2NEW file extension
.2NEW file extension is a file extension that uses malware belonging to the Crysis/Dharma ransomware family to mark files that have been encrypted. Ransomware is a malicious program that encrypts user files and demands a ransom for a key-decryptor pair that is necessary to decrypt the affected files. Ransomware uses a strong encryption system and a long key, which virtually eliminates the possibility of decrypting files without a key. Files encrypted with .2NEW extension become useless, their contents cannot be read without the key that the criminals have.
2NEW virus
2NEW virus is one of the variants of Dharma/Crysis ransomware. This malware most often gets to the computer as part of other programs (torrents files, freeware, cracked apps and games) that have been downloaded by the user from the Internet. After its start, the virus begins to encrypt files using a key that is individual for each computer. 2NEW virus uses a very strong encryption system, which eliminates the possibility of determining the key, even using a super computer. The encryption process is very fast, regardless of what is in the file, the virus can easily encrypt it. 2NEW can encrypt almost all files that are on the computer, including those located on network drives. The only thing that the virus does not encrypt is the files that are necessary for the Windows OS to function normally. Below we list the types of files that can be encrypted by the ransomware.
.xls, .upk, .wbz, .ods, .pem, .arch00, .wot, .dbf, .mcmeta, .doc, .wbmp, .vdf, .pdd, .rofl, .sb, .der, .orf, .x3f, .menu, .js, .ws, .xlk, .xy3, .dcr, .wmv, .rwl, .m3u, .bkf, .png, .wmv, .zif, .wb2, .xdb, .docx, .wp, .wsd, .0, .pdf, .svg, .xlgc, .hvpl, .mdb, .wav, .xbdoc, .gdb, .arw, .dazip, .bc7, .lvl, .pptx, .xlsm, .vcf, .accdb, .cer, .dwg, .mef, .wm, .sie, .mpqge, .2bp, .wp5, .crw, .jpg, .jpe, .xld, .xlsx, .wotreplay, .eps, .bc6, .jpeg, .rgss3a, .ncf, .tor, .p12, .kf, .docm, .sis, .m2, .wma, .csv, .mrwref, .dmp, .wbd, .vtf, .bar, .zw, .esm, .webp, .py, .apk, .xmind, .dng, .bik, .snx, .wpb, .wsh, .hkx, .d3dbsp, .wmd, .sr2, .wdb, .xmmap, .rb, .1st, .1, .fsh, .nrw, .x, .erf, .cas, .kdc, .wpl, .odt, .odp, .wdp, .crt, .zdc, .xyw, .xdl, .mp4, .odm, .forge, .3fr, .zip, .mlx, .tax, .sql, .ptx, .srf, .yml, .p7b, .sav, .ltx, .psk, .wma, .pst, .bay, .xf, .rim, .wmo, .psd, .xpm, .3dm, .itdb, .ysp, .wmf, .cfr, .xxx, .wbc, .blob, .iwd, .sidd, .sid, .gho, .cr2, .y, .kdb, .odc, .raf, .wps, .qdf, .bsa, .z3d, .xyp, .db0, .slm, .x3d, .vpk, .t12, .7z, .mov, .re4, .css, .ntl, .cdr, .bkp, .wp6, .itl, .flv, .wbm, .z, .m4a, .wcf, .xar, .rar, .vfs0, .txt, .xwp, .dxg, .zdb, .xlsb, .lbf, .hplg, .wgz, .xlsm, .wps, .ybk, .wpw, .fos, .asset
When the file is encrypted, ‘.id-USERID.[EMAIL-ADDRESS].2NEW’ is added at the end of its name, that is, if you had a file of ‘document.docx’, then a file with the name ‘document.docx.id-USERID.[EMAIL-ADDRESS].2NEW’ will appear in its place. If you change the file name, just delete the added extension, then nothing will change. The file will remain encrypted, and as before, this file will not be possible to open in the program with which it is associated.
