Barrax ransomware / virus (Free Instructions) - Virus Removal Guide

Barrax virus Removal Guide

What is Barrax ransomware virus?

Barrax crypto-malware sets out to encrypt your files

New ransomware under the name of Barrax virus joins up the online market to infect computers and wheedle out money. It is one of those viruses which created on the basis of HiddenTear open-source virus[1]. Though initially created with good intentions, now such ransomware poses as one of the cyber headaches. Any crook with little than average computer knowledge may take the pattern to generate his or her own file-encrypting. Open-source or educational ransomware viruses indirectly contribute to the emergence of more destructive malicious file-encrypting threats. On the other hand, less experienced racketeers may overlook some crucial details in the configuration process which results in the flaws. Even if you got infected with this crypto-malware, it is not a final verdict yet. Start Barrax removal virus with anti-malware program. When the computer is fully cleaned, you can proceed with data recovery instructions.

After the emergence of such well-known threats as CryptoWall, Locky, Dharma virus, other less experienced crooks join the market as well. Besides the promotion of ransomware-as-a-service[2], open-source or educational viruses became the goldmines for such hackers. Though they gave a start for quite sophisticated new viruses, others not-so-destructive threats emerged. At this point, it is still difficult to guess how aggressive is Barrax malware. There are multiple cases when passive in the beginning threats, later on, evolved into real cyber menaces. Though Barrax ransomware does not seem to be very complex, it might be pernicious to underestimate it[3].

The image displaying Barrax virusMany theories arise about the complexity of Barrax virus. However, one thing is for sure: it may develop into a massive cyber menace.

It exploits a well-known AES encryption technique to encrypt personal files. It also meddles with the registry keys. As a result, it may launch User Account Control messages which emerge each time you launch a new application. However, it is not difficult to spot the signs of this ransomware. When such notification pops up, you might notice a strange publisher. In this case, do not allow the program to run. Exiting the UAC alert will not stop the ransomware entirely, but you may win time. In addition, if you are able to launch Task Manager, end all tasks which run under the svchvost.exe or explorer.exe files. Barrax malware may also secretly operate under the name of legitimate system files, for example, shvost.exe or explorer.exe. At the moment, it does not append any particular file extension. However, it is able to encode a series of different file formats. Once you notice any signs of this threat, make a rush to remove Barrax from the system.

How did I get infect with this malware?

2016 was said to have been the year of ransomware. However, the surplus of ransomware raised public awareness about the distribution of such threats. It made hackers look for alternative and more profitable infection techniques. Spam emails and trojans remain to be popular among hacketers. You might prevent Barrax hijack by carefully reviewing spam emails. Recent cases reveal that cyber villains try to force its victims to open the infected file by alarming them with fake Supreme Court, FBI or the Office of Personnel Management emails. If you take a second look, you might notice an over-alarming style of the letter. Look for grammar and typo mistakes. In addition, you might notice the alternations in logo style. You should arm up with proper computer security programs to ward off the trojans delivering Barrax crypto-malware: Gen:Heur.Ransom.HiddenTears.1, Ransom.HiddenTear,Ransom.Ryzerlo.S4, and Ransom:MSIL/Ryzerlo.A. Do not consider paying to the hackers as only few ransomware creators are known to play fair[4].

Eliminating Barrax virus

Despite whether the ransomware happens to be more elaborate or not, it is not recommended meddling with it but root it out as soon as possible[5]. Perform Barrax removal with a security program, FortectIntego or Malwarebytes, for instance. It would be no surprise if you could not remove Barrax virus from the first time. Specifically, the malware might prevent you from launching the apps by showing “parameter is incorrect” messages. In that case, the below-indicated instructions will help you regain the access. In addition, you might also find additional guidelines to recover the data.

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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 Barrax virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Regain the access to your device by going through these steps. Then, you will be able to launch your malware removal utility and eradicate Barrax ransomware.

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 Barrax using System Restore

If the above instructions do not help you regain access, run 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 Barrax. 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 Barrax removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Barrax 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 Barrax, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro utility

Brush aside the thoughts to pay the ransom, but instead, run this program to recover the files encrypted by Barrax ransomware. There is a chance that you may not succeed in recovering all the files but it is still worth a try.

  • 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 Barrax ransomware;
  • Restore them.

How useful is ShadowExplorer? Can it decrypt the files affected by Barrax malware?

This program works on the basis of shadow volume copies. There are no reports that Barrax virus deletes them. This app recreates your files according to these patterns.

  • 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.

Is Barrax decrypter available yet?

At the moment, there is no decryption software released specifically to this virus. However, recently the decrypter for the original version of HiddenTear virus was released so it might help you recover your files. 

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Barrax 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
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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