.Nile file extension ransomware (Nile File Recovery Guide)

What is Nile file extension

.Nile file extension is a file extension that is used by the newest version of STOP (djvu) ransomware to mark files that have been encrypted. Nile ransomware is malware created by criminals that restricts access to the victim’s files by encrypting them and demands a ransom for a pair of key-decryptor, necessary for decrypting files. Files encrypted with .nile extension become useless, their contents cannot be read without the key that the criminals have. Fortunately, there is a free Nile File Decrypt Tool, which in some cases can decrypt .nile files. It will be described in detail in this article.

What is Nile ransomware

Nile ransomware is the latest version of STOP ransomware, which was discovered by security researchers recently. This is already the 244 variant (v0244) of the STOP ransomware. Like other variants, it encrypts all files on the computer and then demands a ransom for decryption. Nile encrypts files using a strong encryption method, which eliminates the possibility of finding a key in any way. For each victim, it uses a unique key with a small exception. If the ransomware cannot establish a connection with its command and control server (C&C) before starting the encryption process, then it uses an offline key. This key is the same for different victims, which makes it possible in some cases to decrypt files that were encrypted during the ransomware attack.

Nile ransomware has the ability to encrypt files of any type, regardless of what is in them. But it skips files with the extension: .ini, .dll, .lnk, .bat, .sys and files named ‘_readme.txt’. Thus, the following common file types can be easily encrypted:

.sr2, .xx, .svg, .wbd, .rgss3a, .xmmap, .der, .itl, .avi, .wbm, .wma, .psk, .wsh, .epk, .ysp, .tax, .py, .bkf, .desc, .mp4, .mdbackup, .docx, .m2, .p7c, .wpd, .sis, .hkx, .srf, .pst, .das, .ppt, .bar, .rofl, .cas, .nrw, .kf, .raf, .x3f, .jpeg, .csv, .vpk, .wmd, .odc, .wgz, .m4a, .wn, .cer, .bay, .1, .xbdoc, .xmind, .arch00, .png, .vfs0, .bc6, .7z, .xdl, .itm, .re4, .accdb, .kdb, .cdr, .0, .wsd, .xlsx, .tor, .upk, .vdf, .rar, .dxg, .rim, .wm, .zw, .3dm, .hvpl, .docm, .jpg, .slm, .y, .wma, .wp, .sav, .3fr, .rb, .mlx, .2bp, .ws, .hkdb, .xml, .rwl, .p7b, .erf, .mef, .xlsb, .pak, .webp, .wotreplay, .xbplate, .xxx, .xar, .qdf, .wri, .lbf, .t12, .wp5, .pptx, .asset, .xlsm, .hplg, .xld, .wp7, .z, .zip, .wpg, .indd, .big, .wmv, .ff, .js, .wot, .layout, .ntl, .wire, .snx, .jpe, .zip, .eps, .dmp, .wmo, .sidn, .mcmeta, .wbk, .dcr, .ncf, .wp6, .bik, .gdb, .sidd, .psd, .xpm, .xdb, .ods, .lrf, .iwi, .webdoc, .pdf, .ltx, .menu, .ybk, .gho, .1st, .bkp, .x, .pptm, .dwg, .x3f, .forge, .pem, .fos, .wpw, .pfx, .xf, .zdb, .ibank, .rw2, .wps, .t13, .xyp, .wav, .wpb, .xlk, .3ds, .pdd, .esm, .css, .pkpass, .r3d, .cr2, .mov, .lvl, .vcf, .odt, .iwd, .wsc, .mpqge, .dng, .xwp, .zif, .map, .blob, .ztmp, .mdf, .wmv, .mdb, .wpa, .wdb, .sid, .fpk, .txt, .sum, .vpp_pc, .z3d, .wbc, .itdb, .wps, .wpe, .xls, .bsa, .d3dbsp, .dba, .db0, .fsh, .wpl, .wbz, .odm, .mddata, .sql, .arw, .wbmp, wallet, .wcf, .rtf, .odb, .wpd, .wb2, .litemod, .bc7, .sb, .xlsx, .qic, .pef, .xlsm, .zabw, .doc, .icxs, .wp4, .wmf, .xlgc, .xls, .crw, .odp, .kdc, .w3x, .yal, .zdc, .xll, .sie, .vtf, .wpt, .xy3, .zi, .ai, .cfr, .ptx, .mrwref, .dbf, .raw, .apk, .xyw

