What is Sick ransomware
Sick is a typical ransomware capable of secretly infiltrating any device and encrypting important files found on the device. Usually, these are photos, videos, work documents, archives and other files that users use most often. Encrypted files can be distinguished by the .sick extension at the end of the file name.
To provide victims with contact and billing information such as email address, the cost of the decryption tool, Sick ransomware creates a note from the virus developers in the HELP.txt file. A note is displayed on the screen after trying to open a file or open a folder where encrypted files are located:
For further instructions visit: hxxps://ghostbin.com/paste/yuLbZ
Attention!
Open the Textfile HELP.txt located on your Desktop!
[OK]
YOUR SYSTEM IS NOT SAFE
In some seconds the process of enrcrypting all your data with one of the highest grade encryption standards due to a hole in your network security is finishedTHE GOOD NEWS
Your data can be fully restored by using a PRIVATE KEY which is stored on our secure server.THE BAD NEWS
After 24 hours this key gets automatically deleted and your data is lost.
The only reason why we implemented the automatic destroying of the private key is to increase the pressure on our victims to pay on time.
If your data is useless to you we apologize for the time the re-setup will take.
In both cases you will never get attacked by our group again. We are criminals but with sense of decency
We are neither interested in your data nor in you as a person.
Our only Goal is MONEY!HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES
Transfer USD 100.- in Bitcoin currency to the following address:bc1qx7880kzmcy8xuercsaxx002jvk8m0dp2f8233j
+As Transaction -subject /-description /-note fill in your E-mail address where you want the private key to be sent to.Good Buy!
As stated on the website from this note, files can be recovered using a key stored on a remote server controlled by developers of the virus. Victims need to buy this key within 24 hours, because after 24 hours it will be removed from the server. In order to acquire the decryption key, victims must transfer $100 in Bitcoin to the specified address in the note. Can you trust developers? Previous experiences of victims show that this is not allowed, because it is a deceptive maneuver for victims to obtain illegal money.
Get rid of Sick ransomware to prevent further infection.
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 Sick 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
Sick Removal Guide
Remember that you need to remove Sick 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 Sick Removal Tool.
- Remove Sick from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
- Restore Sick files
- How to protect PC from future infections.
How to remove PCQQ 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 PCQQ Removal Guide
Here are step-by-step instructions to remove PCQQ from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to PCQQ . First of all, you need to run the system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.
Uninstall PCQQ 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:
PCQQ .dll
_readme.txt
readme.txt
Windows 7/Vista:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to PCQQ 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 PCQQ 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 PCQQ 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 PCQQ 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 PCQQ 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.
