remove ransomware like EXTE, malicious software, potentially unwanted programs and ad-supported software in Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, FF and Microsoft Edge internet browsers and thereby restore their default settings (newtab page, startpage and search engine by default). KVRT is powerful enough to find and remove malicious registry entries and files that are hidden on the machine.

Download Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT) from the following link. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.

When downloading is complete, double-click on the Kaspersky virus removal tool icon. Once initialization process is finished, you will see the KVRT screen as shown below.

Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Click OK to close the Parameters window. Next click Start scan button . This tool will now start scanning your PC for the EXTE ransomware . While the application is checking, you may see number of objects it has identified as threat.

When it has finished scanning your system, the results are displayed in the scan report like below.

Review the report and then click on Continue to begin a cleaning procedure.

How to restore .EXTE files

In some cases, you can restore files encrypted by EXTE virus. Try both methods. Important to understand that we cannot guarantee that you will be able to recover all encrypted photos, documents and music.

Run ShadowExplorer to recover .EXTE files

If automated backup (System Restore) is enabled, then you can use it to recover all encrypted files to previous versions.

Download ShadowExplorer on your PC system by clicking on the link below.

After the download is finished, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to ShadowExplorer-0.9-portable and select Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the ShadowExplorerPortable folder as shown in the figure below.

Double click ShadowExplorerPortable to launch it. You will see the a window as shown on the screen below.

In top left corner, choose a Drive where encrypted files are stored and a latest restore point as displayed on the screen below (1 – drive, 2 – restore point).

On right panel look for a file that you want to restore, right click to it and select Export as shown on the screen below.

Recover .EXTE files with PhotoRec

Before a file is encrypted, the EXTE ransomware infection makes a copy of this file, encrypts it, and then deletes the original file. This can allow you to restore your documents, photos and music using file restore software like PhotoRec.

Download PhotoRec on your computer from the link below.

Once downloading is complete, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to testdisk-7.0.win and select Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the testdisk-7.0 folder as shown in the figure below.

Double click on qphotorec_win to run PhotoRec for MS Windows. It’ll display a screen like below.

Select a drive to recover as on the image below.

You will see a list of available partitions. Choose a partition that holds encrypted documents, photos and music like below.

Press File Formats button and choose file types to recover. You can to enable or disable the recovery of certain file types. When this is complete, click OK button.

Next, click Browse button to select where restored documents, photos and music should be written, then press Search.

Count of restored files is updated in real time. All restored documents, photos and music are written in a folder that you have chosen on the previous step. You can to access the files even if the recovery process is not finished.

When the recovery is complete, press on Quit button. Next, open the directory where recovered photos, documents and music are stored. You will see a contents like below.

All recovered files are written in recup_dir.1, recup_dir.2 … sub-directories. If you’re searching for a specific file, then you can to sort your recovered files by extension and/or date/time.

How to prevent your personal computer from becoming infected by EXTE ransomware virus?

Most antivirus programs already have built-in protection system against the virus. Therefore, if your system does not have an antivirus program, make sure you install it. As an extra protection, use the CryptoPrevent.

Run CryptoPrevent to protect your system from EXTE ransomware virus

{cryptoprevent_desc}

Download CryptoPrevent on your Microsoft Windows Desktop by clicking on the following link.

www.foolishit.com/download/cryptoprevent/

Run it and follow the setup wizard. Once the setup is finished, you’ll be shown a window where you can select a level of protection, as displayed in the figure below.

Now click the Apply button to activate the protection.

To sum up

After completing the few simple steps shown above, your machine should be clean from EXTE ransomware and other malware. Your PC will no longer encrypt your documents, photos and music. Unfortunately, if the step-by-step guidance does not help you, then you have caught a new variant of ransomware virus, and then the best way – ask for help.

1. Download HijackThis by clicking on the link below and save it to your Desktop.
   
   

   HijackThis download
   4692 downloads
   Version: 2.0.5
   Author: OpenSource
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 7, 2015
   
2. Double-click on the HijackThis icon. Next click “Do a system scan only” button.
3. When it completes the scan, the scan button will read “Save log”, click it. Save this log to your desktop.
4. Create a Myantispyware account here. Once you’ve registered, check your e-mail for a confirmation link, and confirm your account. After that, login.
5. Copy and paste the contents of the HijackThis log into your post. If you are posting for the first time, please start a new thread by using the “New Topic” button in the Spyware Removal forum. When posting your HJT log, try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately.
6. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the EXTE virus.