What is # Ransomware
This article focuses on # Ransomware crypto-virus by Xorist Ransomware family. It comes to the computer and encrypts user data. This virus became most active in mid-September 2020. This can be a photo, video, audio, archive, or document office. Formats may be different. Also, # changes the extension of these files to .#, which makes these files unsuitable for further use. The virus creates the note on Russian ВЕРНУТЬ ИНФОРМАЦИЮ.txt containing information about the ransom (which indicates that the scammers are from Russia or a Russian-speaking country). The following are the images and the content of the note:
Below we have indicated a special note RETURN FILES.txt that is created by a virus to inform the user about possible methods of redemption:
on Russian:
ДЕНЬГИ НА БОЧКУ, ГОСПОДА!
Бонжур мадам, месье !
Вэлком на борт нашей “Чёрной жемчужины”.
Ваш компьютер взят на абордаж командой Сомалийских пиратов.
Ваши файлы зашифрованы нашим морским
криптографом Мбо Вазокрейзом.
Если вы, нежадный мэн и не психованный крендель из ЛДПР,
то, мы готовы обменять вашу драгоценную инфу,
на жалкие бумажки именуемые деньгами.
Поверьте, деньги зло – отдайте их нам.
Алчных и неадекватных типов за борт.
Весёлым и находчивым скидки.
У вас три дня до отплытия корабля.
Для переговоров собираемся в кают компании, sos на мыло.
Номер компании 21610802
GOODLUCKY@CONTRACTOR.NET
on English:
MONEY ON A BARREL, GENTLEMEN!
Bonjour madame, monsieur!
Welcome aboard our Black Pearl.
Your computer is boarded by a team of Somali pirates.
Your files are encrypted by our marine
cryptographer Mbo Vasokraise.
If you, a non-greedy Maine and not a nutty LDPR’s idiot,
then, we are ready to exchange your precious information,
on pitiful pieces of paper called money.
Believe me, money is evil – give it to us.
Greedy and inadequate types overboard.
Happy and resourceful discounts.
You have three days before the ship leaves.
For negotiations, we are going to the company cabin, sos for soap.
Company number 21610802
GOODLUCKY@CONTRACTOR.NET
The note is rather short, but it contains key information. The user needs to pay several hundred dollars in Bitcoins equivalent by contacting the scammers at the specified addresses. Why bitcoins? Cryptocurrency allows fraudsters to avoid harassment by law enforcement. However, we do not recommend you to pay, as there are no guarantees that your files will be decrypted. Use our recommendations to try to remove # Ransomware and decrypt your 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 # 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
# Removal Guide
Remember that you need to remove # 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 # Removal Tool.
- Remove # from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
- Restore .# files
- How to protect PC from future infections.
How to remove # 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 # ransomware Removal Guide
Here are step-by-step instructions to remove # from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to #. First of all, you need to run the system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.
Uninstall # 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 # 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 # 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 # 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 # 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 #o appears;
- Find programs or files potentially related to # 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, select 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.