Each file that has been encrypted will be renamed. This means the following. If a file was called ‘document.docx’, then after encryption, it will be named ‘document.docx.nile’. Nile ransomware can encrypt files located on all drives connected to the computer. Therefore, files located in network attached storage and external devices can also be encrypted. It encrypts file by file, when all the files in the directory are encrypted, it drops a new file in the directory, which is called ‘_readme.txt’. Below is the contents of this file.

All directories with encrypted files have this file. But the contents of this file are the same everywhere. This file contains a message from Nile creators. In this message, the criminals report that all the files were encrypted and the only way to decrypt them is to buy a decryptor and key. Attackers demand a ransom of $490, if the victim does not pay the ransom within 72 hours, then the ransom will double to $980. Nile authors left two email addresses that the victim must use to contact them. To confirm the possibility of decryption, criminals offer to decrypt one file that does not contain important information for free. But it’s obvious that there is no guarantee that even by paying the ransom, the victim will be able to decrypt all files that have been encrypted.

Threat Summary

Name	Nile ransomware, Nile File Virus
Type	Filecoder, Crypto virus, Crypto malware, Ransomware, File locker
Encrypted files extension	.nile
Ransom note	_readme.txt
Contact	helpmanager@mail.ch, restoremanager@airmail.cc
Ransom amount	$490,$980 in Bitcoins
Detection Names	Trojan.Win32.Chapak.4!c, Trojan.Ransom.Stop, TR/AD.InstaBot.canmb, W32.FamVT.Crypren3.Trojan, Trojan.DownLoader34.16304, Win32/Kryptik.HFHW, Trojan-Banker.IcedID, Trojan.Win32.Chapak.eswy, Malware.Obscure!1.A3BB (CLOUD), Trojan:Win32/Glupteba.DSG!MTB, W32.Trojan.GenKDZ
Symptoms	Your personal files fail to open. Your documents, photos and music now have a odd extension. Files named such as ‘_readme.txt’, ‘#_README_#’, ‘_DECRYPT_’ or ‘recover’ in each folder with at least one encrypted file.. Ransom note in a pop-up window with cybercriminal’s ransom demand and instructions.
Distribution methods	Malicious e-mail spam. Exploit kits (cybercriminals use crypto virus packaged in an ‘exploit kit’ that can find a vulnerability in Web browser, PDF reader, Windows operating system, Adobe Flash Player). Social media, like web-based instant messaging applications. Remote desktop protocol (RDP) hacking.
Removal	Nile ransomware removal guide
Decryption	Nile File Decrypt Tool

 

Nile authors claim that it is impossible to decrypt files that have been encrypted. Unfortunately, this is true. Security researchers confirm that a key and a decryptor are required to decrypt files. As we said above, in some cases, the Nile ransomware encrypts files with an offline key that can be determined by security researchers. Files encrypted with this key can be decrypted using a free Nile File Decrypt Tool. In all remaining cases, decryption is not yet possible. But there are several alternative ways that can allow everyone to recover the contents of encrypted files.

How to remove Nile ransomware virus, Decrypt/Recover .nile files

If your files were encrypted with the Nile ransomware virus, we recommend using the following steps, which will allow you to remove the ransomware and decrypt (restore) the encrypted files. Read this entire manual, then open it on your smartphone or print it. So it will be more convenient for you to carry out all the necessary actions.

