Fuacked ransomware / virus (Decryption Steps Included) - Virus Removal Instructions
Fuacked virus Removal Guide
What is Fuacked ransomware virus?
Fuacked ransomware threatens to encrypt various files
Fuacked is a recently discovered ransomware[1] virus that aims at the most popular file types. Following data encryption, it loads a program window called “WAHHH!!!” where authors tell about encrypted in an inappropriate language.
The Fuacked virus might enter the system using multiple methods. However, users are most likely to be tricked by advanced social engineering techniques and click on the malicious email attachment. Then malware executable is dropped on the system.
Once executed, malware starts system modifications. Before starting data encryption, Fuacked might alter Windows Registry in order to run at system startup. It might create, delete or install various malicious files or programs too. Then it starts scanning the system looking for the targeted file extensions.
Ransomware is still under investigation. However, it is expected to aim at the most popular and widely used file types, including:
- MS Office;
- Open Office;
- image;
- audio;
- video;
- text files;
- databases;
- archives;
- etc.
Corruption of these files helps hackers to achieve their goal easier. In order to get back access to the valuable data, people might need to pay the ransom. Currently, it’s unknown how much money Fuacked asks to pay. However, the size doesn’t matter.
Keep in mind that you are dealing with evil-minded people who decided to create a dangerous program to swindle the money from regular computer users. Thus, you cannot trust hacker’s promises to exchange decryption software to few hundreds of dollars.
Fuacked removal should be the first task after ransomware attack. No matter how important your files are, you should take care of computer’s state first. This cyber threat is capable of damaging the system. Thus, you won’t be able to use your PC normally. Not only it might freeze, and some programs might crash, but also the infected machine might be easily accessible to spyware[2] and similar parasites.
Therefore, you should remove Fuacked as soon as you notice the signs of the ransomware. The only safe way to get rid of the virus is to use professional malware removal software. We recommend dedicating this task for FortectIntego. Our colleagues from Bulgaria[3] claim that it’s one of the most powerful tools for malware elimination.
Authors of the Fuacked ransomware virus use inappropriate language to inform victims about encrypted files.
Authors of the ransomware use multiple methods to infiltrate devices
The virus might enter the system using one of the traditional methods. Authors of the ransomware usually rely on these distribution methods:
- malicious spam emails and their attachments;
- exploit kits;
- fake software downloads and updates;
- malvertising.
The biggest chances to encounter Fuacked ransomware infections is to click on malicious email attachment or link. The dangerous emails usually look like sent from the official organization and company that informs about some serious issue. Usually, crooks express the urge to open the provided document or visit a particular website to get more information.
Before opening such document or link, you should look twice at the email. Make sure that senders email address does not look suspicious, search for grammar or spelling mistakes, check credentials and similar information that might identify criminals.
When installing updates or new programs, you should also make sure that you are doing it right. Various free file-sharing websites and eye-catchy ads often offer to download applications or alert about a necessity to update software. However, you should also download them from the developer's site or another reliable source.
Elimination steps of the Fuacked virus
For Fuacked removal, you will need to employ professional security software. If you do not have your preferred tool, we suggest choosing FortectIntego, Malwarebytes or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner. These reliable programs are capable of detecting and eliminating this recently emerged threat.
However, you may need to reboot the computer to the Safe Mode with Networking first. This helps to disable the virus and install or access security tool. Using updated program, you have to run a full system scan.
Once you remove Fuacked, you can recover your files from backups. If you do not have them, this cyber attack should be the lesson that backups are crucial nowadays! In this scenario, we suggest trying alternative recovery options presented below.
Getting rid of Fuacked virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Restarting the computer to Safe Mode with Networking helps to disable the virus and run automatic removal.
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 Fuacked using System Restore
It's the second method to disable the Fuacked virus. It might be necessary if you cannot install, update or run malware removal software.
-
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 Fuacked. After doing that, click Next.
- Now click Yes to start system restore.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Fuacked from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If ransomware has affected your files, you can recover them from backups after malware elimination. We have also provided three alternative recovery methods for those who do not backup their files regularly.
If your files are encrypted by Fuacked, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro – irreplaceable tool that helps to restore files
This professional software has been originally created for restoring corrupted or accidentally deleted files. However, it was updated and now can help victims of the ransomware as well. However, you should not forget that it's not an actual decryptor for Fuacked. Thus, it might not recover all encrypted files.
- 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 Fuacked ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions feature is helpful in data recovery
If System Restore method has been enabled before ransomware attack, you can restore the most important files by following these steps:
- 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”.
Use ShadowExplorer for restoring encrypted files
ShadowExplorer takes advantage of Shadow Volume Copies that are stored on the affected computer. Malware is not expected to delete them. Thus, this tool should help you:
- 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.
Fuacked Decryptor is not available yet.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Fuacked and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.