EDA2 ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Guide) - Bonus: Decryption Steps
EDA2 virus Removal Guide
What is EDA2 ransomware virus?
New EDA2 ransomware variant wants to receive the ransom as soon as possible
When EDA2 virus hits a computer, expect no good. This ransomware-type computer infection is critical and installing it on the system means losing your personal data permanently. In the ransom note that virus creates and saves on the desktop (DecryptFile.txt), virus’ authors claim to be using RSA-4096 encryption[1] to corrupt data on the target computer, which is extremely strong and undefeatable. Sadly, files encrypted with such cipher can be recovered only by using a special decryption key[2], which cybercriminals suggest buying for 0.15 Bitcoin[3], which is equal to $134. The virus demands to pay up shortly; otherwise the ransom price doubles to $267. In case the victim refuses to pay the bigger price, the virus threatens to destroy the only hope to restore them – the decryption key.
To help the victim understand the extent of encrypted data, the virus marks each encrypted file by adding an extra file extension to it – .L0CKED. Reportedly, other EDA2[4] variants add .ded or .coded file extensions. If you see these file extensions on your files, it means they have been encrypted. Obviously, you might start hesitating whether to pay the ransom or not. There are many reasons why you shouldn’t do so. First of all, paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee that data will be recovered. In many cases, cyber criminals fail to fulfill their part of the agreement and provide the decryption software. We doubt that you want to be left without your files and your money, so we suggest you try data recovery methods described below the article. Second, paying the ransom only fuels criminals’ motivation to continue illegal activities. Therefore, you should think about EDA2 removal instead of searching for ways to obtain Bitcoins. To remove EDA2 malware, we suggest using FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner.
How did this virus slither into my computer system?
Ransomware viruses are usually covered with several obfuscation layers, and they can reach the victim in the form of a malicious link, hideous email attachment, or part of a bogus software update[5]. It is important to understand that relying on common sense might fail to protect your computer since malware developers use very tricky techniques to deceive users and make them install such no-way-back virus. However, you should remember that staying away from vague-looking emails can save your data from malicious attempts to encrypt it. Even if the sender claims to be from Amazon, Paypal, or other legitimate company, double-check the sender’s email and look if the message contains any grammar mistakes (these are the typical points that help to identify a scam). What is more, you should never click on ads hosted on shady third-party websites. Clicking on them can take you to really nasty places on the Internet. If you ever accidentally enter a shady-looking website, better quit it immediately. Finally, beware of malware that travels along freeware and set Advanced or Custom settings when installing software.
How to delete EDA2 virus from the system?
If EDA2 virus has already struck and successfully encrypted your files, there are several different options of what you can do next. You can obey to attackers’ demands and pay the ransom (not recommended), or you can remove EDA2 ransomware from the system and use the backups you have to restore lost data. Sadly, many people do not take care of backups on time, and when ransomware hits their computers, they have no chance to recover lost files easily. If you are one of those victims who do not have a backup, we suggest you follow these data recovery steps that are provided here. However, you should carry them out only after EDA2 removal procedure.
Getting rid of EDA2 virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If your computer has been compromised, please do not panic. There is a slight chance that your files can be recovered, but please remove EDA2 malware carefully first. You can find EDA2 removal steps below.
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Remove EDA2 using System Restore
-
Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
-
Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
-
Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
-
Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
-
Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
-
When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of EDA2. After doing that, click Next.
-
Now click Yes to start system restore.
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove EDA2 from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If your files are encrypted by EDA2, you can use several methods to restore them:
Get help from Data Recovery Pro
In case you have no backups, use Data Recovery Pro. This tool might help you to restore lost files.
- Download Data Recovery Pro;
- Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
- Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by EDA2 ransomware;
- Restore them.
Let the ShadowExplorer find Volume Shadow Copies
Some viruses are programmed by amateur programmers who forget to add a function that deletes Volume Shadow Copies. These copies can be used to restore corrupted files. Use ShadowExplorer to check if Volume Shadow Copies are still on your computer.
- Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
- Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
- Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
- Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from EDA2 and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Jake Doe. RSA-4096 Ransomware. How to Remove? (Uninstall Guide). 2-Spyware. Fighting against spyware.
- ^ Key (cryptography). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- ^ What is Bitcoin?. CoinDesk. Bitcoin News, Prices, Charts, Guides & Analysis.
- ^ Project Eda2 is Abandoned Due to Magic Ransomware Incident. Utku Sen Blog. Computer security, programming.
- ^ Is That Software Update Actually Malware?. ZoneAlarm Security Blog. News and information about internet security, online threats and safe web practices.