What is Exte ransomware? And how does it work?

Exte ransomware is another file-encrypting threat that leaves your files unreadable after its attack. It is a variant of the Azer ransomware that was also recently released relatively. Both the Exte and Azer ransomware belongs to the CryptMix ransomware family. The Exte ransomware already had its previous version that was released on June 2017 and now its latest version is back with a vengeance. After its infiltration, it stars to look for files to encrypt in your computer. According to our researchers, the ransomware encrypts the following file types:
.aif, .apk, .arj, .asp, .bat, .bin, .cab, .cda, .cer, .cfg, .cfm, .cpl, .css, .csv, .cur, .dat, .deb, .dmg, .dmp, .doc, .docx, .drv, .gif, .htm, .html, .icns, .iso, .jar, .jpeg, .jpg, .jsp, .log, .mid, .mp3, .mp4, .mpa, .odp, .ods, .odt, .ogg,.part, .pdf, .php, .pkg, .png, .ppt, .pptx, .psd, .rar, .rpm, .rss, .rtf, .sql, .svg, .tar.gz, .tex, .tif, .tiff, .toast, .txt, .vcd, .wav, .wks, .wma, .wpd, .wpl, .wps, .wsf, .xlr, .xls, .xlsx, .zip.
Exte ransomware makes use of a strong encryption algorithm to make your files inaccessible and then demands its ransom in the form of a text file named _HELP_INSTRUCTION.txt containing the following message:
“Hello!
Attention! All Your data was encrypted!
For specific informartion, please send us an email with Your ID number:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
We will help You as soon as possible!
DECRYPT-ID-[RANDOM CHARACTERS]”

How does Exte ransomware spread?

Exte ransomware uses spam email campaigns which is one of the most popular distribution methods commonly used by crooks in spreading infection. These spam emails often contain Microsoft document files that are macro-enabled. These macro-enabled .docx files are used in executing Exte ransomware’s attack and initiate its connection to its Command and Control server. Cyber criminals have improved in sending out these emails since they use some well-known personality or company’s name in their emails to tempt their victims in opening and downloading the infected attachments.
To eliminate Exte ransomware, carefully follow the instructions below:
Step 1: Open the Windows Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc at the same time. Proceed to the Processes tab and look for the any suspicious processes that can be related to the Exte ransomware.

Right-click on the processes, then click Open File Location and scan them using a powerful and trusted antivirus like SpyRemover Pro. After opening their folders, end their processes and delete their folders. If the virus scanner fails to detect something that you know is suspicious, don’t hesitate to delete it.
Step 2: Open Control Panel by pressing Start key + R to launch Run and type appwiz.cpl in the search box and click OK.

Step 3: Locate Exte ransomware or any suspicious program and then Uninstall.

Step 4: Open the File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E.
Step 5: Go to the directories listed below and delete anything suspicious in it.

• %AppData%
• %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
• %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
• %TEMP%

Step 6: Look for any malicious executable file that could be related to Exte ransomware
Step 7: Right-click on it and click Delete.

The next step below is not recommended for you if you don’t know how to navigate the Registry Editor. Making registry changes can highly impact your computer. So it is highly advised to use PC Cleaner Pro instead to get rid of the entries that Exte ransomware created. So if you are not familiar with the Windows Registry skip to Step 12 onwards.
However, if you are well-versed in making registry adjustments, then you can proceed to step 8.
Step 8: Open the Registry Editor, to do so, tap Win + R and type in regedit and then press enter.
Step 9: Navigate to the path below:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Step 10: Delete the any suspicious registry value.
Step 11: Close the Registry Editor.
Step 12: Empty the Recycle Bin.
Step 13: TRY to decrypt your encrypted files using the Windows Previous Versions feature.
Keep in mind that decrypting your encrypted files using Windows’ Previous Versions feature will only be effective IF Exte ransomware hasn’t deleted their shadow copies. But still, this is one of the safest and free methods there is, so it’s definitely worth a shot.
To restore the encrypted file, right-click on it and select Properties, a new window will pop-up, then proceed to Previous Versions. It will load the file’s previous version before it was modified. After it loads, select any of the previous versions displayed on the list like the one in the illustration below. And then click the Restore button.

Follow the continued advanced steps below to ensure the removal of the Exte ransomware:
Perform a full system scan using SpyRemover Pro. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
2. After that, the BIOSscreen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

3. To navigate the Advanced Optionuse the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
4. Windows will now load the SafeMode with Networking.
5. Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

6. If done correctly, the Windows Run Boxwill show up.
7. Type in explorer http://www.fixmypcfree.com/install/spyremoverpro

A single space must be in between explorer and http. Click OK.

8. A dialog box will be displayed by Internet Explorer. Click Run to begin downloading SpyRemover Pro. Installation will start automatically once download is done.

9. Click OK to launch SpyRemover Pro.
10. Run SpyRemover Proand perform a full system scan.

11. After all the infections are identified, click REMOVE ALL.

12. Register SpyRemover Proto protect your computer from future threats.