1. How to remove Nile ransomware virus
2. How to decrypt .nile files
3. How to restore .nile files
4. How to protect your computer from Nile ransomware

How to remove Nile ransomware virus

Before you start decrypting or recovering .nile files, you need to remove Nile ransomware and its autostart entries. This must be done since otherwise the ransomware may re-encrypt the restored files. You can stop the ransomware from working, as it is not difficult to do. Another option is to perform a full system scan using free malware removal tools capable of detecting and removing ransomware infection.

It is very important to scan the computer for malware, as security researchers found that spyware could be installed on the infected computer along with the Nile ransomware. Spyware is a very dangerous security threat as it is designed to steal the user’s personal information such as passwords, logins, contact details, etc. If you have any difficulty removing the Nile virus, then let us know in the comments, we will try to help you.

To remove Nile ransomware, follow the steps below:

1. Kill the Nile ransomware process
2. Disable the Nile ransomware Start-Up
3. Delete the Nile ransomware Task
4. Delete the Nile ransomware File
5. Scan computer for malware

Kill the Nile ransomware process

Press CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together.

Click Task Manager. Select the “Processes” tab, look for something suspicious that is the Nile ransomware then right-click it and select “End Task” or “End Process” option. If your Task Manager does not open or the Windows reports “Task manager has been disabled by your administrator”, then follow the guide: How to Fix Task manager has been disabled by your administrator.

A process is particularly suspicious: it is taking up a lot of memory (despite the fact that you closed all of your programs, its name is not familiar to you (if you are in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for its name in Google, Yahoo or Bing).

Disable the Nile ransomware Start-Up

Select the “Start-Up” tab, look for something similar to the one shown in the example below, right click to it and select Disable.

Close Task Manager.

Delete the Nile ransomware Task

Type “Task Scheduler” in the search bar. Click Task Scheduler app in the search results. Click “Task Scheduler Library” in the left panel. On the right panel, right-click to “Time Trigger Task” and select Delete.

Close Task Scheduler.

Delete the Nile ransomware File

Run Task Manager and select the “Start-Up” tab. Right click to the Nile ransomware Start-Up entry and select Open File Location as shown below.

A directory containing one file will open in front of you, this file is the Nile ransomware. It needs to be removed. If you try to delete it immediately, then you will not succeed, since this file is protected from deletion.

To delete this file, you need to do the following. Right-click on the file, select Properties. In the window that opens, select Security tab. Next, click the Advanced button below. A window will open as shown in the following example.

Click Disable inheritance. In the Block inheritance dialog box that opens, select the first item (Convert inherited permissions…) as shown below.

In the Permission entries list, select “Deny Everyone”, click Remove button and then OK. Close the file properties window. You should now be able to remove the Nile ransomware File. Right-click on the file and select Delete.

Scan computer for malware

Zemana Anti-Malware is a malware scanner that is very effective for detecting and removing the Nile ransomware virus. The steps below will explain how to download, install, and use Zemana to scan your computer and remove ransomware, malicious software, worms, trojans, adware software, spyware and other security threats for free.

1. Zemana can be downloaded from the following link. Save it directly to your Windows Desktop.
   
   

   Zemana AntiMalware
   164032 downloads
   Author: Zemana Ltd
   Category: Security tools
   Update: July 16, 2019
   
2. At the download page, click on the Download button. Your browser will show the “Save as” dialog box. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
3. Once the downloading process is complete, please close all programs and open windows on your computer. Next, start a file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
4. This will start the “Setup wizard” of Zemana onto your computer. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
5. When the Setup wizard has finished installing, Zemana Anti Malware will launch and show the main window.
6. Further, click the “Scan” button . Zemana Anti-Malware utility will start scanning the whole PC to find out the Nile ransomware virus related folders,files and registry keys. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your personal computer. While Zemana is checking, you may see how many objects it has identified either as being malicious software.
7. When Zemana Anti Malware is done scanning your machine, it will display a scan report.
8. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click the “Next” button. The utility will start to delete the Nile ransomware, other kinds of potential threats like spyware and trojans. After disinfection is complete, you may be prompted to reboot the PC.
9. Close the Zemana and continue with the next step.

