How to remove Fisakalzb ransomware

Fisakalzb ransomware leaves users' personal files useless after using encryption algorithms

The Fisakalzb ransomware is a dangerous program that uses complicated encryption algorithms to lock users' personal files, like photos, videos, and documents. This variant specifically belongs to the Snatch ransomware family. The file-locking virus appends the .fisakalzb extension to every infected file, changes the icons to white pages, and encrypts them so they cannot be opened. If users don't have backups of their data, this infection could result in permanent data loss.

The ransom note

When Fisakalzb ransomware finishes encrypting users' files, it generates a ransom note HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT on the machine.

Hello!

All your files are encrypted!

Email me if you want to get your files back – I will do it very quickly!

The subject like must contain an encryption extension or the name of your company!

Do not rename encrypted files, you may lose them forever.

You may be a victim of fraud. Free decryption as a guarantee.

Send us up to 3 files for free decryption.

The total file size should be no more than 1MB! (not in the archive), and the files should not contain valuable information.

To contact us, we recommend that you create an email address at protonmail.com or tutanota.com

Because gmail and other public email programs can block our messages!

If you do not receive a response from us for a long time, check your spam folder.

=================================================

Customer service TOX ID:

Only emergency! Use if support is not responding

The ransom note explains to users what happened to their files. If they want to get their data back, they are required to contact cyber criminals. The ransom amount is not specified in the message, which means it is most likely negotiated privately.

Threat actors offer to decrypt up to 3 files for free to appear trustworthy. However, we strongly advise against contacting them.  Many previous ransomware attack victims say that they never received the promised decryption tools after paying. Although it is almost impossible to recover encrypted data if you do not have backups, it is too risky.

Distribution methods

The most common ways that people get infected with ransomware are by downloading software from Torrent websites or peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms. Some users think they can save money by looking for “cracked” software,^[1] but these platforms are unregulated and you never know if the packages contain malicious files.

Social engineering is a term for when criminals use manipulation tactics to dupe people. They might send an email that looks like it’s from a familiar company but includes an infected attachment or malicious link. If you open it, the infection launches and can cause damage. For this reason, only open attachments or click links in emails if you know the sender personally.

A critical, yet often overlooked tip is to ensure that your software and operating system are always updated. By neglecting updates, you're giving hackers the chance to exploit vulnerabilities^[2] in order to deliver malicious programs. To keep your system protected, install security patches as soon as they're released by software developers.

Use professional security tools

The first thing you need to do is disconnect the affected machine from the local network. If you're at home, simply unplugging the ethernet cable or disabling Wi-Fi should suffice. However, if this occurred on a work machine, it might be more complicated to fix, so scroll down for separate instructions tailored to that scenario.

You shouldn't try to recover your data yourself unless you're confident in your IT skills, as attempting to do so before removing the malware can result in permanent loss. Similarly, if the malware isn't eliminated first, it can encrypt your files again – and it won't stop until the malicious program causing it is removed.

Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, which will automatically scan your system for any related files or entries. In some cases, malware can prevent you from using antivirus software, so you need to access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing the 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 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find the Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click Restart.
10. Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Fix system damage

After a malware infection, you can expect decreased performance, increased instability, and general usability issues. In some cases, this will necessitate a complete Windows reinstallation. This is because malware can easily alter the Windows registry database- which controls bootup and other crucial functions- delete or corrupt DLL files, and damage system files beyond repair.

This is the issue that FortectIntego was created to address. This software can fix a lot of problems caused by Fisakalzb ransomware, including Blue screen errors,^[3] freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, and more. By using this maintenance tool, you can avoid having to reinstall Windows:

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• 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.

File recovery options

Anti-malware software cannot fix files that are already corrupted – their only purpose is to detect and then eliminate any suspicious processes in your system. The reality is, however, that restoration can occur only with a decryption key or software which exclusively cybercriminals have access to.

Without backup files, you may never see your data again. Data recovery software is an option, though we cannot guarantee that it will work. If you want to try it, follow these steps: copy the encrypted files and save them on a USB drive or another storage device. Remember to remove Fisakalzb ransomware before proceeding.

Before you begin, several pointers are essential while dealing with this situation:

• Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
• Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.

Install data recovery software

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