RANSOMWARE REMOVAL| - HOW TO KILL VIRUS

Ransomware viruses mean your data or the operating system itself is encrypted or the data or operating system is blocked by cybercriminals. Usually these criminals demand a ransom in exchange for decrypting the data. Ransomware can reach your device in more than one way, and the most popular methods are infection from malicious sites, malicious add-ons, downloads, or spam messages. The goals of ransomware attacks include both individuals and companies, but fortunately several measures can be followed to protect against ransomware attacks while remaining vigilant as well as installing the appropriate antivirus software. All of these are important to keep you safe and secure. Ransomware attacks when they do mean either losing data, spending a lot of money, or both.

Discover ransomware

How do you know if there is ransomware on your computer? Here are some ways to spot a ransomware attack:

Antivirus scan issues an alarm. If you have antivirus software installed on your machine, it can easily detect ransomware unless the ransomware is very powerful and able to bypass it.

Check the file extension. For example, the natural extension of an image could be ".jpg". And if you change this extension to an unfamiliar set of characters, it could be a ransomware attack.

Name change. Are the file names different from the names you gave them? The malware often changes file names when it encrypts data, and this could be a sign of infection.

Excessive CPU and hard drive activity. A high hard drive or main processor activity could be an indication that ransomware is running in the background.

Questionable connections on the network. The software interaction with cyber criminals or the attacker's server could cause strange activity on the network that you do not know where it came from.

Encrypted files exist. A late sign of ransomware activity is that you are no longer able to open the files.

Finally, a window popping up with a ransom claim confirms that your device has been infected with ransomware. The earlier the threat is detected, the easier it will be to get rid of the virus. Early detection of cryptographic Trojans infections can help determine which type of ransomware has infected your device. Many extortionate cryptographic Trojans delete themselves once encryption is applied so that they cannot be scanned and detected.

Now that ransomware has already occurred, what are your options?

Ransomware generally falls into two types: ransomware for devices and ransomware for files. Ransomware for the device shuts down the entire screen and prevents you from doing anything, while ransomware for files closes each file separately. Regardless of the type of cryptographic Trojan horse, you usually have three options:

You can pay the ransom as long as the cybercriminals keep their promise and encrypt the data for you.

You can try to remove the malware using the available tools.

You can reset your computer to factory settings.

Removing Cryptographic Trojans and Decrypting Data: How to Do It

The type of ransomware program and the stage in which it is discovered have a great impact on the way you fight the virus, and removing the source of the malware and recovering files is not possible with all types of ransomware. Here are three ways you can fight infection.

Ransomware detection: The earlier the better

If the ransomware program was discovered before a ransom demand was requested, here you have an advantage because the virus is detected before it causes anything harmful. The data that has become encrypted at this moment will remain encrypted, but you can stop the ransomware. Early detection means that malware can be prevented from spreading to other devices and files.

If you have created a backup of your data on an external device or cloud storage service, you will be able to recover that encrypted data easily. Here we recommend that you contact your Internet security solution provider. There may already be a decryption utility for ransomware that has infected your device. You can also visit the official website of the No More Ransom project. The initiative, entitled "No Ransomware," is ubiquitous and aims to help all ransomware victims.

File encryption ransomware removal instructions

If you have fallen victim to a file encryption ransomware attack, you can follow these steps to remove the encryption Trojan horse.

The first step: disconnect the internet connection

The first thing you need to do is cut off all communications, whether virtual or physical. These connections include wireless and wired devices, external hard drives, any storage media device, and cloud accounts; Doing so can prevent ransomware from spreading among your network devices. If you think other parts may be infected, apply the following backup steps for those areas as well.

Second Step: Conduct an investigation using the internet security application you are using

Scan for viruses with your installed Internet security application. This will help you identify threats. And if dangerous files are detected, you can either delete or freeze them. You can also delete harmful files manually or automatically using an anti-virus application, but manual deletion of malware is only recommended for expert computer users.

Step 3: Use a ransomware decryption tool

If your device has been infected with ransomware that encrypts your data, you will need a suitable decryption tool to regain access to your files. We at Kaspersky are keen to constantly investigate the latest types of ransomware so that we can provide the appropriate decryption tools to counter these attacks.

Fourth step: restore your backup copy

If you have created a backup of your data on an external device or cloud service, create a backup of your data that the ransomware has not yet encrypted. If you don't have any backups, cleaning your device and regaining access to it can be much more difficult. To avoid this situation from happening in the first place, we recommend that you create backup copies of your important data regularly. And if you forget about these things frequently, use cloud backup services or put appointments and alarms on your phone to remind you.

How to remove screen lock ransomware?

In the event of a ransomware infection that shuts down the entire device, the first challenge the victim faces is accessing the security app. By starting the computer in Safe Mode, there is a possibility that the screen lock procedure will not start and thus the victim can use his antivirus program to try to remove the malware.

Paying the ransom: yes or no?

Paying the ransom is not generally popular. As with the policy of non-negotiation in hostage situations whose lives are at risk, a similar methodology must be followed here when data is a hostage and you are at risk of losing it. Paying the ransom is not recommended because there is no guarantee that criminals will fulfil their pledge and decrypt the data after it, and the payment will further encourage this type of crime, which should be avoided and stopped no matter what the cost.

If you intend to pay the required ransom anyway, you should not remove the ransomware from your device. Sometimes the type of ransomware used may be the only way to apply a decryption code if you plan to pay the ransom, and this depends on the type of ransomware you are using. Your device is infected. And if you remove the ransomware from your device anyway before receiving the decryption code that you bought at a high price, then your money will be wasted! But if you did receive a decryption code and it worked for you, then you should remove the ransomware from your device as soon as possible after decrypting the data and files.

Types of ransomware: What are the differences affecting the way it works?

There are many types of ransomware, some of which can be uninstalled with a few simple steps. On the contrary, there are many different types of viruses that circulate that are much more complex and take a lot of time to clear.

There are many options for removing ransomware and decrypting encrypted files, and the method used depends on the ransomware program that infected you, and there is no universal decryption tool that can decrypt the various types of ransomware.