Donut ransomware. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Donut ransomware – a virus that packs your files using an encryption algorithm
Donut ransomware virus - malware that encrypts your important files.
Donut ransomware is a virus that seems to be based on HidenTear ransomware project. It demands you to pay the ransom after data encryption. For this encryption, process ransomware uses a specific algorithm and during this encoding .donut file extension is placed. These files can be anything and everything: images, photos, videos, text files, archives. Same as other ransomware this one aims to hold on to your data and earn money. After the encryption files become useless and possibly not decryptable. Cybercriminals demand victims to pay 100 US dollar worth in Bitcoin. Virus developer states in their ransom message that this is the only way to get unique decryption key.
| Name | Donut |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware |
| File extension | .donut |
| Contact email | donutmmm@tutanota.com |
| Danger level | High. Can access Windows registry key settings, lead to permanent data loss |
| Distribution | Spam email attachments, insecure advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Blocked access to files |
| Elimination | Best tool for virus removal Reimage |
Although, the cybercriminals[1] demands money and suggest that this is the only way to get your safety back we do not recommend to pay any ransom to these people and do not contact them in any way. Ransomware can contain other programs, files or tools that could do more damage to your system and work behind your back. Also, this virus can not only encrypt your necessary files but also change Windows Registry key[2]. This is the reason you should do Donut ransomware removal as soon as possible.
Donut virus usually gets into the system when a person opens a malicious email attachment. Immediately it starts data encryption procedure and drops a ransom note where crooks inform about a necessity to pay the ransom in exchange for decryption software in the lock-screen:
Hi. All your files have been ENCRYPTED by DONUT Ransomware Do you want to restore your files? Your should buy DonutDecryptor.
Current Price $100.
For payment your need cryptocurrency BitCoin. Write to our email – donutmmm @tutanota.com and tell us your unique ID and BitCoin transaction. Your Uniq ID is: BitCoin wallet is: [redacted]
Viruss.lv[3] security specialist warns that these people are dangerous and cannot be trusted. After the payment, they might disappear, and you might not get a decryption key. Thus instead of contacting them via donutmmm@tutanota.com, you should remove Donut ransomware.
Virus elimination won't recover your files, but it's an important task to make sure that malware does not cause more harm to more significant parts of your system. After the infiltration, Donut ransomware virus makes numerous changes to your computer and makes the system vulnerable. Therefore, your machine might not only become sluggish but vulnerable to other cyber threats too.
Although file recovering is not easily doable we highly recommend focusing on Donut ransomware removal instead of looking for the decryption tools. For our knowledge, there is no official decryption tool that is safe to use yet. The most reliable way for file recovery is backups on an extra drive. Also, we provided a couple of methods for file restoration below that might help if you have no backup files. You can use Reimage as the first step in virus elimination.
Select 'Safe Mode with Networking'
Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Networking'
Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next'
Select your restore point and click 'Next'
Click 'Yes' and start system restore
Suspicious emails lead to high-risk infections
Usually, spam emails look legitimate and contain ordinary attachments, but even those familiar Word files can be infected with malicious macros that install various malware to your computer system immediately after opening. This means that you need to be careful and cautious with unknown emails. Be aware that spam folder in your email box is dangerous, so do not open them and delete all letters without any clicking on advertisements or attachments.
You need to be cautious before these attacks, so you are prepared for cyber infections in advanced. File backing can be a good idea when your files are accidentally lost or encrypted by the malicious ransomware. Safely stored on the external drive your data can be recovered at any time. Be cautious and make sure that your anti-spyware tools are updated in time.
Donut ransomware elimination procedure
To remove Donut ransomware successfully, you should use professional anti-malware tools like Reimage, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes. You can use other programs, but it is vital to trust providers you know are legitimate. These tools can help to get rid of every little thing that relates to this malware. This can ensure that when you recover your files from a backup, your data would not be destroyed. If the system is not safe, your backup drive can be damaged, and you lose your files permanently.
To avoid any possible threats in the future after you did the correct Donut ransomware removal, you should update your anti-virus or anti-spyware tools and use them in the future often. The full system scan can be a perfect way for infection prevention. Follow our guide below that could help you to get rid of this virus entirely and recover your lost files. It is important to do quickly as possible, so there are not many changes done to your OS.
To remove Donut virus, follow these steps:
Remove Donut using Safe Mode with Networking
First thing you can do when you are affected by ransomware is rebooting your system in Safe Mode with Networking
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Networking
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 Safe Mode with Networking 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 Networking in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Remove Donut
Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Donut removal.
If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.
Remove Donut using System Restore
If this is not helping much you can use System restore feature
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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.
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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 Donut. 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 Donut 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 Donut, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro is a tool for restoring your encrypted data
If you accidentally deleted your files or Donut ransomware encrypted them, you can recover them with this trustful tool:
- 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 Donut ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions feature can restore individual files
This feature can help in individual file recovery but only if System Restore feature was enabled before the initial attack:
- 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 can be used for Donut ransomware encrypted data recovery
If the ransomware have not deleted Shadow Volume Copies of your files, you can recover them using this tool:
- 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.
Decrypter is not available
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Donut and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes
About the author
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References
- ^ Linas Kiguolis. Reasons why cyber criminals are eager to hack your smartphone. 2-spyware. Security and spyware news.
- ^ Windows registry. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Viruss. Viruss. Spyware news.
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