Remove Sphinx Virus (+Decrypt .sphinx files)

Sphinx – General Info

The Sphinx mean a ransomware-type infection. Sphinx was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are unable to use them. Sphinx adds the “.sphinx” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by Sphinx, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.sphinx“. As quickly as the encryption is completed, Sphinx places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by Sphinx text file requesting for the ransom is definitely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives. It actually mentions that the information is encrypted and that the only way to restore it is to use a an unique decryption key. Unfortunately, this is absolutely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism used by Sphinx is still not correctly examined. Still, it is absolutely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is totally distinct. It is impossible to bring back the files without the key available.

Another trick of Sphinx is that the victims cannot access to the key. The key is stored on a specific server run by the frauds connected with Sphinx ransomware. To get the key and recover the important info people have to pay the ransom.

Nevertheless, regardless of the requested amount, people need to 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 give any positive outcome and people simply waste their money for nothing.

We strongly 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 Sphinx ransomware and to recover the information data totally free. Therefore, the only right decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	Sphinx Ransomware
File Extension	.sphinx
Type	Ransomware
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 sphinx extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Remember that the internet is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to Sphinx ransomware. Destructive programs of such kind are usually elaborated to encrypt essential 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 create the unique decryption key for information decryption.

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

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

How did ransomware infect my PC?

There are a number of ways used by online scams to distribute Sphinx virus. Although it doubts how exactly Sphinx injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

• integration with third-party apps, especially freeware;
• spam e-mails from unidentified senders;
• sites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Frequently Sphinx ransomware might exist as some legitimate software, for instance, in the pop-ups instructing users to carry out some crucial software application updates. This is the typical trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing Sphinx infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.

Additionally, the criminals might describe various email spam methods to inject malicious codes into copmuter. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some receipts, documents, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update informs may result in Sphinx virus injection. As for the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise consist of harmful codes leading to Sphinx secret installation. Lastly, injection of Sphinx may take place by ways of Trojans that covertly get injected into the system and set up harmful utilities without the user’s permission.

Is there any way to avoid the injection of Sphinx ransom virus?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your computer from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we want to share with with you. First of all, be very cautious when you surf the web and specifically while downloading free programs. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Keep in mind that some freeware installers may include other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be destructive. Ensure that your current antivirus software and your entire OS is always duly updated.

Of course, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may lead to necessary damage to be produced your PC. For this reason, 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 better services of defending your system.

Below please find the quotation from the Sphinx text file:

//  You are become victim of Sphinx ransomware!
[*] What Happened?
  Your network is compromised and all your machines has been encrypted!
  We have exploited your network vulnerabilities and encrypted all of your machines data with,
  powerful hybrid cryptosystem, RSA-4096 and AES-256.
  There is no way to break the encryption except with your network private key and special decryption software!
  The only way to recover your data is buy them through our page on Hidden Network.
[*] How to Access Hidden Network?
  1. Download Tor Browser - hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/
  2. Start it and wait for the load.
  3. Visit link below with Tor Browser:
     hxxp://decrypt5bub45vpr.onion/7f6243f6ce9604fb762933bb4e72548e
  4. Follow the instructions on our page.
[*] WARNING!
  YOUR TIME TO PAY IS LIMITED TO 96 HOUR. 
  DON\'T WASTE YOUR TIME TO SEARCH ON INTERNET, BEFORE OUR SERVICE REMOVE YOUR NETWORK PRIVATE KEY.
  ***
  IF YOU DO NOT THINK ABOUT TO PAYMENT!
  WE SELL YOU\'R COMPANY\'S PRIVATE DATA ON DARK MARKETS!
  YOU CAN ASK US FOR PROOF ANY TIME!

Screenshot of files with “.sphinx” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Sphinx 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.