What is Gold Ransomware
Gold Ransomware is one of the last members of a large family of crypto viruses known as Dharma. As in previous versions, Gold Ransomware penetrates the victim’s computer unnoticed through unprotected network settings, for example, as an attachment to a spam mailing list. Almost immediately after infiltration, Gold Ransomware encrypts user data using a sophisticated algorithm. Moreover, it affects the most important types of files, such as photos, videos, archives, and more. Needless to say, most users are simply not ready to part with this data.
In the last days of August, the first reports of the activity of this cryptovirus began to appear. In just a few days, Gold Ransomware spread all over the world, although cybercriminals originally developed it for English-speaking users. Among other things, Gold Ransomware changes the extension of these files to .gold and creates a popup with information about encryption and ransom options. This is how it looks:
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED
Don’t worry,you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, follow this link:email cavefat@tuta.io YOUR ID *****
If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:ripntfs@protonmail.com
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
Cybercriminals are demanding a ransom of several hundred dollars for the decryption key. Moreover, this money must be paid on a special account on the darknet in the form of cryptocurrency. Thus, scammers hide their activities from law enforcement officers. We do not recommend paying as you can waste your money for nothing. Below you can find our guides on how to remove Gold Ransomware and decrypt .gold files.
Well, there are 2 options for solving this problem. The first is to use an automatic removal utility that will remove the threat and all instances related to it. Moreover, it will save you time. Or you can use the Manual Removal Guide, but you should know that it might be very difficult to remove Gold ransomware manually without a specialist’s help.
If for any reason you need to recover deleted or lost files, then check out our article Top 5 Deleted File Recovery Software
Gold Removal Guide
Remember that you need to remove Gold Ransomware first and foremost to prevent further encryption of your files before the state of your data becomes totally useless. And only after that, you can start recovering your files. Removal must be performed according to the following steps:
- Download Gold Removal Tool.
- Remove Gold from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
- Restore .Gold files
- How to protect PC from future infections.
How to remove Gold ransomware automatically:
Norton is a powerful antivirus that protects you against malware, spyware, ransomware and other types of Internet threats. Norton is available for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices. We recommend you to try it.
If you’re Mac user – use this.
Manual Gold ransomware Removal Guide
Here are step-by-step instructions to remove Gold from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to Gold. First of all, you need to run the system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.
Uninstall Gold from Windows or Mac
Here you may find the list of confirmed related to the ransomware files and registry keys. You should delete them in order to remove virus, however it would be easier to do it with our automatic removal tool. The list:
no information
Windows 7/Vista:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to Gold by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
Windows 8/8.1:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to Gold by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
Windows 10:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to Gold by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
Windows XP:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to Gold by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
Mac OS:
- Restart the computer;
- Press and Hold Shift button, before system will be loaded;
- Release Shift button, when Apple Goldo appears;
- Find programs or files potentially related to Gold by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
How to restore encrypted files
You can try to restore your files with special tools. You may find more detailed info on data recovery software in this article – recovery software. These programs may help you to restore files that were infected and encrypted by ransomware.
Restore data with Stellar Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery is able to find and restore different types of encrypted files, including removed emails.
- Download and install Stellar Data Recovery
- Choose drives and folders with your data, then press Scan.
- Select all the files in a folder, then click on Restore button.
- Manage export location. That’s it!
Restore encrypted files using Recuva
There is an alternative program, that may help you to recover files – Recuva.
- Run the Recuva;
- Follow instructions and wait until scan process ends;
- Find needed files, Gold them and Press Recover button;
How to prevent ransomware infection?
It is always rewarding to prevent ransomware infection because of the consequences it may bring. There are a lot of difficulties in resolving issues with encoders viruses, that’s why it is very vital to keep a proper and reliable anti-ransomware software on your computer. In case you don’t have any, here you may find some of the best offers in order to protect your PC from disastrous viruses.
Malwarebytes
SpyHunter is a reliable antimalware removal tool application, that is able to protect your PC and prevent the infection from the start. The program is designed to be user-friendly and multi-functional.