Remove HOTEL Virus (.[ICQ_RIXOSHORSE].HOTEL Files Ransomware) – Phobos Ransomware

HOTEL Virus – Details

The HOTEL mean a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the Phobos ransomware family. HOTEL was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. HOTEL adds the “.[ICQ_RIXOSHORSE].HOTEL” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, when encrypted by HOTEL, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.[ICQ_RIXOSHORSE].HOTEL“. As soon as the encryption is completed, HOTEL places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by HOTEL text file requesting for the ransom is definitely the like the statements given by other ransomware representatives coming from the Phobos type. It actually points out that the info is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a a special decryption key. Regretfully, this is absolutely true. The type of cryptography mechanism applied by HOTEL is still not properly examined. Still, it is definitely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is totally unique. It is difficult to restore the files without the key available.

Another trick of HOTEL is that the victims cannot get to the key. The key is kept on a particular server run by the frauds related to HOTEL ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.

Nonetheless, irrespective of the asked for quantity, people should keep away from paying the virus. Cyber frauds are unfair, so they tend to completely ignore what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not provide any positive outcome and people simply lose their money for absolutely nothing.

We highly recommend that you do not contact these crooks and definitely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack HOTEL ransomware and to recover the information data for free. Thus, the only best decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	HOTEL Ransomware
File Extension	.[ICQ_RIXOSHORSE].HOTEL
Type	Ransomware
Family	Phobos
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
Symptoms	File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special [ICQ_RIXOSHORSE].HOTEL extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Similar Infections	Acuff, Eldaosla, Messedup
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Keep in mind that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to HOTEL ransomware. It is similar Acuff and many other ransomware-type threats. Destructive programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt important data and to set forth the demand prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to generate the unique decryption key for information decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, manually recovering the information is simply not feasible. The only method to prevent the loss of your crucial files is to routinely create backups of your important information.

Remember that even if you create such backups, they need to be placed into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the Memory Stick or external disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you save your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted along with other files, so it’s certainly not a good storage location.

How did ransomware infect my system?

There are several methods used by online scams to distribute HOTEL ransomware. Even though it is uncertain how exactly HOTEL injects your system, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

• integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
• spam emails from unknown senders;
• websites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Frequently HOTEL ransomware might be presented as some legitimate software application, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to execute some crucial software updates. This is the typical trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing HOTEL infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.

Additionally, the criminals might refer to numerous e-mail spam techniques to inject destructive codes into systems. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones motivating users to open some photos, documents, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may severely harm the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade alerts may result in HOTEL ransom injection. As for the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise include malicious codes resulting in HOTEL secret installation. Finally, injection of HOTEL may happen by ways of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and install destructive tools without the user’s approval.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of HOTEL ransomware?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your computer from getting infected, there are some pieces of advice we want to share with with you. First off, be really cautious when you browse the web and specifically while downloading complimentary apps. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Bear in mind that some freeware installers may consist of other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be destructive. Make certain that your current antivirus software and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.

Of course, downloading pirated software is illegal and may lead to essential damage to be produced your system. Thus, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and potentially change to another security solution that can render far better services of protecting your system.

Below please find the quotation from the HOTEL text file:

info.hta:

ATTENTION!!!!
Unfortunately for you, a major IT security weakness left you open to attack, your files have been encrypted with ciphers more advanced than those used for diplomatic communications, you can spend days and months searching for a magical way to decrypt your files, but rest assured we are the only people who can help you recover your files, there is no free tool
If you want to restore them, install ICQ software on your PC hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your mobile phone search in Appstore / Google market \"ICQ\"
Write to our ICQ @RIXOSHORSE hxxps://icq.im/RIXOSHORSE
Write this ID in the title of your message -
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
===================

info.txt: 

If you are the IT manager and you are reading this, that means that you messed up, you were asleep at the wheel. Contact us and we can resolve this situation without major complication, if you are the owner of the company and you are reading this than the decision is yours, throw your hard drives in the trash or contact us and pay a nominal fee to recover your data, but know that your security practices have failed you and either way something needs to be done
If you want to restore them, install ICQ software on your PC hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your mobile phone search in Appstore / Google market \"ICQ\"
Write to our ICQ @RIXOSHORSE hxxps://icq.im/RIXOSHORSE
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Screenshot of files with “.[ICQ_RIXOSHORSE].HOTEL” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove HOTEL ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.