What is HELP ransomware
If you notice that the name of your important files that you use most often has changed in the extension to .OwL, then your important files have been encrypted using the strongest encryption and a unique key generated for your computer. The decryption key is stored on the secret Internet server of developers of the HELP virus, and no one can decrypt the files until you pay. All this information is usually displayed in a note on the desktop.
To instill confidence in you, the scammers offer victims to send up to 3 files of no more than 2 MB in size for free decryption. Scammers also claim that payment must be made within 72 hours, otherwise all files will be deleted. You can not trust scammers so as not to waste money. Therefore, first you need to get rid of HELP ransomware.
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 HELP 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
HELP Removal Guide
Remember that you need to remove HELP 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 HELP Removal Tool.
- Remove HELP from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
- Restore HELP files
- How to protect PC from future infections.
How to remove HELP 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 HELP Removal Guide
Here are step-by-step instructions to remove HELP from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to HELP. First of all, you need to run the system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.
Uninstall HELP 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:
HELP.dll
_readme.txt
readme.txt
Windows 7/Vista:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to HELP 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 HELP 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 HELP 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 HELP 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 HELP 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.