How to remove SANTA_CRYPT Ransomware and decrypt .$ANTA files

How to remove SANTA_CRYPT Ransomware and decrypt .$ANTA files

What is SANTA_CRYPT Ransomware

SANTA_CRYPT is one of the ransomware viruses encrypting user data, after which it cannot be opened, changed, or restored because SANTA_CRYPT Ransomware removes all system restore points. In addition, SANTA_CRYPT Ransomware changes the extensions of the target files, it adds .$ANTA extension.

remove SANTA_CRYPT ransomware

Developers have created a special text document entitled HOW_TO_RECOVER_MY_FILES.TXT that opens during each attempt to open an encrypted file:

remove SANTA_CRYPT ransomware

!!!SANTA_CRYPT RANSOMWARE!!!
Hello. All your files are encrypted. To decrypt your files – you must pay us.
Amount to pay depends on how fast you will email us.
Our email : mail@mail.ru
Good luck!

From the note, it follows that first of all developers are aimed at English-speaking users. However, recently this virus is found in many users from other countries, regardless of language. The user needs to pay a few hundred dollars to unlock files and get the decryptor, but this is a lie. Do not pay the attackers, because it will not change anything. Use our instructions below to remove SANTA_CRYPT 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 SANTA_CRYPT 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

SANTA_CRYPT Removal Guide

Warning alert
Remember that you need to remove SANTA_CRYPT 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:

  1. Download SANTA_CRYPT Removal Tool.
  2. Remove SANTA_CRYPT from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
  3. Restore .SANTA_CRYPT files
  4. How to protect PC from future infections.

How to remove SANTA_CRYPT ransomware automatically:

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Download Removal Tool

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 SANTA_CRYPT ransomware Removal Guide

Here are step-by-step instructions to remove SANTA_CRYPT from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to SANTA_CRYPT. First of all, you need to run the system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.

Uninstall SANTA_CRYPT 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:

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Windows 7/Vista:

  1. Restart the computer;
  2. Press Settings button;
  3. Choose Safe Mode;
  4. Find programs or files potentially related to SANTA_CRYPT by using Removal Tool;
  5. Delete found files;

Windows 8/8.1:

  1. Restart the computer;
  2. Press Settings button;
  3. Choose Safe Mode;
  4. Find programs or files potentially related to SANTA_CRYPT by using Removal Tool;
  5. Delete found files;

Windows 10:

  1. Restart the computer;
  2. Press Settings button;
  3. Choose Safe Mode;
  4. Find programs or files potentially related to SANTA_CRYPT by using Removal Tool;
  5. Delete found files;

Windows XP:

  1. Restart the computer;
  2. Press Settings button;
  3. Choose Safe Mode;
  4. Find programs or files potentially related to SANTA_CRYPT by using Removal Tool;
  5. Delete found files;

Mac OS:

  1. Restart the computer;
  2. Press and Hold Shift button, before system will be loaded;
  3. Release Shift button, when Apple SANTA_CRYPTo appears;
  4. Find programs or files potentially related to SANTA_CRYPT by using Removal Tool;
  5. 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.

  1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery
  2. Choose drives and folders with your data, then press Scan.
  3. Select all the files in a folder, then click on Restore button.
  4. Manage export location. That’s it!
Download Stellar Data Recovery

 

Restore encrypted files using Recuva

There is an alternative program, that may help you to recover files – Recuva.

  1. Run the Recuva;
  2. Follow instructions and wait until scan process ends;
  3. 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

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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.

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