Perhaps you found on your computer or its desktop a new file called ‘FILES ENCRYPTED.txt’, which for some reason is not encrypted. An example of such a file is given below.
all your data has been locked us
You want to return?
write email new2crypt@aol.com or 2new2crypt@aol.com
This file is very important, in addition to containing a ransom demand, it also contains information that allows you to contact intruders. According to the message, the victim is invited to contact the attackers using the given email address. In response, the authors of the virus will give a Bitcoin address to which the ransom must be transferred. Of course, you should understand that there is no guarantee that the attackers, after receiving the ransom, will provide you with the key necessary to decrypt your files. In addition, by paying the ransom, you will push attackers to create a new ransomware.
Threat Summary
Name | 2NEW |
Type | Ransomware, File locker, Crypto virus, Crypto malware, Filecoder |
Encrypted files extension | .id-USERID.[EMAIL-ADDRESS].2NEW (example: .id-0A5172BD.[new2crypt@aol.com].2NEW) |
Ransom note | FILES ENCRYPTED.txt |
Contact | new2crypt@aol.com, 2new2crypt@aol.com |
Ransom amount | $300-$1500 in Bitcoins |
Detection Names | Trojan/Win32.Crysis.R213980, Trojan.Ransom.Crysis.E, W32.RansomeDNZ.Trojan, Win.Trojan.Dharma-6668198-0, Trojan.Encoder.3953, Win32/Filecoder.Crysis.P, W32/Wadhrama.B, W32/Crysis.W!tr.ransom, Trojan-Ransom.Crysis, Ransom:Win32/Wadhrama.C, Troj/Criakl-G, Ransom.Win32.CRYSIS.SM |
Symptoms | Your documents, photos and music now have new extensions that end with something like .locked, .crypted or .cryptor. Files named like ‘FILES ENCRYPTED.txt’, ‘READ-ME’, ‘_open me’, _DECRYPT YOUR FILES’ or ‘_Your files have been encrypted” in every folder with an encrypted file. ‘All files on your computer have been encrypted’ message on your desktop. |
Distribution methods | Malicious e-mail spam. Drive-by downloading (when a user unknowingly visits an infected web site and then malware is installed without the user’s knowledge). Social media, such as web-based instant messaging programs. USB sticks containing malware. |
Removal | 2NEW virus removal guide |
As we have already said, 2NEW virus is not the first in its series. The fact that to date, antivirus companies have not created a way to decrypt files, and just have not found a 100% way to protect the user’s computers (otherwise how would you be on our site), indicates the complexity of the virus and the method that it uses to encrypt files. Nevertheless, you do not need to despair. There are several ways to find and remove 2NEW ransomware, and there is also a chance to restore part or even all encrypted files to their original state. Below we will describe in detail how to do this.
How to remove 2NEW virus & Restore .2NEW files
If you encounter the malicious actions of 2NEW virus, and your files have been encrypted with ‘.2NEW’ extension, then you need to remove the virus or be 100% sure that there is no ransomware on your computer, and then proceed to restore the files. Both the virus removal process and the file recovery process will take a lot of time, so do not believe the magical instructions that say that this can be done very quickly. We definitely recommend, even if for some reason one of the methods proposed below did not suit you, try another one and try all of them. Perhaps one of them will help you. Feel free to ask questions in the special section on our website or in the comments below. In addition, we want to add that all the tools that we recommend using in our instructions are free and verified by security experts. And the last, before proceeding with the instructions, we advise you to read it thoroughly carefully, and then print or open it on a tablet or smartphone to have it always at hand.
- How to remove 2NEW ransomware virus
- How to decrypt .2NEW files
- How to restore .2NEW files
- How to protect your computer from 2NEW crypto virus
How to remove 2NEW ransomware virus
To remove the 2NEW virus, we recommend using free malware removal tools, which we will consider below. You can use them in the same sequence as we gave, or in the order as you like. Perhaps you think that this virus can be removed manually by using some magic OS functions or by pressing a few keys. Probably a professional or computer specialist with great knowledge will be able to, but I recommend you use malware removal tools. They will do all the work for you, and most importantly they will prevent damage to system files that you might accidentally do. Of course, if you have an antivirus, you can use it first, but if it missed this ransomware, then your trust in it is greatly undermined.
