Flatcher3 ransomware / virus (Free Instructions) - Tutorial
Flatcher3 virus Removal Guide
What is Flatcher3 ransomware virus?
Flatcher3: ransomware which encodes your files
Flatcher3 virus functions as crypto-malware[1]. There is still little information how this crypto-malware encrypts personal files, but it is likely to use AES encryption to encode personal files. It provides little information about the crypto-malware. In the helping.txt file, victims see few requirements: in fact, one demand – to contact flatcher3@india.com in order to get decrypter or retrieve the affected files. .flatcher3@india.com.000g and 145-bit file extension are appended to every encrypted document. Recently, there has been a series of viruses which display their requirements in the .txt files. All of them were created on the basis of HiddenTear virus. It is possible to assume that this virus was also constructed according to the former threat. In that case, there are more chances to decrypt it. Before you do it, find out about flatcher3@india.com removal options[2].
Supposedly this malware is the misdeed of another wannabe hacker who made a risk to join hackers[3]. Easy money remains an attractive idea both, in the virtual and cyber world. Thus, it draws in racketeers of various ilk. Flatcher3 ransomware also fosters assumptions that it was created by an inexperienced gearhead. The virus does not present its unique program nor changes the desktop picture. Moreover, the text file does not indicate a specific amount of ransom so users supposedly receive this information after contacting the cyber villain via the displayed email address. Since there is still little information about the malware, it is not recommended to transmit the money. In the end, you may lose the money and the last hope to retrieve the files. For the future note, if you notice significantly slower system processes, restart the device. This action does not only fix temporal system bugs but may disturb less-elaborate malware finish encrypting your files. Thus, make a haste to remove flatcher3@india.com from the device. One of the options to do that is use FortectIntego or Malwarebytes.
The transmission peculiarities of the malware
The distribution strategy of Flatcher3 malware does not differ much. It fishes for victims disguised as an email attachment. It may come as update.exe or explorer.exe file wrapped in a .zip folder. Be careful not to get deceived by fake notifications about won lottery or the notifications to update your Flash player or Skype app. Update your system program only from the official websites. In addition, add additional security application to your anti-virus software. Such combination will lower the risk of getting infected with exploit kit[4] or trojanized ransomware. Note that you may accelerate Flatcher3 hijack if you install a shady browser plug-in as well[5]. Examine a new app and feature before downloading or enabling it.
Flatcher3 termination method
Unfortunately, there are only a few possible Flatcher3 removal options. Unless you are a virus researcher yourself, manual eradication is not recommended. Entrust this procedure to a virus elimination tool. In case, you cannot run it, make use of the below instructions. After you regain full access, you will be able to remove Flatcher3 virus. Note that an anti-spyware app does not help you restore encrypted files so you may need to use the services of another tool. Look up for an unusual process in the Task Manager which takes up large CPU memory usage and end it. Likewise, you may bother the operation of the malware and prevent it from inflicting greater damage.
Getting rid of Flatcher3 virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Restart the PC in Safe Mode to regain full control in order to regain a full control. Then, continue Flatcher3 removal.
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 Flatcher3 using System Restore
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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.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Flatcher3. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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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 Flatcher3 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 Flatcher3, you can use several methods to restore them:
Restore your files with the assistance of Data Recovery Pro
It is an alternative solution to restore the files if you haven’t backed up your files in advance.
- 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 Flatcher3 ransomware;
- Restore them.
The usefulness of ShadowExplorer
This ransomware hardly deletes shadow volume copies in advance so you may get another chance to restore your files. This program employs the mentioned copies and, likewise, creates the copies of the original documents.
- 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.
Flatcher3@india.com Decrypter
There is no official decryption software released for this particular virus, but if further analysis confirms the speculations that the malware is constructed on the basis of HiddenTear virus, this free decrypter might help you recover the files.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Flatcher3 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.
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- ^ My Say. Ransomware: The 7 Stages Of Grief And How Companies Should Cope. Forbes. Entertainment, Lifestyle, Security.
- ^ Carl Weinschenk. How to Fight Against Ransomware: It’s Hard, Not Hopeless. IT Business Edge. News, Analysis, and Trends.
- ^ Christina Zhao. Cyber Ransoming: a Growing Parasitical Business for Uk Hackers. Indepedent. UK and World News.
- ^ Greg Masters. Surge in exploit kits last month, Check Point. SCMedia. The cyber security source.
- ^ Peter Stancik . Don’t pay for what is for free: Malicious Adobe Flash Player app found on Google Play. WeLiveSecurity. News, views, and insight from the ESET security community.