GPCode ransomware virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Important details about GPCode ransomware virus
Questions about GPCode ransomware virus
GPC virus is also known as .LOL! or .OMG! Ransomware. However, victims rarely laugh out loud after ransomware attack; however, they may ask help from a God. This ransomware virus infiltrates the system silently and starts encrypting important files located on the affected computer. It uses RSA1024 and AES ciphers and appends either .LOL! or .OMG! file extension to make records inaccessible. Then GPCode ransomware drops a long ransom note where victims can learn what have happened to their data and possibilities to restore their work files, holiday memories, music collection and other damaged files. There’s no surprise that creators of the ransomware demand a particular amount of money. However, we do not recommend paying the ransom, because you may end up with money loss. No one can guarantee that hackers will provide a necessary decryption tool or key. It’s better to remove GPCode from the system and recover lost files from data backups or using alternative data recovery methods.
Hello, boys and girls! Welcome to our high school “GPCODE”!
The following saying is the first line of the ransom note. The how to get data.txt file opens up in the Notepad automatically and explains about the attack. Hackers state that the victim has to read the ransom-demanding message only because he or she “has missed a lesson about safety” and now the computer is hacked. Cyber criminals explain that GPCode virus consists of two programs – cryptor.exe, which the victim already has on the system, and the decryptor.exe, which can unlock encoded data if victims have a necessary decryption tool. To get the right decryption tool, victims are asked to write to gpcode@gp2mail.com and also attach the “how to get data.txt” file along with one or two encrypted files that weight less than 5 Mb. The reason why scammers ask for the ransom note is that it contains the victim’s ID. Criminals say that they are not scammers and that they don’t need victim’s files – they just want to “teach computer users a lesson.” What is more, criminals provide several links leading to security-related sites, saying that the victim can find “feedback from previous students” there. We believe that scammers are talking about online forums where victims share their experience about ransomware attacks. However, that is not the reason to pay scammers – they have no moral and might intentionally do not provide the decryption key even if you pay up. Therefore, we strongly recommend initiating GPCode removal immediately malware removal tools like Reimage or Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner and then create a data backup to experiment with various decryption tools.
How is it possible to get infected with ransomware?
An interesting fact is, in the majority of cases ransomware needs to be installed manually. Only in rare cases scammers manage to infect ad networks or use exploit kits to contaminate victim’s computer without user’s intervention. Most of the time, such viruses as GPCode ransomware, are distributed via malicious emails in a form of attachments that seem legitimate at first sight. For example, be careful and do not open suspicious emails that supposedly bring you documents that you were not supposed to get at all. Be it an invoice, speeding ticket or a resume, do not open it. In general, stay away from emails that come from unknown senders. Also, pay great attention to sender’s email address. Even if the sender claims he’s working at Amazon or other legitimate company, you should realize that johnsmith965856@protonmail.ru is not an appropriate email address for an official employee of some legitimate and well-known company and such email should be deleted. If your system has been contaminated with GPCode.ak virus, better remove it as soon as you can.
Guidelines for GPCode ransomware removal
To remove GPCode virus from the system, you have to use a strong and professional malware removal tools such as Reimage or Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner. Keep in mind that antivirus or anti-malware programs do not recover corrupted files. They are not designed for this task; however, it is crucial to remove malware before recovering lost files. If you have data backups, you will have no problems with data recovery. Plug in the backup device into the computer and then just simply import intact files to the computer by dragging and dropping them to a certain folder. Please do not plug the storage device into the compromised system before you complete GPCode removal because the virus can encrypt files on external devices connected to the computer with ease.
To remove GPCode virus, follow these steps:
Remove GPCode using 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.
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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 GPCode
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 GPCode removal.
If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.
Remove GPCode using System Restore
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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.
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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.
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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 GPCode. 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 GPCode from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.Sadly, there’s no free data decryption tool that will restore files encrypted by GPCode virus. However, if you have data backups, you should not worry about data recovery. After virus elimination, you can retrieve your files from backups. However, if you do not have them, check additional data recovery options presented below.
If your files are encrypted by GPCode, you can use several methods to restore them:
Give Data Recovery Pro a try
It is a professional tool that helps to restore lost, corrupted or even encrypted files. Data Recovery Pro is capable of restoring a wide range of files. Maybe it won’t help you to restore all data, but hopefully, it will recover the most important 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 GPCode ransomware;
- Restore them.
Restore individual files using Windows Previous Versions feature
If you have enabled System Restore function before ransomware attack, you may try to restore INDIVIDUAL files using Windows Previous Versions feature. Keep in mind that using this method will not recover all your files, but individual ones only.
- 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”.
Recover your files using ShadowExplorer
If GPCode ransomware has not deleted Volume Shadow Copies, you can try to restore your files using ShadowExplorer. Follow the steps below:
- 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.
Other virus-fighting utilities
Sadly, there are no tools created particularly for this virus. However, we believe that you should try these virus-fighting utilities to restore your encrypted files.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from GPCode and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner or Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes
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