How to remove 2NEW ransomware with Zemana
The first utility that we suggest you use is Zemana Anti-malware. This is a time-tested program that we and experts trust. It will help you check your computer, find and remove 2NEW ransomware. Importantly, this tool is small in size, has a quick scanner and a powerful virus detection and removal system. If you have installed anti-virus, then this program can work with it, that is, you do not need to make any changes to the anti-virus settings.
Visit the following page to download Zemana install package called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your PC system. Save it directly to your Windows Desktop.
164107 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Start the installer after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to install this utility on your PC.
During installation you can change some settings, but we advise you do not make any changes to default settings.
When setup is complete, this malware removal utility will automatically launch and update itself. You will see its main window as shown on the screen below.
Now press the “Scan” button for scanning your machine for the 2NEW crypto malware, other kinds of potential threats like malicious software and trojans. This task may take some time, so please be patient. During the scan Zemana Free will search for threats exist on your personal computer.
Once Zemana Anti Malware completes the scan, Zemana Free will show a scan report. You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply press “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti Malware will remove 2NEW ransomware virus, other malicious software, worms and trojans and move security threats to the Quarantine. When the process is complete, you can be prompted to reboot your machine to make the change take effect.
Remove 2NEW virus with MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM)
You can remove 2NEW virus automatically with a help of MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). We recommend this malicious software removal utility because it can easily remove crypto viruses, adware, malware and other unwanted programs with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.
- Installing the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware from the following link.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326460 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- At the download page, click on the Download button. Your browser will show the “Save as” prompt. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
- After the downloading process is complete, please close all apps and open windows on your PC. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup.
- This will run the “Setup wizard” of MalwareBytes onto your machine. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
- When the Setup wizard has finished installing, the MalwareBytes Free will launch and open the main window.
- Further, click the “Scan Now” button . MalwareBytes utility will begin scanning the whole PC to find out 2NEW ransomware related folders,files and registry keys. While the MalwareBytes Free utility is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being affected by malicious software.
- After the checking is finished, MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will display a list of all items detected by the scan.
- When you’re ready, click the “Quarantine Selected” button. When the clean up is complete, you may be prompted to restart the computer.
- Close the Anti Malware and continue with the next step.
Video instruction, which reveals in detail the steps above.
Remove 2NEW ransomware virus from the system with Kaspersky virus removal tool
Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT) is a free portable program that scans your computer for crypto viruses, spyware, adware, worms, trojans and helps remove them easily. Moreover, it will also help you delete any other security threats for free.
Download Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT) by clicking on the link below. Save it on your MS Windows desktop.
129082 downloads
Author: Kaspersky® lab
Category: Security tools
Update: March 5, 2018
When downloading is finished, double-click on the KVRT icon. Once initialization process is finished, you will see the KVRT screen as on the image below.
Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Click OK to close the Parameters window. Next press Start scan button to perform a system scan with this tool for the 2NEW crypto virus and other trojans and malicious software. During the scan KVRT will scan for threats present on your PC.
Once the scan get finished, KVRT will open a list of detected items as displayed in the figure below.
In order to remove all threats, simply click on Continue to start a cleaning task.
How to decrypt .2NEW files
All files with the ‘.2NEW’ extension are encrypted. Their contents cannot be unlocked simply by removing this extension or completely changing the filename. Unfortunately, as we already reported in this article, there is currently no way to decrypt files. The reason for this is the complexity of the encryption algorithm that the authors of 2NEW virus use. In principle, this is what the attackers sought. But this does not mean that you have no choice and you need to pay a ransom for your files.
Never pay the ransom! Any security expert will tell you this. Of course, there is a chance that by paying a ransom, 2NEW virus authors will allow you to unlock your files, but there is no guarantee. Moreover, you should understand that when you pay a ransom, you unknowingly push the attackers to create new, even more destructive viruses.
