Alphabet ransomware / virus (Removal Guide) - Quick Decryption Solution
Alphabet virus Removal Guide
What is Alphabet ransomware virus?
Alphabet ransomware virus: is it a real threat?
Computer users who tend to open any received spam email risk to encounter Alphabet virus. Ransomware-type[1] viruses are known as the most dangerous cyber threats nowadays; however, this piece of malware is still under development and cannot encrypt any files. After infiltration, it only locks affected computer’s screen and delivers a ransom-demanding message. Due to the lock screen, victims might be shocked or scared because they cannot access their PCs. Alphabet ransomware virus also informs about encrypted files and claims that decryption[2] is only possible with special decryption key. However, the same message includes the necessary key, so after ransomware attack victims only have to copy and paste it. It seems that it’s only a test version and hackers are just observing. Sooner or later they might strike again and launch a real and hazardous ransomware campaign. For this reason, you should remove Alphabet from the computer before it hasn’t caused any damage or encrypted your files. Scan your device with FortectIntego or other reputable anti-malware program and let it delete all malicious files.
Malware researchers started talking about this malware at the end of 2016. Even though there hasn’t been confirmed any cases when Alphabet malware encrypted files, the chances that it might happen soon are quite high. Hackers always create and spread crypto-malware[3] for some shady purposes[4], and, of course, the most important one is to swindle the money. However, on the affected computer this file-encrypting virus might change security settings and try to steal your personal data, such as credit card or bank account details if you decide to login or purchase something online using the infected device. Delaying Alphabet removal is not recommended because your computer’s system becomes vulnerable and other malware might use these flaws to hijack your device.
How can you get infected with ransomware?
Alphabet ransomware spreads like ordinary file-encrypting malware. It might infiltrate the system via malicious email attachment or infected link, exploit kits and bogus software downloads or updates. As you can see, there are many ways to get infected with ransomware. No one can be 100% secure from this cyber threat; however, taking some precautions[5] and minimizing the risk of the attack is a must. First of all, you should be careful with your emails. Never open spam emails and attached documents if you don’t know the sender or the message itself seems suspicious. Bear in mind that even safe-looking Word or PDF files might include malware. Secondly, never click on strange links or ads because they might be infected as well. If you receive a message from a friend that has strange link, before clicking it, ask him or her whether it’s safe or not. Thirdly, install and keep updated some security program. We recommend investing in the professional protection because your files are worth that. Lastly, you should backup files regularly and store them in the external devices. They will be valuable if you encounter Alphabet virus or other ransomware.
Alphabet removal instructions
Even though Alphabet Screenlocker virus is under development and cannot cause real damage, you should not let it stay inside. However, when hackers finish working on its updates and upgrades, malware can encrypt your files and ask for your money. So, you should not wait for this to happen. Remove Alphabet using one of these malware removal tools: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. If your computer’s screen is locked and you cannot access any security tools, reboot your device to the Safe Mode with Networking and follow the instructions below. Once you can access your PC, install one of the previously mentioned programs, and run a full system scan. However, if some of your files are encrypted, try additional data recovery methods after Alphabet removal.
Getting rid of Alphabet virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If your computer’s screen is locked and you cannot access malware removal tools, reboot your device to the 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 Alphabet using System Restore
If automatic Alphabet removal does not go smooth, follow these guidelines.
-
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 Alphabet. After doing that, click Next.
- Now click Yes to start system restore.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Alphabet from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.There’re any cases reported about encrypted files by Alphabet ransomware virus. However, if it happened to you and you do not have data backups, try our prepared solutions.
If your files are encrypted by Alphabet, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro
Data Recovery Pro is a professional tool that has been created for restoring damaged, deleted or encrypted files. So, it might help to restore your files 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 Alphabet ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions feature
If System Restore fuction has been activated on your computer before ransomware attack, you can try to recover individual files using these instructions:
- 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
If malware hasn’t deleted Shadow Volume Copies of the targeted files, try ShadowExplorer for data recovery by following these steps:
- 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 Alphabet 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.
- ^ Juderson Jean-Baptiste. What Ransomware is and Why it is Very Dangerous. Make Tech Easier. Computer Tuorials, Tips and Tricks.
- ^ Decryption. Computer Hope. Free computer help and information.
- ^ Vadim Kotov, Mantej Singh Rajpal. Understanding Crypto-Ransomware. Bromium. Protection against Advanced Cyber Attacks.
- ^ Tom Simonite. Holding Data Hostage: The Perfect Internet Crime?. MIT Technology Review. The website about technolog, computers, business, biomedicine and robotics.
- ^ Robert Lemos. How to prevent ransomware: What one company learned the hard way. PC World. News, tips and reviews on technologies and computers.