Extractor ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Instructions) - Decryption Methods Included
Extractor virus Removal Guide
What is Extractor ransomware virus?
Everything we know about file-encrypting Extractor ransomware virus
Extractor virus is an exceptional ransomware[1] virus which is written in Delphi programming language[2]. The virus takes personal files hostage by encrypting them. After encrypting all files, the malicious program creates a message for the victim, which it calls ReadMe_XXX.txt. This ransom note can be noticed in every computer folder that stores at least one encrypted file. During the data encoding procedure, each target file gets marked with .xxx file extension. Once encrypted, files become useless, and naturally, the victim starts looking for a solution that would help him/her restore lost files. The ransom note we mentioned earlier contains a message from virus’ author, which suggests writing to serverrecovery@mail.ru to get instructions regarding data recovery.
Instead of providing a complex victim’s ID, the ransom contains a “computer number,” which the victim has to mention in the email to cyber criminals. We already know what happens next – cyber criminals are going to explain to you that they want money in exchange for a private key[3] that can be used for data restoration. That is nothing else but an attempt to extort you, and we suggest you refuse to pay the ransom. We believe that you should think of all alternative data recovery solutions, for example, data backup[4]. If you have it, all that is left to do is to remove Extractor virus. This task can be completed with the help of powerful malware remover such as FortectIntego.
Extractor ransomware acts silently, so it is nearly impossible to notice the moment it lands on the computer system. Unlike other software, it hardly slows down the computer, and even if it does, it lasts only a few seconds or minutes[5]. Computer users typically think that temporary PC slowdowns is a normal thing and sooner or later they end. Sadly, once this particular system slowdown caused by ransomware operations ends, you will be left with piles of encrypted and useless data. Such situations can be prevented with the help of proper security software, sadly, not many computer users feel the need to install it. However, if you didn’t have one and now your PC is under control of this ransomware, we highly recommend installing one for Extractor removal. Our experts dedicated some time and prepared a comprehensive tutorial on how to delete ransomware properly so that no dangerous files would remain on the system. You can find the tutorial below the article.
A closer look to ransomware distribution tricks
Ransomware distribution depends on skills that the virus’ developer has. In this case, all signs show that cybercrook who developed Extractor malware isn’t an experienced one. Therefore, our team assumes that this particular malware is distributed via spam, and maybe via software cracks. If you do not want to allow such virus to step into your computer system ever again, be very careful as you browse through your Inbox. Make sure you bypass Spam and Junk sections and never open emails sent by someone you don’t know. Scammers find it easy to present themselves however they want, so they can tell you that they work at Amazon, company that provides Internet connection or telecommunication services to you. It is important to inspect sender’s email before opening such emails and check if it matches with official company’s email address. If it doesn’t, you might want to call the company and ask if the email was sent by their employees. If not, delete such email ASAP. There’s nothing much to add about illegal software cracks – these are always full of dangerous files; besides, you can get a fine for attempts to acquire paid software for free. To block malicious attempts to contaminate your system with dangerous programs, use anti-malware software.
Eliminate Extractor ransomware in a few simple steps
You do not have to call a computer technician to remove Extractor virus for you if you read instructions we provided carefully. A full Extractor removal tutorial is given right below the article, and it explains how to reboot your computer to run the system without running ransomware processes, launch malware removal software with ease, and eliminate the virus successfully.
Getting rid of Extractor virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
To begin with, restart your computer using instructions provided below.
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 Extractor using System Restore
Try this method in case method 1 wasn’t helpful.
-
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 Extractor. After doing that, click Next.
-
Now click Yes to start system restore.
-
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 Extractor 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 Extractor, you can use several methods to restore them:
Restore valuable files with Windows Previous Versions
This guide can help you restore individual files. It works only if you decided to create a system restore point in the past.
- 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”.
Explore Volume Shadow Copies
Volume Shadow Copies, which are also known as Volume Snapshot Service or VSS, can be used to restore previous file versions. Sadly, most ransomware viruses delete them, although in certain circumstances they can fail to complete this operation. In such case, ShadowExplorer can come in handy as it detects VSS and uses them to recreate previous versions of files.
- 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.
Extractor decryptor is not available at the moment
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Extractor and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Herb Weisbaum. Ransomware: Now a Billion Dollar a Year Crime and Growing. NBC News. Cyber Security News: Internet Safety, Viruses, Scams.
- ^ Delphi (programming language). Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Public Key and Private Keys. Comodo. Cyber Security Solutions.
- ^ Ryan Harnedy. 3 Better Ways to Use Backup to Recover from Ransomware. Barkly Endpoint Security Blog. The Latest Endpoint Security News, Tips, and Actionable Insights.
- ^ Rick Correa. How Fast Does Ransomware Encrypt Files? Faster than You Think. Barkly Endpoint Security Blog. The Latest Endpoint Security News, Tips, and Actionable Insights.