Blocking ransomware / virus (Removal Guide) - Recovery Instructions Included
Blocking virus Removal Guide
What is Blocking ransomware virus?
Blocking ransomware description
Blocking virus is a recently emerged version of the infamous BTCWare ransomware [1].The parasite is built using the code of the mentioned virus, only modifying a few basic details such as the ransom note, extensions, and contact email.
The current BTCWare Blocking virus variant drops ransom note-containing documents Info.hta and !#_READ_ME_#!.hta, appends encrypted files with [avalona.toga@aol.com].blocking extensions and indicates avalona.toga@aol.com as means of contacting the criminals.
Intentions of the blocking ransomware virus appear to be serious. The criminals do not hesitate to compile a lengthy and informative ransom note, explaining how the encrypted files can be recovered. Below, you can see an extract from this note:
All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail avalona.toga@aol.com in body of your message write your ID
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Later on in the document, the criminals lay down the conditions of test decryption, as a guarantee. Extortionists promise that they will decrypt one file for free before the victim pays the ransom.
The following chapters explain how to obtain Bitcoins, what not to do in order not to lose the files and, finally, provide the victims with a personalized ID number.
We do not recommend playing by the rules of the extortionists. They merely want your money and couldn’t care less about recovering your files. The best thing you should do is remove Blocking virus from your PC and make sure that it will not initiate any more modifications on your PC.
In the image above you can see two defining features of the Blocking virus: its ransom note and the file extensions it adds to the encrypted files.
Indeed, Blocking problems do not end with data encryption alone. Once the parasite is one the computer, it starts making changes to the system. In particular, it may modify MBR (master boot record) [2] settings, create new malicious Registry entries enabling auto-execute functionality and interfere with the smooth operation of other installed programs, including antivirus utilities.
Blocking removal may not help recover your files, but it will sure stop these unauthorized activities from continuing. Besides, after you banish the evil-doer from your PC with FortectIntego or other trusted antivirus utility, you will be able to recover your files from backups safely or restore them following one of our experts suggested methods.
Proliferation of the virus
Blocking is a new cyber infection, so it is natural that it is still not particularly widespread. Nevertheless, it does not mean that the parasite is being distributed somehow differently than its more popular counterparts.
Developers of this virus may be promoting the malware via spam email attachments, exploit kits [3], fake software update downloads and other random links you may encounter while browsing in unreputable and illegal websites.
We are pretty sure you don’t want to find Blocking on your computer ever, so we want to point out a few steps which will help you avoid it:
- Stay on top of the system and installed software updates. This will ensure that all the vulnerabilities and security gaps are patched up and cannot be taken advantage of.
- Don’t download suspicious emails attachments, click on random links or ads online and always second-think whether it is safe to visit certain sites or initiate downloads.
- Finally, keep your system protected with antivirus or other security software. Run frequent scans of your system and enable firewall to protect you from unwanted encounters.
Blocking virus removal instructions
If you already have an antivirus utility installed, you can use it to initiate Blocking removal. Nevertheless, before you do that you should check what version of the software you are running and make sure it is the latest one.
In case you don’t own any security software, don’t try to remove Blocking virus manually or worse, leave it on your PC. Run your device in Safe Mode with Networking, download and run a professional malware removal software.
You will find all instructions how to enable the Safe Mode and decontaminate the threat below.
Getting rid of Blocking virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
.blocking file extension virus is a vicious virus which may try to prevent its elimination. Enabling Safe Mode will disable this functionality.
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 Blocking using System Restore
System Restore is also a good way to disable ransomware. During the process no files will be lost. You will only have to run a scan of your PC with an antivirus software.
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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.
- 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 Blocking. 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 Blocking 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 Blocking, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro: a quick file recovery method
Since there is currently no known decryptor for the Blocking ransomware, you can only rely on alternative recovery methods to re-access your files.
- 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 Blocking ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions feature and the recovery of data
Windows Previous Versions feature is a Windows functionality you can use to recover your files to a certain restore point. Here's how it works.
- 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”.
File rescue using Shadow Explorer
Have you ever heard about Volume Shadow Copies? Well, these are copies of your files information that your computer keeps in case you want to restore and accidentally deleted file, etc. These copies can also be used for the data recovery after ransomware attack. Shadow Explorer is a tool which will help you do that easier.
- 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 Blocking 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.
- ^ Nate Lord. A history of ransomware attacks. Digitalguardian. The Digital Guardian Blog.
- ^ Master boot record. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Exploit Kit. Trendmicro. Security News .