In order to be 100% sure that the computer no longer has the Nile malware, we recommend using the Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT). It is a free removal tool that can be downloaded and used to remove ransomware, adware, spyware, trojans, worms, potentially unwanted programs, malware and other security threats from your personal computer. You can use this tool to detect threats even if you have an antivirus or any other security program.

Download Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT) on your computer by clicking on the link below.

After the download is complete, double-click on the Kaspersky virus removal tool icon. Once initialization process is finished, you’ll see the Kaspersky virus removal tool screen as displayed below.

Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Click OK to close the Parameters window. Next click Start scan button to begin scanning your computer for the Nile crypto malware and other malicious software. This task can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the KVRT application is checking, you may see how many objects it has identified as threat.

When the scan get finished, Kaspersky virus removal tool will display a scan report like the one below.

Make sure to check mark the items which are unsafe and then click on Continue to start a cleaning procedure.

How to decrypt .nile files

All files with the ‘.nile’ extension are encrypted. Their contents cannot be unlocked simply by removing this extension or completely changing the filename. To decrypt .nile files, you need a Nile File Decrypt Tool. Fortunately, Emsisoft has created a free decryptor called STOP Djvu decryptor.

To decrypt .nile files, use free Nile File Decrypt Tool

• Download Nile File Decrypt Tool from the following link.
  STOP Djvu decryptor
• Scroll down to ‘New Djvu ransomware’ section.
• Click the download link and save the ‘decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe’ file to your desktop.
• Run decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe, read the license terms and instructions.
• On the ‘Decryptor’ tab, using the ‘Add a folder’ button, add the directory or disk where the encrypted files are located.
• Click the ‘Decrypt’ button.

Nile File Decrypt Tool is a free tool that allows everyone to decrypt .nile files for free. At the moment, the decryptor can only decrypt files that have been encrypted with an offline key. Unfortunately, if the files were encrypted with an online key, then the free decryptor is completely useless. The online key is unique to each infected computer, and at the moment there is no way to find this key. Of course, criminals have this key, but we do not think that paying a ransom is a way to decrypt .nile files. In the case when the files are encrypted with an online key, there is a chance to restore the encrypted files using alternative methods, which are described below.

How to find out which key was used to encrypt files

Since Nile File Decrypt Tool only decrypts files encrypted with the offline key, each Nile’s victim needs to find out which key was used to encrypt the files. Determining the type of key used is not difficult. Below we give two ways. Use any of them. We recommend using the second method, as it is more accurate.

Find out the type of key using ‘_readme.txt’ file

• Open the ransom demand message (‘_readme.txt’ file).
• Scroll down to the end of the file.
• There you will see a line with the text ‘Your personal ID’.
• Below is a line of characters that starts with ‘0244’ – this is your personal id.

Find out the type of key using ‘PersonalID.txt’ file

• Open disk C.
• Open directory ‘SystemID’.
• Open file named ‘PersonalID.txt’. This file lists ‘Personal ID’s that match the keys that the Nile ransomware used to encrypt files.

The ‘Personal ID’ is not a key, it is an identifier related to a key that was used to encrypt files. If the ID ends with ‘t1’, then the files are encrypted with an offline key. If the ID does not end with ‘t1’, the Nile ransomware used an online key. If you could not figure out how to determine which key was used to encrypt files, then we can help. Just write a request here or in the comments below.

Nile File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant online ID”

If, when you try to decrypt .nile files, Nile File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant online ID: *
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible

It means that your files are encrypted with an ‘online key’ and their decryption is impossible, since only the nile authors have the key necessary for decryption. In this case, you need to use alternative methods listed below to restore the contents of encrypted files.

Nile File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant offline ID”

If, during decryption of .nile files, Nile File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant offline ID: *t1
Notice: this ID appears be an offline ID, decryption MAY be possible in the future.

It means the following: your files are encrypted with an ‘offline key’, but the key itself has not yet been obtained by security researchers, in this case, you need to be patient and wait a while, in addition, you can also use alternative ways for recovering encrypted data.

