Demo ransomware / virus (Improved Instructions)

Demo virus Removal Guide

What is Demo ransomware virus?

Demo ransomware: another serious threat?

Luckily, Demo virus does not seem to possess a highly complex structure in comparison with other threats of the same category. However, you should not underestimate it as it is still able to encode your files. Therefore, we recommend you to proceed to Demo removal. More explicit information is provided below the article. The longer the virus stays on the computer, the more vulnerable the system for outside threats might become. Even if the ransom message is written in German, it is naive to think that the virus only targets respective country. In any case, make a rush to remove Demo from the device. FortectIntego will help you to do it properly.

As ransomware business is becoming more popular among hackers of different age and users, who want to earn easy money, more elaborate ransomware viruses appear. Though their operation method and the final result might be the same, each of them has peculiar characteristics. For example, Demo malware only encrypts .jpg and .jpeg files. You might notice that all of the corrupted documents bear .encrypted extension. Automatically, the danger level of this malware is significantly lower than other file-encrypting malware. Along with utilizing AES-256 encryption algorithm, the virus also provides the website – https://www.criminall-website.ru – where you should remit the payment of 0,5 BTC (approximately $300 dollars).

The example of Demo ransomware

All the requirements are presented in HELP_YOUR_FILES.txt file. Summarizing all these features, it seems that the crooks of Demo ransomware admire the cyber criminals who keep terrorizing the virtual world with the new versions of Cerber and Locky. The name of the ransom note, the style, the requirements, all resemble the operation of mentioned viruses. Though there is still much space for improvement, it suggests that hacker-wannabes are learning from their mistakes quickly. In other words, younger and more capable new generation of cyber crooks is ready to take the stage. Getting back to this virus, the specialists observed that there is still a very small number of Demo viruses on the Web, so the risk to get infected is still not that high.

The infection ways of the ransomware

The crooks follow the lead of other cyber criminals and distribute the virus via exploit kits, spam messages, and file-sharing domains. The latter is often filled with corrupted trojans. So users, who tend to visit similar domains frequently, might encounter not only Demo hijack but more terrifying viruses as well. Since the virus is named “demo,” it is likely that the crooks plan on launching the “full” version of the malware. Thus, we recommend you to stay alerted and arm up with proper cyber protection. In addition, be cautious while reviewing your spam folder. Careless click on a link or an extension might result in getting caught in the trap of a computer worm or ransomware.

Eliminating Demo from the device

When it comes to any file-encrypting malware, whether complex or less destructive, rely on a security tool. Thus, either of FortectIntego or Malwarebytes helps you remove Demo virus completely. However, in order for it to function properly, regular updates are crucial. One day of outdated virus definition database might facilitate the cyber attack. After the computer is completely cleaned, you may get acquainted with data recovery options. Lastly, if you encounter some trouble completing Demo removal procedure, feel free to use our guide.

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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 Demo 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 Demo 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 Demo. 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 Demo removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

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

The benefits of Data Recovery Pro

This utility is designed to recover the damaged and missing files. The newer versions may also decrypt the larger quantity of encoded files after a ransomware attack.

This utility 

  • 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 Demo ransomware;
  • Restore them.

ShadowExplorer uses volume shadow copies for data recovery

Volume shadow copies and automatically saved copies of your important files and applications. The operating system creates and stores them in a remote folder. Few ransomware threats are known to delete these copies. Luckily, in the majority of cases, this program recovers some of your files as well.

  • 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 Demo and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

 

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

About the author
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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