Our text today is all about [email protected] – a representative of the Ransomware category. Perhaps, you have already heard this term before. It describes the malware type capable of encrypting your files or making your screen unavailable to you; and then harassing you into paying a ransom in return for decoding the data or unblocking the affected desktops. All the characteristics of [email protected] particularly and Ransomware as a whole are discussed in detail in the following text. Take your time and read it thoroughly, as you are currently dealing with the most dangerous cyber threat ever developed.
Ransomware specifics:
The way such viruses function is pretty much one and the same every time, whatever kind of Ransomware you are facing. What happens is that a ransom is likely to be requested for undoing whatever wrong this virus has done to your device. In the event that you are facing contamination caused by the file-encrypting kind of Ransomware, the family [email protected] is a member of, some of your data will be sealed and a ransom will be demanded in exchange for setting the affected data free. More precisely, these viruses can make your most valuable files completely inaccessible to you and you will get informed that the only way to access the victim files again is to send money to the people blackmailing you. As soon as [email protected] infects your PC, it tends to create an elaborate list with all the to-be-encoded files by checking your drives. Following that, all of that data on the list is encrypted by the virus, file by file. We need to say that this is perhaps the most horrible version of Ransomware, since you are likely to lose your access to some really important files stored on your device.
The contamination bothering you might be rendered by a monitor-sealing Ransomware. In this case, either the desktop of your PC, or the displays of your mobile devices are going to be locked up. No files become victims of this malware, but it will still be impossible for you to access any folder, icon or shortcut. And just like in the other versions of Ransomware, the cyber criminals will inform you with the help of a notification that you should pay ransom in order to decode your screens. This type of contamination is not as harmful as the data-encrypting one. Nonetheless, it might be equally difficult to fight.
And in certain rare cases, Ransomware-like viruses may be used to make hackers and cyber criminals face justice. Only in these extreme ways can they be forced to pay fines for violating laws and regulations. Now that we have mentioned the consequences of a Ransomware virus, we are also going to point out the standard ways of coming across such horrible viruses.
[email protected] Ransomware Virus Removal
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).
WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!
Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC at the same time and go to the Processes Tab. Try to determine which processes are dangerous.
Right click on each of them and select Open File Location. Then scan the files with our free online virus scanner:
After you open their folder, end the processes that are infected, then delete their folders.
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.
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:
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:
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.
Type Regedit in the windows search field and press Enter. Once 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:
- %AppData%
- %LocalAppData%
- %ProgramData%
- %WinDir%
- %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!
How to Decrypt [email protected] 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!
This awful virus can be caught mainly in the following ways, but not only:
The most common sources of viruses such as [email protected] are:
- Spam emails and their corresponding attachments: Ransomware tends to often come from spam. In such a case, these viruses sometimes come along with Trojan horse viruses. The Trojans aid the Ransomware by benefiting from any system/program vulnerabilities and letting the latter inside the infected PC. The attachments of the emails might also include this kind of malware – even the images and documents. Following that, the scenario is usually the same: some encryption happens and you get threatened to pay for the unblocking of your screen or your files.
- Malicious ads, update requests and pop-ups: This malware could automatically come from a contaminated ad, update request or pop-up of any kind that might be generated on your monitor. In the event that you click on such a thing, even if that happens accidentally, your device may catch the malware they may include.
Is there a correct choice – to pay or not to pay when it comes to [email protected]?
To be honest, you need to decide and each choice is going to be equally risky, whatever you decide to do. If you complete the required payment, your data may never be accessible to you. Such malware is awfully hard to remove from your device and even some professionals might find it quite complex to deal with. Our sincere opinion is that you must restrain from paying off the hackers and might try the Removal Guide first. We cannot guarantee the safe decryption of your data, but you can at least try.
SUMMARY:
| Name | [email protected] |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Danger Level | High (Ransomware is by far the worst threat you can encounter) |
| Symptoms | Very few and unnoticeable ones before the ransom notification comes up. |
| Distribution Method | From fake ads and fake system requests to spam emails and contagious web pages. |
| Data Recovery Tool | [banner_table_recovery] |
| Detection Tool | Some threats reinstall themselves if you don't delete their core files. We recommend downloading SpyHunter to remove harmful programs for you. This may save you hours and ensure you don't harm your system by deleting the wrong files. |
OFFER
Hi. I’m a victim of this exact situation which has affected both my work premises and family home.
I’d like to have a conversation about this and how I move forward as I’m constantly still under attack.
Hi Aristos,
you can follow the guide in order to remove the ransomware and check this page to find a way to decrypt your files