Fargo 3 Ransomware

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*Source of claim SH can remove it.

Fargo 3

Fargo 3 belongs to the most dangerous and devastating virus categories in existence – ransomware. Fargo 3 is among the latest ransomware variants to be unleashed on users and it falls into the file-encrypting subcategory.

Fargo 3 Ransomware 1024x609
The Fargo 3 ransomware will leave a FILE RECOVERY.txt file with instructions

What this means is that once it has been introduced to your system, it will first scan it for specific files types and then it will encrypt all the files it finds. Typically, this will be the most commonly used file types such as documents, pictures, audios and videos, databases, etc. And by encrypting them, it will basically render these files unreadable to any type of existing software. Hence, no one will be able to open or use these bits of data.

Then, the criminals behind the virus will blackmail their victims and promise that in exchange for a certain sum of money, they will restore their files to their initial state. Usually this involves sending the victims a decryption key, which is necessary to undo the encryption. However, this isn’t the only way to recover from the terrible effects of Fargo 3. Below we have included a detailed removal guide that will help you remove this ransomware, which we strongly recommend you do anyway. And in the second part of the guide we have included alternative methods that may help you recover your files.

The Fargo3 virus

The Fargo3 virus is a particularly harmful piece of malware, because as a result of its activities users can permanently lose valuable data. The Fargo3 virus uses a complex encryption algorithm that poses a challenge even for experts in the field.

Fargo3 Virus 1024x611
The Fargo3 virus will encrypt your files

And believe it or not, even making the ransom payment won’t guarantee that you will indeed be able to use your encrypted data again. The thing is that, for one, you are dealing with criminals after all. And whether they choose to actually send you the needed decryption key or not after you’ve paid is entirely up to them. And secondly, even if they do send it, there’s no telling that it will actually successfully be able to reverse the encryption. Sometimes, victims are left completely emptyhanded after opting for the ransom payment.

This is why, again, we highly recommend trying other alternatives first. You can try to extract copies of your files from system backups after you have removed Fargo 3, for instance. And if you have existing copies stored on a separate drive or a cloud service, then by all means use those – again after the removal of the virus.

The Fargo3 file extension

The Fargo3 file extension is how you will be able to recognize which files have been encrypted by the ransomware. Namely, the Fargo3 files extension is the suffix you see at the end of the file and what ensures that no software can open it.

As part of the other alternative file-recovery options that we can suggest to you, there are decryptor tools that typically emerge after large ransomware attacks. These are usually developed for free and may be a feasible option in your case.

SUMMARY:

NameFargo 3
TypeRansomware
Danger LevelHigh (Ransomware is by far the worst threat you can encounter)
Data Recovery ToolNot Available
Detection Tool

*Source of claim SH can remove it.

Remove Fargo 3 Ransomware


Step1

Some of the steps will likely require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.

Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).

Step2

WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!

*Source of claim SH can remove it.

Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC at the same time and go to the Processes Tab. Try to determine which processes are dangerous. 

malware-start-taskbar

Right click on each of them and select Open File Location. Then scan the files with our free online virus scanner:

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    After you open their folder, end the processes that are infected, then delete their folders. 

    Note: If you are sure something is part of the infection – delete it, even if the scanner doesn’t flag it. No anti-virus program can detect all infections.

    Step3

     

    Hold the Start Key and R –  copy + paste the following and click OK:

    notepad %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/hosts

    A new file will open. If you are hacked, there will be a bunch of other IPs connected to you at the bottom. Look at the image below:

    hosts_opt (1)

     

    If there are suspicious IPs below “Localhost” – write to us in the comments.

    Type msconfig in the search field and hit enter. A window will pop-up:

    msconfig_opt

     

    Go in Startup —> Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer.

    • Please note that ransomware may even include a fake Manufacturer name to its process. Make sure you check out every process here is legitimate.
    Step4

     

    Type Regedit in the windows search field and press EnterOnce inside, press CTRL and F together and type the virus’s Name. 

    Search for the ransomware  in your registries and delete the entries. Be extremely careful –  you can damage your system if you delete entries not related to the ransomware.

    Type each of the following in the Windows Search Field:

    1. %AppData%
    2. %LocalAppData%
    3. %ProgramData%
    4. %WinDir%
    5. %Temp%

    Delete everything in Temp. The rest just check out for anything recently added. Remember to leave us a comment if you run into any trouble!

    Step5

     

    How to Decrypt Fargo 3 files

    We have a comprehensive (and daily updated) guide on how to decrypt your files. Check it out here.

    If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!


    About the author

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    Violet George

    Violet is an active writer with a passion for all things cyber security. She enjoys helping victims of computer virus infections remove them and successfully deal with the aftermath of the attacks. But most importantly, Violet makes it her priority to spend time educating people on privacy issues and maintaining the safety of their computers. It is her firm belief that by spreading this information, she can empower web users to effectively protect their personal data and their devices from hackers and cybercriminals.

    2 Comments

    • i’m mahmoud from iran . I am a teacher who has not been able to get an antivirus for my computer due to economic sanctions.
      Unfortunately, my computer has been attacked by ransomware And the person in question has requested a cryptocurrency .
      We live in a country that is governed by a dictatorship and we cannot provide any software And we are not connected to anywhere in the world and we cannot fulfill this hacker’s request.
      All my computer files containing my teaching files for children are encrypted And at the end of each file name is the word FARGO3 .
      I want you to help me to find a way to return these files.
      I know that there may be softwares that can neutralize this encryption, but I cannot download these softwares in Iran.
      If there is a way, please let me know or I will email all these files to you via zip file and recover it and return it to me.
      With this favor, you can help a teacher and a large number of students .

      Thanks and best regards
      Mahmoud

      • Hi mahmoud,
        I am really sorry to hear that. Did you go through the removal guide on this page? It will help you remove the ransomware, but to decrypt your files, you have to download decryption software to help you return your files.

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