Roga ransomware / virus (Decryption Methods Included)

Roga virus Removal Guide

What is Roga ransomware virus?

Roga ransomware: what should you know about this file-encrypting virus?

Roga ransomware[1] virus is an updated version of Free-Freedom ransomware which is known for locking the files instead of encrypting them. However, the newest version of the creation of the 13-year-old decrypts files and demands to pay the ransom. If we believe that the child has created this malware, we can also call the ransom childish. The hacker requires only 30 dollars by buying Play Store Gift Card[2]. Even though the ransom is small, we do not recommend paying it and encouraging hacker to develop a more serious project. Received gift cards is a motivation to work harder on the illegal works. If your files have been encrypted, you should remove Roga from the computer right now. Of course, malware elimination won’t bring back your personal files, but this process is crucial for keeping your computer safe. Perhaps, you have data backups stored in some external device? In this case, data recovery is simple. If not, we advise you to check additional data recovery methods below. Keep in mind that data recovery is possible only after Roga removal. Therefore, run a full system scan with FortectIntego, get rid of the infection, and retrieve your files.

After infiltration, Roga ransomware does not specifically encrypt data, but modifies targeted files’ extensions and appends a new one – .madebyadam. Then, it delivers the lock screen where victims learn that all their pictures, documents, and other files are encrypted. If they want to use their records ever again, they should follow the instructions. However, there’s no need to visit provided website and pay the ransom for data recovery. Malware researchers have already found the way how to get rid of the lock screen. You just need to enter the password “adamdude9.” The previous version of the Roga virus had active “Decrypt my Files” button, so after entering the password, users were able to restore their files automatically. This variant also has it, but it is not working. However, you can restore corrupted files manually without paying the ransom.

The image of Roga ransomware virus

Can I avoid ransomware?

Roga malware, as well as its predecessor, is not the real cyber threat; however, many real ransomware viruses are spreading all around the Net[3]. We want to take advantage of this situation and tell you some tips and tricks how you can avoid ransomware. Probably, you have heard that many computer users get infected with file-encrypting viruses after opening a malicious email attachment[4]. Indeed, it’s the most popular way to spread malware, so you should be careful with received emails and double check information before opening any attached document. Keep in mind that even safely looking Word or PDF files might hide a Trojan horse. Malware executables or exploit kits might also be hiding under malicious ads. Malvertising is quite popular malware distribution technique that allows adding infected advertisements on the regular and safe websites. This fact surprises many computer users because it is still believed that dangerous ads are placed only on high-risk sites[5]. It’s old news! Furthermore, visiting suspicious or questionable Internet sites is not recommended as well. Also, do not get tricked by fake pop-ups that warn about outdated programs or offers installing questionable software. Never trust them!

Guidelines for Roga ransomware removal

If you got infected with Roga virus, you should not worry. If you read the first part of the article carefully, you should know that it’s not very dangerous computer infection. Therefore, you can easily get rid of it and restore your files. It’s still a ransomware virus, so we do not recommend trying to delete it manually. We suggest automatic Roga removal method. Using this method you have to install anti-malware program (e.g. FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes) and run a full system scan. Don’t forget to update the program first! The outdated program might not be able to remove Roga from the PC. If you have some difficulties with virus elimination, check our prepared step-by-step guide below.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Roga 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
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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 Roga using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Roga. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that Roga removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Roga from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If you got infected with Roga ransomware virus and you cannot restore your files, try our prepared data recovery methods below.

If your files are encrypted by Roga, you can use several methods to restore them:

Option 1: Data Recovery Pro

This tool is designed for restoring deleted, encrypted or corrupted files. Data Recovery Pro can restore a wide range of different file types, so it should help you as well. Follow these steps:

  • 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 Roga ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Option 2: Windows Previous Versions feature

This option allows travelling back in time and access individual files. However, if System Restore function has not been enabled before Roga ransomware attack, this method is not suitable for you.

  • 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”.

Option 3: ShadowExplorer

Probably, Roga virus has failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies of the targeted files, so you can use ShadowExplorer tool to recover your files:

  • 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 Roga and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are

There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.

Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.

Data backups are important – recover your lost files

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.

While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

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