.Block file virus ransomware (Removal Instructions)
.Block file virus Removal Guide
What is .Block file virus ransomware?
The main principles of .Block ransomware virus:
.Block virus is a new addition to the category of ransomware viruses which locks the files and appends .block extensions to the endings of the file names, replacing the regular ones. The virus is apparently targeted towards the Russian-speaking computer users since the data recovery instructions (the so-called ransom note) are displayed in Russian. Thus, we can presume that the Russian-speaking countries are at a greater risk of becoming the boiling epicenter of the .Block ransomware distribution than the rest of the world. Nevertheless, nothing obstructs the virus from spreading outside this area and infecting computers on the other side of the globe. So, you should never let your guard down and look out for the dangerous Web content that might be infectious. If it so happens that you accidentally get infected with this menacing ransomware, make sure you have data backups and proper tools to remove .Block from the computer. If you don’t have such equipment yet, take a look at FortectIntego. It is a professional virus-fighting suite which is acknowledged and used by millions worldwide.
Apart from the demarcated area of its distribution, .Block is a typical ransomware infection. It stealthily encrypts the data stored on the attacked computer using a sophisticated encryption key and drops a ransom note after the encryption is completed. The attackers encourage the user to check out the newly created readME!.txt by replacing the desktop picture (file called bg2.jpg) with a text that in English reads:
Your files have been encrypted!
To restore them follow the instructions located in the ReadMe!.txt file which is found in every folder with files and on the desktop.
If you try to decrypt the files yourself, they may be permanently damaged!!!
We have not managed to acquire the actual ransom note, so we do not know what do the hackers demand for the ability to access the data and whether the data decryption is possible at all. Either way, you should not even be interested in the contents of the ransom note since it probably features the extortionists’ demands which you should not follow. Instead, focus on .Block removal, because it is probably the only thing that actually benefits YOU and not the hackers in this current situation. You can recover your files using alternative data recovery methods afterward.
How does this virus invade computers?
So far, the experts did not have a sufficient amount of material to analyze in order to determine .Block ransomware distribution strategies. Nevertheless, looking at the common tendencies, there are two main ways that the ransomware creators could have turned. They could have employed Trojans and exploit kits to spread this virus around or relied on malicious spam campaigns to deliver this parasite straight into the users’ inboxes. Though in both of the cases the virus gets sneaked into the computer by stealth, the exploit kits make it almost impossible to stop the infiltration. Receiving the virus by mail is a whole different story. First, after noticing an email that was sent by suspicious, unfamiliar sources you may not open it and move it straight to the trash folder. Even if you are curious enough to check the email, you still have to download the attachment and open it on your computer before the virus can finally begin encrypting files. This means that you are at least three steps away from getting infected by .Block virus. So, be careful, investigate your correspondence and don’t download suspicious attachments on your PC!
How to remove .Block virus and restore your system
Unfortunately, .Block virus is, at least at this point, too complicated of a program for us to be able to eliminate it from the computer without leaving a trace: the encrypted files will most likely remain locked. Nevertheless, .Block file virus removal is absolutely necessary. The most effective way to deal with the virus is to run the full-scale scan of your system using a professional anti-malware tool. This will allow you to remove .Block virus along with malware, Trojans, and worms that might be scattered throughout your computer. You can be sure that the system is completely virus-free after that. Keep in mind that ransomware may try to interfere with this process and block your antivirus from initiating. Don’t give up! Complete virus decontamination steps below and proceed with the extermination.
Getting rid of .Block file 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 .Block file 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.
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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 .Block file. 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 .Block file 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 .Block file, you can use several methods to restore them:
The benefits of Data Recovery Pro
Data Recovery Pro boosts the possibility of recovering your personal files, so why not give it a try? Check out the steps below to recover files using this software.
- 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 .Block file ransomware;
- Restore them.
The operating principles of Windows Previous Versions feature
Previously saved copies of your file can be accessed again via Windows Previous Versions feature function only if the System Restore function was activated before the .Block virus encryption.
- 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 option
.Block is a complex infection, but its developers might have missed the Volume Shadow Copies while encrypting your files. If they did, you can surely use ShadowExplorer to recover some of your files with the help of these backups.
- 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 .Block file 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.
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