GMBN ransomware (Virus Removal Instructions) - Tutorial
GMBN virus Removal Guide
What is GMBN ransomware?
GMBN ransomware – malware which is related to Matrix and is using .GMBN extension
GMBN ransomware, also known as .GMBN files virus, is a file-encrypting malware which belongs to the Matrix ransomware family. After appearing on the system silently, the virus performs its malicious activities: drops its rogue content, encrypts data and changes the desktop cover to its ransom note. The virus typically installs its files and registries[1] to start working right after the system is rebooted. After that, it encrypts all data that is found on the infected device and locks the files by adding the .GMBN extension. Later on, the virus starts showing a particular message which demands ransom in exchange for data decryption. Even though there are no particular details about the ransom price yet, crooks are very likely to demand BTC.[2] Once the money is transferred, there still is a big chance that no decryption tool will be received, so make sure you don't pay anything.
| Name | GMBN |
|---|---|
| Category | Ransomware |
| Related to | Matrix ransomware |
| Appendix added | .GMBN |
| Price type | Bitcoin is urged to unlock files |
| Distribution ways | Email spam, rogue sites, and infected links |
| Prevention tips | Do not open any suspicious-looking messages, stay away from rogue content that you might find on the Internet |
| Elimination | Use FortectIntego software to detect all malicious content |
Once files are locked by GMBN ransomware, they cannot be accessed properly anymore. For example, if your car.docx was found car.docx.GMBN, that means the infection has approached your computer and documents. However, do not rush to pay the cybercriminals as you might face unexpected money losses and still not be able to recover your important files.
If the ransomware virus has invaded your system, you need to get rid of the malicious program ASAP! You should remove GMBN virus with the help of automatical tools only. Also, find all suspicious-looking components such as malicious registries and executables by using a reputable program such as FortectIntego or any other similar tool if you are likely to.
All misleading content needs to be eliminated permanently, otherwise, the GMBN ransomware removal will not be successful and the infection will still remain in the system. After the process, scroll down this article and take a look at some data recovery solutions offered for you. If you perform each step exactly as shown in the instructions, you might be able to restore some of your files back to their starter positions. You can also use your backups saved in locations that haven't been affected by the virus.
For some further information, you need to be very careful with all of your important documents and files. In order to avoid permanent losses or possible damage, you should keep all the valuable data on some type of remote servers or devices where nobody will be able to access it. This way you will prevent infections such as ransomware-related ones from reaching valuable information and corrupting it.
Ransomware viruses spread via phishing content
According to computer researchers from Virusai.lt,[3] ransomware-related content can easily enter the computer system via infected payload that comes attached to an email message. Do not open any letters that look questionable to you, especially those you were not expecting or those which fell in the spam sections as the risk of infection in this situation is very high.
Additionally, unsafe websites are a great distribution source for ransomware infections also. Stay away from all pages that look questionable to you. If you ever enter an odd website, make sure that you close the page as soon as possible. Furthermore, use antivirus protection to keep your computer safe from possible sneaky infections that might occur.
Remember to always update your program and download software, applications, movies, and other kinds of things from the Internet only by using reliable downloading sources. For example, P2P websites[4] such as Torrents or The Pirate Bay cannot be trusted as they are considered to be third-party networks which means there is a big chance that these sites came improperly disclosed.
Perform the elimination of .GMBN files virus and then recover your files
If you are keen on removing the ransomware virus, you should choose antimalware tools for this purpose only. However, you need to find all ransomware-related components in the infected computer system first. For this, we suggest using FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes. After the detection is finished, remove GMBN virus permanently and make sure that all malicious activities are disabled.
Performing the GMBN ransomware elimination requires lots of experience, that is why we suggest completing the process only with reliable computer software – to avoid mistakes. Once you are done with the removal, you can scroll down this text and check out our data recovery solutions. They might not recover all of your files, but it is definitely a better variant than paying money to the crooks.
Getting rid of GMBN virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Use Safe Mode with Networking to deactivate the malicious infection:
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 GMBN using System Restore
Stop all virus-related activities by turning on System Restore:
-
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 GMBN. 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 GMBN from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.Spotting files and documents with the .GMBN extension means that GMBN ransomware has occupied your computer system. If you want to recover your files, better not pay the crooks as you risk getting scammed. Rather than that, try our below-provided data recovery steps.
If your files are encrypted by GMBN, you can use several methods to restore them:
The Data Recovery Pro tool might be helpful with file restoring purposes:
Try this method if your files were encrypted by GMBN cyber threat.
- 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 GMBN ransomware;
- Restore them.
Try using Windows Previous Versions feature for your files:
This tool might let you restore some of your lost data.
- 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”.
Using Shadow Explorer tool for your documents might help:
Give this method a try if the virus did not eliminate Shadow Copies.
- 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.
No GMBN decryptor is available yet.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from GMBN 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.
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- ^ Tim Fisher. What Is a Registry Key?. Lifewire.com. News site.
- ^ What is Bitcoin? The Most Comprehensive Guide Ever!. Block Geeks. Guides.
- ^ Virusai.lt. Virusai. Spyware news site and important info.
- ^ Peer-To-Peer Network (P2P Network. Techopedia. Tech terms and definitions.