Do not forget that besides you, thousands more people around the world have lost their files, that is, you are not alone. Antivirus companies, secuity experts are working on something that will allow you to decrypt .2NEW files. Perhaps in the future an universal method will be developed that will allow all victims to unlock all their data.
Of course, as soon as a way to decrypt the files appears, we will post a message about this to this article or to our facebook account. Therefore, we recommend that you follow the updates.
How to restore .2NEW files
As we wrote above, you cannot decrypt files encrypted with this virus. But you can use a different way, there is a small chance to restore .2NEW files without decrypting them. Programs created for searching and recovering lost and deleted data can help you with this. We offer you to use the following free programs: PhotoRec and ShadowExplorer. Only two things that I want to say additionally. First, before restoring files, you must be 100% sure that there is no ransomware on the computer. We recommend using free malware removal tools that we examined in this article. Second, and what is very important! The less you use your computer after ransomware infection, the higher the chance that you will be able to recover encrypted files.
Use shadow copies to restore .2NEW files
First of all, try to recover your files using a free tool called ShadowExplorer. This program will allow you to recover your files from Shadow Volume Copies. These copies are created automatically by the OS when you work with your files. Unfortunately, very often, the virus automatically deletes all these copies and thus prevents the user from recovering exnrypted files. Nevertheless, in some cases, the ransomware cannot delete all copies, and the user gets the opportunity to quickly restore all files. Therefore, our opinion, you should definitely try this method!
Installing the ShadowExplorer is simple. First you will need to download ShadowExplorer on your Microsoft Windows Desktop from the following link.
438809 downloads
Author: ShadowExplorer.com
Category: Security tools
Update: September 15, 2019
Once the downloading process 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 such as the one below.
Run the ShadowExplorer tool and then select the disk (1) and the date (2) that you want to recover the shadow copy of file(s) encrypted by the 2NEW crypto virus such as the one below.
Now navigate to the file or folder that you wish to recover. When ready right-click on it and click ‘Export’ button like the one below.
Restore .2NEW files with PhotoRec
Another really working way to recover your encrypted files is to use a program named PhotoRec. It is created to recover deleted or lost files. Does the virus block this method? Fortunately, the 2NEW virus cannot block it in any way. Why is this possible you ask. This is possible for the reason that when you delete files using the standard OS function, these files are not actually deleted. Just the Windows marks them as deleted and does not show them in the list of files. The program that we suggest you use, finds deleted files, including files that were deleted by the ransomware, and recovers them.
Download PhotoRec on your system from the link below.
Once the downloading process is complete, 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 as shown on the image below.
Double click on qphotorec_win to run PhotoRec for Microsoft Windows. It’ll show a screen as shown on the image below.
Select a drive to recover similar to the one below.
You will see a list of available partitions. Choose a partition that holds encrypted documents, photos and music as displayed in the following example.
Click File Formats button and specify file types to restore. 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 recovered photos, documents and music should be written, then click Search.
Count of recovered files is updated in real time. All recovered documents, photos and music are written in a folder that you have selected on the previous step. You can to access the files even if the restore process is not finished.
When the restore is complete, click on Quit button. Next, open the directory where recovered personal files are stored. You will see a contents as on the image below.
All restored personal 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 protect your computer from 2NEW crypto virus
Most antivirus software already have built-in protection system against the crypto virus. Therefore, if your computer does not have an antivirus program, make sure you install it. As an extra protection, use the HitmanPro.Alert. HitmanPro.Alert is a small security tool. It can check the system integrity and alerts you when critical system functions are affected by malware. HitmanPro.Alert can detect, remove, and reverse ransomware effects.
First, visit the following page, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of HitmanPro.Alert.
When the downloading process is done, open the folder in which you saved it. You will see an icon like below.
Double click the HitmanPro.Alert desktop icon. When the utility is launched, you’ll be shown a window where you can choose 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 2NEW ransomware virus. We tried to give answers to the following questions: how to remove ransomware; how to recover .2NEW files. 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 2NEW related issues, go to here.