Ransomware 2.0 virus (Simple Removal Guide)
Ransomware 2.0 virus Removal Guide
What is Ransomware 2.0 virus?
The dangers that Ransomware 2.0 poses to your PC:
Ransomware 2.0 virus creators do not stand alongside those nasty hackers that give their malicious creations controversial names as if making fun of the users who are already in a very unpleasant situation because of the encrypted files. Nevertheless, by no means should this program be dismissed as harmless. Just like its audacious colleagues, Ransomware 2.0 is capable of locking the computer together with its containing files and demanding the victims to pay the ransom for the ability to get the access back. It is interesting that the lock screen that this virus drops on the infected computer only threatens about file encryption, though, in reality, the documents actually remain unencrypted. Sadly, it does not stop the infected users from taking the virus for granted and paying up. Though some experts deem this program as a fraudulent ransomware scam, the less experienced users might not consider it much different than the real thing. In other words, if you don’t know how to remove the lock screen it will obstruct you from accessing your computer and work like any other crypto-ransomware virus. The major difference is that you can remove Ransomware 2.0 virus from your computer much easier than the real ransomware and the data recovery prospects with this fake virus are much more optimistic. We talk more about the virus elimination and data recovery techniques below, but if you are seeking a quick result, you should scan your computer with FortectIntego or other professional anti-malware software.
Despite the fact that Ransomware 2.0 does not encrypt files, it does quite a good job imitating a real ransomware virus. In the before-mentioned lock screen it introduces the following message:
18fpJAr6dkK5PsggDiqKe7dwwDpBbCEBqn
Follow the steps below, you have 24 hours or else.
Step 1: Create a account (hxxps://blockchain.info)
Step 2: Create an account on (hxxps://localbitcoins.com)
Step 3: Start a exchange for 1 bitcoin and then send the 1 bitcoin to the above address.
Step 4: Send a email to t@torguard.tg with your bitcoin address.
Step 5: Wait until we have processed your payment.
Step 6: Check your email for a access code.
Step 7: Enter the access code to unlock your computer.
Everything Set! Virus fully activated.
It is a typical ransom note you would receive when infected with ransomware. The victim is put under time pressure and is threatened with data destruction if money isn’t paid in time. Also, scammers employ the anonymous payment system and demand the ransom to be transferred in Bitcoins. 1 Bitcoin is quite a lot of money (around 700 USD), and all of it goes to the hands of hackers when you try to buy out your files. This motivates them to continue their malicious business and create even more fraudulent apps. Thus, you should think very carefully whether you really want to support the cyber criminals. Besides, don’t forget that it is only a fake virus which can be easily banished from the computer. We suggest you take care of the Ransomware 2.0 removal following our recommendations at the end of the article.
How does this virus reach its victims?
Ransomware 2.0 virus is mostly downloadable. You may obtain it from unreputable software download sites, install it through the fake software updates or receive emails carrying malicious attachments in your inbox. Hackers and their mastery of tricking users into downloading the virus on their computers seems inexhaustible. They may work under the names of governmental institutions, send you speeding tickets, online purchase confirmations and any other content that might make you click the infected link or download an attachment. These Ransomware 2.0 distribution strategies only prompt us to be more careful when opening unfamiliar attachments or downloading software from unverified websites. You should also use legitimate anti-malware utilities to warn you and protect you from undesirable invasions.
How can I remove Ransomware 2.0?
First and foremost, when dealing with any cyber infection, you should remain collected and refrain from making any rash decisions. Do not transfer any ransom money or follow other hackers’ commands. This may help you diminish the potential damage. Above all, you should initiate the system scan with one of the professional and trustworthy antivirus utilities and remove Ransomware 2.0 from your computer. Recommendations on how to eliminate the lock screen and access your antivirus utility are discussed below. Next to these instructions you will find data recovery steps in case you are infected with some new version of Ransomware 2.0 virus and can’t access your files after its elimination. If you are still having trouble with Ransomware 2.0 removal, do not hesitate to contact us in the “Ask us” section and we will try our best to help you.
Getting rid of Ransomware 2.0 virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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 Ransomware 2.0 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.
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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 Ransomware 2.0. 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 Ransomware 2.0 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 Ransomware 2.0, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro data recovery method
If you are having trouble accessing your files after the Ransomware 2.0 attack, we suggest obtaining a specialized utility like Data Recovery Pro and running it on your computer to try and restore the locked files. The guidelines below will explain how to use this data recovery software properly.
- 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 Ransomware 2.0 ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions feature data recovery method
Windows Previous Versions feature will only prove useful for the users who had the System Restore function enabled on their systems pre-ransomware. If you are one of those considerate people, check out the instructions below to get started.
- Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
- Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
- Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.
ShadowExplorer data recovery method
Bad news is that ShadowExplorer will not help you with the full system recovery. The good news though is that you can recover individual files using the ShadowExplorer in case the virus has not deleted the Volume Shadow Copies that are needed for this method to work. Learn how to use ShadowExplorer below:
- 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 Ransomware 2.0 and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
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