How to remove Dkey ransomware

Dkey ransomware is a malicious computer virus that locks personal files and prevents users from opening them until a ransom is paid

Dkey is a type of malware known as ransomware, the purpose of which is to extract money from innocent victims. After accessing the Windows system silently (usually via spam emails or cracked software installers), it begins the encryption process and appends the .dkey extension to every personal photo, document, database, etc. This renders all files useless, meaning that owners are unable to modify or even open them.

After finishing encryption, malware delivers FILES ENCRYPTED.txt and a pop-up window, both of which are used to provide information on what victims should do to recover access to files. Apparently, they need to write an email to Daniel22key@aol.com or Daniel22key@cock.li and pay a ransom in bitcoin to retrieve the decryptor. We don't recommend doing so, as crooks may never fulfill their promises, resulting in money loss and file loss.

The ransom notes and what to do next

The Dkey virus stems from a well-established malware family known as Dharma. It's been around since at least 2016, so cybercriminals operating it had quite a bit of experience over the years. Maybe because of that, so many new variants regularly emerge, including those we discussed already, e.g., Iq20, Gnik, or MLF.

This malware always delivers a set of ransom notes – one comes as a typical TXT file, while the other shows up as a pop-up window. The pop-up window is the more important one (and it's unsurprising considering its visibility), as it details more information about the attack:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

Don't worry,you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, follow this link:email Daniel22key@aol.com YOUR ID 
If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:Daniel22key@cock.li

Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

This note also claims that users should not rely on alternative data recovery methods, which is not surprising considering that hackers have all the incentive to do so, as they simply want to get paid. We highly recommend not communicating with the attackers, as it would only confirm to them that their illegal business actually works.

Instead, check out the details below that would help you remove Dkey ransomware from your system and then attempt to recover files using alternative methods.

Remove malware and recover data without paying

It's crucial to follow the right steps while battling ransomware since failing to do so might reduce the likelihood of data being restored to its original state. When dealing with malware, your first task is to get rid of it, copy any encrypted data, and then try data restoration.

The first thing you need to do is make sure all the compromised PCs have the virus removed. You only need to worry about your personal computer if your device is not linked to a network. To disconnect it from the internet, simply pull the ethernet cable or disconnect your WiFi via the taskbar. Alternatively, follow these steps:

• Type in Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter
• Go to Network and Internet
• Click Network and Sharing Center
• On the left, pick Change adapter settings
• Right-click on your connection (for example, Ethernet), and select Disable
• Confirm with Yes.

Some ransomware disappears after it finishes encrypting your files, so you might not find anything. However, that's not always the case since ransomware is often bundled with other malware which may continue stealing personal information or deliver additional payloads. Therefore, you should download and install SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, or another reputable security software and perform a full system scan with it.

You can try to restore the encrypted data if you're confident that your computer is free of virus and ransomware infections. Paying hackers is a bad idea since, as we've already explained, you can lose your money in addition to your files. Before moving on, you should be aware of the following:

• Anti-malware scan will not restore your files, and they continue to be inaccessible;
• If no backups are available, it is crucial you make a copy of the encrypted files. Otherwise, you may corrupt them beyond repair;
• While the following decryption method might not be effective right now, it might be in the future if security experts discover vulnerabilities in the Dkey ransomware's encryption algorithm.

Thanks to the work of security experts, decryption solutions may potentially be developed for specific ransomware variants. In some circumstances, law enforcement agencies seize the servers of criminals, allowing the keys to be made public. Thus, you might find the following links useful:

• No More Ransom Project
• Free Ransomware Decryptors by Kaspersky
• Free Ransomware Decryption Tools from Emsisoft
• Avast decryptors

You shouldn't give up just yet if a decryptor is unavailable, as is frequently the case with emerging ransomware strains. The employment of specialized data recovery software is still feasible. Shadow Copies might remain on the computer after malware has been removed, making it possible to restore earlier versions of data. Data recovery software may restore at least some of your files:

• Download Data Recovery Pro.
• Double-click the installer to launch it.
  
• Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
• As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
• Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
• Press Next.
• At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
• Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
• You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
• Press Recover to retrieve your files.

Fix system damage

Windows is no longer the same after malware infection since some system files may get corrupted or even deleted. This can lead to system instability, which can contribute to crashes, failed application launches, BSODs,^[1] and a variety of other problems. After removing the virus, if you are still experiencing these issues, apply recovery software as detailed below.

• Download FortectIntego
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.

How to avoid and mitigate ransomware in the future

You might acquire ransomware in a number of ways. Most frequently, hackers use a variety of distribution strategies, however certain strains exclusively use one. For example, spam email attachments continue to be one of the most popular ways to send dangerous payloads. When opened, booby-trapped documents run malicious code. You shouldn't connect with strange emails since links inside malspam^[2] may also be used.

Websites for the distribution of software cracks and pirated applications are also widespread, as those sites are frequently inadequately safeguarded. In reality, some of them exist simply to infect visitors with any number of malware (they also made it appear like real torrent sites).

In other situations, hackers use more complicated methods, such as security vulnerabilities,^[3] to deliver ransomware to users. To protect your computer, we recommend that you always have updated security software running and that the operating system (OS) and all applications are patched with the latest updates.

The best protection against ransomware attacks is reliable data backups that should be held on a separate medium. For example, OneDrive or other cloud services could be used. Below you will find the instructions on how to create backups of your important files never to have a problem restoring them when the time comes.