Jeffery Ransomware

Jeffery ransomware is a newly identified cyber threat discovered by researchers monitoring recent VirusTotal submissions. As a member of the ransomware family, Jeffery is designed to encrypt users’ files and demand a ransom for their decryption. Like many crypto viruses, this malware transforms personal and professional data into inaccessible junk, placing the victim in a helpless position unless a backup is available or a decryption tool exists—which, in this case, does not.

Upon successful infiltration, Jeffery ransomware alters the system in several noticeable ways. Files are encrypted and receive the “.Jeffery” extension, making them unusable. For instance, “1.jpg” becomes “1.jpg.Jeffery” and “2.png” changes to “2.png.Jeffery.” It also modifies the desktop wallpaper and creates a ransom note file titled “JEFFERY_README.txt”, which contains a very brief yet ominous message.

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Text presented on the wallpaper and in the ransom note

Jeffery
To get your data back contact JefferyData@dnmx.su
Thank you.

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Victims are instructed to contact the attackers via JefferyData@dnmx.su to receive payment instructions and, presumably, the decryption key. However, cybersecurity experts warn that paying the ransom is extremely risky. Criminals frequently take the money and vanish without providing any working decryption solution.

Unfortunately, files encrypted by Jeffery cannot be decrypted by any known public decryptor, making restoring data from backups the only viable solution for recovery. It’s also worth noting that removing Jeffery ransomware from the system will not restore the locked files—it merely stops further damage.

Jeffery uses standard infection vectors to spread—such as malicious email attachments, torrent downloads, fake software updates, and malvertising. It may also arrive as part of a bundled package with other threats like password stealers or backdoor trojans.

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Jeffery Ransomware Summary

Attribute	Details
Threat Name	Jeffery Ransomware
Threat Type	Ransomware, Crypto Virus, Files Locker
Encrypted File Extension	.Jeffery
Ransom Note File Name	JEFFERY_README.txt
Ransom Note Message	“Jeffery. To get your data back contact JefferyData@dnmx.su. Thank you.”
Associated Email	JefferyData@dnmx.su
Detection Names	Avast (MalwareX-gen [Ransom]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Heur.Ransom.HiddenTears.1), ESET (MSIL/Filecoder.AK), Kaspersky (Trojan-Ransom.MSIL.Agent.gen), Microsoft (Ransom:MSIL/Ryzerlo.A)
Symptoms	Files renamed with “.Jeffery” extension, inaccessible data, ransom note, modified wallpaper
Damage	Permanent loss of files if no backup; potential additional malware payloads
Distribution Methods	Malicious email attachments, torrent sites, fake updates, malvertising
Danger Level	High – Strong encryption, no free decryptor available, risk of data loss

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Manual Ransomware Removal Guide

Warning: Manual removal is complex and risky. If not done correctly, it can lead to data loss or incomplete removal of ransomware. Only follow this method if you are an advanced user. If unsure, proceed with Method 2 (SpyHunter Removal Guide).

Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet

1. Unplug your Ethernet cable or disconnect Wi-Fi immediately to prevent further communication with the ransomware’s command and control (C2) servers.

Step 2: Boot into Safe Mode

For Windows Users:

1. For Windows 10, 11:
   • Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
   • Go to the Boot tab.
   • Check Safe boot and select Network.
   • Click Apply and OK, then restart your PC.
2. For Windows 7, 8:
   • Restart your PC and press F8 repeatedly before Windows loads.
   • Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.

For Mac Users:

1. Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
2. Release the key once you see the Apple logo.
3. Your Mac will start in Safe Mode.

Step 3: Locate and Terminate Malicious Processes

For Windows Users:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Look for suspicious processes (e.g., unknown names, high CPU usage, or random letters).
3. Right-click on the process and select End Task.

For Mac Users:

1. Open Activity Monitor (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor).
2. Look for unusual processes.
3. Select the process and click Force Quit.

Step 4: Delete Malicious Files

For Windows Users:

1. Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and hit Enter.
2. Delete all files in the Temp folder.
3. Navigate to:
   • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming
   • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local
   • C:\Windows\System32
4. Look for suspicious files related to the ransomware (random file names, recently modified) and delete them.

For Mac Users:

1. Open Finder and go to Go > Go to Folder.
2. Type ~/Library/Application Support and delete suspicious folders.
3. Navigate to ~/Library/LaunchAgents and remove unknown .plist files.

Step 5: Remove Ransomware from Registry or System Settings

For Windows Users:

Warning: Incorrect changes in the Registry Editor can damage your system. Proceed with caution.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
3. Look for unfamiliar folders with random characters or ransomware-related names.
4. Right-click and select Delete.

For Mac Users:

1. Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups.
2. Click on Login Items and remove any suspicious startup items.
3. Navigate to ~/Library/Preferences and remove malicious .plist files.

Step 6: Restore System Using System Restore (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac)

For Windows Users:

1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and hit Enter.
2. Click Next, choose a restore point before the infection, and follow the prompts to restore your system.

For Mac Users:

1. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R to enter macOS Utilities.
2. Select Restore from Time Machine Backup.
3. Choose a backup prior to the ransomware infection and restore your system.

Step 7: Use a Decryption Tool (If Available)

• Visit No More Ransom (www.nomoreransom.org) and check if a decryption tool is available for your ransomware variant.

Step 8: Recover Files Using Backup

• If you have backups on an external drive or cloud storage, restore your files.

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Automatic Ransomware Removal Using SpyHunter

If manual removal seems too risky or complicated, using a reliable anti-malware tool like SpyHunter is the best alternative.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Download SpyHunter from the official link: Download SpyHunter

Or follow the official installation instructions here:
SpyHunter Download Instructions

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
2. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the program.
3. Once installed, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Click on Start Scan Now.
2. SpyHunter will scan for ransomware and other malware.
3. Wait for the scan to complete.

Step 4: Remove Detected Threats

1. After the scan, SpyHunter will list all detected threats.
2. Click Fix Threats to remove the ransomware.

Step 5: Use SpyHunter’s Malware HelpDesk (If Needed)

If you are dealing with a stubborn ransomware variant, SpyHunter’s Malware HelpDesk provides custom fixes to remove advanced threats.

Step 6: Restore Your Files

If your files are encrypted:

• Try No More Ransom (www.nomoreransom.org) for decryption tools.
• Restore from cloud storage or external backups.

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Preventing Future Ransomware Attacks

• Keep backups on an external hard drive or cloud storage.
• Use SpyHunter to detect threats before they infect your system.
• Enable Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus program.
• Avoid suspicious emails, attachments, and links.
• Update Windows, macOS & software regularly.

Conclusion

Jeffery belongs to a long list of file-encrypting ransomware threats like VerdaCrypt, HellCat, and XIAOBA 2.0, which function similarly by locking victims’ files and demanding Bitcoin ransoms. While these threats often differ in encryption techniques or ransom demand sizes, their core behavior remains the same—data loss leveraged for extortion.