7h9r ransomware / virus (Improved Instructions)

7h9r virus Removal Guide

What is 7h9r ransomware virus?

Essential information about 7h9r ransomware virus:

7h9r virus is a new ransomware program which encrypts the files on the victim’s computer using complex, military-grade algorithm and demands money in exchange for the decryption key. Unfortunately, ransomware viruses would not be called one of the most vicious cyber threats today if everything would be that simple. In reality, the victims rarely regain access to their stolen even after paying up and have to look for other ways to decrypt their files. Even though experts have already found decryption tools for some of the similar viruses, 7h9r malware is still on a rampage, and there is practically no way of decrypting it without paying a ransom. Since paying up does not guarantee the decryption key will be issued and simply leaving the virus to roam your computer poses a danger to your future files, the wisest choice is to remove 7h9r from the computer. You can do that by applying professional anti-malware equipment such as FortectIntego for the job.

An image of 7h9r ransomware virus

Typically to other ransomware viruses, after 7h9r encrypts the files it changes their extensions. In this case, you will not be able to open files featuring .7h9r extensions instead of the regular ones. What is less common, though, is that this virus will not display any pop-up lock screen ransom notes, nor will it change your desktop wallpaper to want you about the current state of your computer. However, it does create a text document called README_.txt, which features all the criminals’ demands. The victims will be encouraged to contact the crooks via 7h9r341@gmail(dot)com email address and then asked to pay $100 USD in BitCoins to receive the data decryption key. As we have already mentioned, this is the last thing you should do because you might not only lose your files but also disclose some of your sensitive banking information in the process of paying the ransom. You can only imagine what the cyber criminals could do with such data. Thus, 7h9r removal is the safest option you can go for if you find yourself in a situation like this.

Can I avoid 7h9r ransomware from infecting my PC?

As dangerous as it may seem, 7h9r ransomware can be avoided if you start taking the necessary security measures in time. As the virus is designed to take control over your network, the first thing you should do is obtain a reliable firewall which would block the virus Command & Control center from operating on your PC. We should also inform you that ransomware viruses usually spread through infected emails. Keep in mind that malicious emails may look very convincing, so unsuspecting users can easily be tricked into downloaded a virus disguised as an invoice, speeding ticket or other supposedly important email attachment. The wisest thing to do is to avoid opening emails received from unknown senders and refrain from downloading attachments added to such emails. It is also advisable to scan all the downloaded attachments with some reliable antivirus utility. However, ransomware is malicious and may bypass all the security layers, so, the best way to truly protect your device is to keep extra copies of your files stored on a remote drive.

Can I remove 7h9r from my PC and recover my files?

The good news is that you can remove 7h9r ransomware from your computer and continue using it as usual. Unfortunately, data recovery is a much more complicated task. We must remind you that there is no official 7h9r decryption tool invented yet, so you may only rely on data recovery utilities, such as PhotoRec, R-Studio or Kaspersky virus-fighting utilities. But we must warn you not to put too much hope in them. If you have some backup files stored on the external drive, your situation is much more favorable. However, before trying to recover your data you should take care of the thorough 7h9r removal first. You should use sophisticated antivirus software to scan your computer for ransomware components and remove them. You will find manual instructions below in case the virus tries interfering with the removal.

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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 7h9r 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 7h9r 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 7h9r. 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 7h9r removal is performed successfully.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from 7h9r 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.

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

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