What is Contact Ransomware
Contact is a ransomware that encrypts user files found on the system. Usually, these are photographs, video, audio, multimedia, archives, office documents, because they are used most often. After encrypting important files, they become unusable. Of course, after users notice the loss of frequently used files, fraudsters have the goal of fraudulently extorting money from victims for decryption. Virus removes shadow copies of files and system restore points to prevent user from recovering files.
Contact creates a file CONTACT-README-WARNING.html , which injects it into folders containing encrypted files. When you open these folders, this note opens:
!!!!!GREETINGS!!!!!
MESSAGE FROM CONTACT RANSOMWARE SERVICE
Little FAQ:
.1.
Q: Whats Happen?
A: ALL Your files (docs,databases,musics,videos,…etc) have been encrypted and now have the “.bannedlands@msgsafe.io.contact” extension. The file structure was not damaged, we did everything possible so that this could not happen.
.2.
Q: How to recover files?
A: If you wish to decrypt your files you will need to pay in bitcoins..3.
! ! Q: What about guarantees?
A: Its just a business. We absolutely do not care about you and your deals, except getting benefits. If we do not do our work and liabilities – nobody will cooperate with us. Its not in our interests.
To check the ability of returning files, you can send to us not more than 2 files with low sizes(max 1 mb), we will decrypt them and send back to you. That is our guarantee.
.4.
Q: How to contact with you?
A: You can write us to our mailbox: bannedlands@msgsafe.io
xtralords@dnmx.org
ferrari@msgsafe.io
Send Your ID to us.PERSONAL ID::
–
5.
Q: How will the decryption process proceed after payment?
A: After payment we will send to you our special decryption program and detailed instructions for use. With this program you will be able to decrypt all your encrypted files safely.
.6.
Q: If I don’t want to pay bad people like you?
A: If you will not cooperate with our service – for us, its does not matter. But you will lose your time and data, cause only we have the private key. In practice – time is much more valuable than money.
:::BEWARE:::
DON’T try to change encrypted files by yourself!
If you will try to use any third party software for restoring your data or antivirus solutions – please make a backup for all encrypted files! Any changes in encrypted files may entail damage of the private key and, as result, the loss all data.
!!!!!!REMEMBER!!!!
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET YOUR FILES BACK WITHOUT OUR SPECIAL DECRYPTION TOOL
Virus claims that in order to decrypt files . [Random_string].bannedlands@msgsafe.io.contact, it is necessary to write to developers on the email, which is given in the note, to find out about the amount of decryption. Usually, the amount reaches several hundred dollars.
There is no guarantee that you will receive the files as they were. Therefore, in order to prevent the actions of scammers, remove Contact.
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 Contact 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
Contact Removal Guide
Remember that you need to remove Contact 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 Contact Removal Tool.
- Remove Contact from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
- Restore Contact files
- How to protect PC from future infections.
How to remove Contact 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 Contact Removal Guide
Here are step-by-step instructions to remove Contact from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to Contact . First of all, you need to run the system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.
Uninstall Contact 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:
Contact .dll
_readme.txt
readme.txt
Windows 7/Vista:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to Contact 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 Contact 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 Contact 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 Contact 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 logo appears;
- Find programs or files potentially related to Contact 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!
Aiseesoft Data Recovery
Aiseesoft Data Recovery recovers deleted files (like photos, documents, emails, audio, video), and also recovers from a computer, hard drive, flash drive, memory card, digital cameras. Recover from accidental deletion, formatted partition, hard drive problem, RAW hard drive, computer crash
We hope this guide was helpful to you. Feel free to leave a comment and tell us what recovery software was (or wasn’t) effective in your case.
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.