If for some reason you were unable to decrypt the encrypted files, then We recommend to follow the news on our Facebook or YouTube channels. So you ‘ll know right away that it ‘s possible to decrypt .nile files.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to remove Nile ransomware and Decrypt/Recover .nile files.

How to restore .nile files

As we already said, Nile File Decypt Tool can only decrypt files encrypted using the so called ‘offline key’. What to do when files were encrypted with an online key? Even in this case, everyone has a chance to recover the contents of encrypted files. This is possible due to the existence of several alternative ways to restore files. Each of these methods does not require a decryptor and a unique key, which is in the hands of criminals. The only thing we strongly recommend that you perform (if you have not already done so) is to perform a full scan of the computer. You must be 100% sure that Nile virus has been removed. To find and remove ransomware, use the free malware removal tools.

Restore .nile files using Shadow Explorer

The Windows OS (10, 8, 7 , Vista) has one very useful feature, it makes copies of all files that have been modified or deleted. This is done so that the user can recover, if necessary, the previous version of accidentally deleted or damaged files. These copies of the files are called ‘Shadow copies’. One tool that can help you recover files from the Shadow copies is ShadowExplorer. It is very small tool and easy to use. Unfortunately, ransomware often delete Shadow copies, thus blocking this method of recovering encrypted files. Nevertheless, be sure to try this method.

First, visit the following page, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of ShadowExplorer.

After downloading is done, 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 displayed in the following example.

Launch the ShadowExplorer utility and then choose the disk (1) and the date (2) that you wish to recover the shadow copy of file(s) encrypted by the Nile ransomware as displayed in the following example.

Now navigate to the file or folder that you wish to recover. When ready right-click on it and press ‘Export’ button as on the image below.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using Shadow Explorer.

Use PhotoRec to restore .nile files

Another alternative way to recover encrypted files is to use data recovery tools. We recommend using a program called PhotoRec. This tool is free and does not require installation. Below we will show in detail how to use it to restore encrypted files.

Download PhotoRec on your MS Windows Desktop from the link below.

After the downloading process is finished, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to testdisk-7.0.win and choose Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the testdisk-7.0 folder like below.

Double click on qphotorec_win to run PhotoRec for Windows. It’ll display a screen as on the image below.

Select a drive to recover like below.

You will see a list of available partitions. Choose a partition that holds encrypted personal files as displayed on the screen below.

Press File Formats button and specify 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 choose where restored files should be written, then press Search. We strongly recommend that you save the recovered files to an external drive.

Count of restored files is updated in real time. All restored photos, documents 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, click on Quit button. Next, open the directory where restored documents, photos and music are stored. You will see a contents as on the image below.

All restored photos, documents and music 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.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using PhotoRec.

How to protect your computer from Nile ransomware

Most antivirus programs already have built-in protection system against the ransomware. Therefore, if your personal computer does not have an antivirus application, make sure you install it. As an extra protection, use the HitmanPro.Alert. All-in-all, HitmanPro.Alert is a fantastic tool to protect your machine from any ransomware. If ransomware is detected, then HitmanPro.Alert automatically neutralizes malware and restores the encrypted files. HitmanPro.Alert is compatible with all versions of MS Windows OS from MS Windows XP to Windows 10.

Download HitmanPro.Alert on your MS Windows Desktop by clicking on the following link.

Once the download is finished, open the file location. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the HitmanPro Alert desktop icon. After the tool is started, you’ll be shown a window where you can select a level of protection, as displayed on the image below.

Now press the Install button to activate the protection.

Finish words

This guide was created to help all victims of the Nile ransomware virus. We tried to give answers to the following questions: how to remove Nile ransomware; how to decrypt .nile files; how to recover files, if the Nile File Decypt Tool does not help; what is an online key and what is an offline key. We hope that the information presented in this manual has helped you.

If you have questions, then write to us, leaving a comment below. If you need more help with Nile related issues, go to here.