How to remove Hairysquid ransomware

Hairysquid is a dangerous computer virus that locks users' personal files in Windows

Hairysquid ransomware is a file-locking virus that infects computers and encrypts users' personal files, such as photos, videos, and documents. It is a Mimic ransomware variant. The affected files are prefixed with the. Hairysquid extension. So if a file was previously named picture.jpg, after the encryption process is done, it looks like this – picture.jpg.Hairysquid.

The icons also change, preventing users from viewing the content even in preview mode. When users attempt to open the damaged files, a message appears stating that Windows is unable to open the file. Such an infection can be extremely damaging and result in permanent data loss, which is why it is critical to always keep backups.

The ransom note

Hairysquid ransomware drops a ransom note named READ_ME_DECRYPTION_HAIRYSQUID.txt on the machine:

Hi!
All your files have been encrypted with Our virus.
Your unique ID: –

You can buy fully decryption of your files
But before you pay, you can make sure that we can really decrypt any of your files.
The encryption key and ID are unique to your computer, so you are guaranteed to be able to return your files.

To do this:
1) Send your unique id – and max 3 files for test decryption
OUR CONTACTS
1.1)TOX messenger (fast and anonimous)
hxxps://tox.chat/download.html
Install qtox
press sing up
create your own name
Press plus
Put there my tox ID
95CC6600931403C55E64134375095128F18EDA09B4A74B9F1906C1A4124FE82E4428D42A6C65
And add me/write message
1.2)ICQ Messenger
ICQ live chat which works 24/7 – @Hairysquid
Install ICQ software on your PC here hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your smartphone search for “ICQ” in Appstore / Google market
Write to our ICQ @Hairysquid hxxps://icq.im/Hairysquid
1.3)Skype
Hairysquid Decryption
1.4)Mail (write only in critical situations bcs your email may not be delivered or get in spam)
* Hairysquid@onionmail.org

In subject line please write your decryption ID: –

2) After decryption, we will send you the decrypted files and a unique bitcoin wallet for payment.
3) After payment ransom for Bitcoin, we will send you a decryption program and instructions. If we can decrypt your files, we have no reason to deceive you after payment.

FAQ:
Can I get a discount?
No. The ransom amount is calculated based on the number of encrypted office files and discounts are not provided. All such messages will be automatically ignored. If you really only want some of the files, zip them and upload them somewhere. We will decode them for free as proof.
What is Bitcoin?
read bitcoin.org
Where to buy bitcoins?
hxxps://www.alfa.cash/buy-crypto-with-credit-card (fastest way)
buy.coingate.com
hxxps://bitcoin.org/en/buy
hxxps://buy.moonpay.io
binance.com
or use google.com to find information where to buy it
Where is the guarantee that I will receive my files back?
The very fact that we can decrypt your random files is a guarantee. It makes no sense for us to deceive you.
How quickly will I receive the key and decryption program after payment?
As a rule, during 15 min
How does the decryption program work?
It's simple. You need to run our software. The program will automatically decrypt all encrypted files on your HDD.

The note includes instructions on how to contact the hackers and pay the ransom. However, victims should not pay the ransom because there is no guarantee that even after payment, the hackers will provide the decryption key.^[1] Furthermore, paying the ransom encourages the hackers to continue their illegal activities and may expose the victim to future attacks. The victim should notify law enforcement of the attack instead.

Infiltration methods

Most ransomware is spread via an executable file (.exe) that may have been in a zip folder, embedded within the macros of a Microsoft Office document, or disguised as a fax or other viable attachment. This is usually due to user error and a lack of awareness of security risks.

Many people enjoy using unsafe download sites and installing “cracked” software.^[2] Torrent sites, peer-to-peer file-sharing networks,^[3] and freeware platforms are ideal breeding grounds for all types of malware. It is impossible to know whether the program you are installing is safe when using these sites. Use official web stores and developer websites whenever possible. Even though it may be costly, keeping your system running smoothly may save you money in the long run.

Social engineering is also used by cybercriminals to spread malicious programs. They frequently disguise malware as a legitimate and “useful” program. Crooks can also create emails that appear to be urgent messages from well-known companies. Typically, they will include a malicious link or an infected attachment that, when opened, will launch the infection.

Another common way for users to become infected with ransomware is by failing to install the most recent security patches for their operating system and software. Threat actors can use software flaws to deliver malicious programs. To avoid this, software developers release updates on a regular basis.

Start the removal process

The most critical step is to disconnect the affected machine from the local network. Disconnecting the ethernet cable should suffice for home users. If this occurred at your workplace, doing so may be difficult; therefore, we have instructions for corporate environments at the bottom of this post.

Attempting to recover your data first may result in permanent loss. It also has the ability to encrypt your files a second time. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files that are causing it. Unless you have prior experience, you should not attempt to remove the malicious program yourself.

Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your system. This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. In some cases, malware is not letting you use antivirus in normal mode, so you need to access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. 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.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on 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 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.

Repair a damaged operating system

Malware infections can have serious consequences on the performance, stability, and usability of a computer system. Once a computer is infected, it can alter the Windows registry database, damage critical bootup and other system files, delete or corrupt important DLL files, and cause a host of other issues. These infections can be particularly frustrating as they can make the computer nearly unusable and often require a complete Windows reinstall to fix.

Antivirus software is often unable to repair the damage caused by malware infections, leaving the user with few options for restoring their computer to a usable state. However, FortectIntego was developed to address this issue. This maintenance tool is designed to fix many of the problems caused by malware infections, including Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, and damaged DLLs.

It is a powerful tool that can help users avoid the need for a Windows reinstallation by repairing damaged system files and restoring the system to a usable state. By using it, users can avoid the time-consuming and often frustrating process of reinstalling Windows, saving them time and money while also ensuring that their computer is running at peak performance.

Try recovering data with third-party software

Only hackers have the decryption key that can unlock your files, so if you did not back them up beforehand, you may have lost them forever. You can try using data recovery software, but it is not always possible for third-party programs to decrypt the files. We recommend that you at least try this method. Before proceeding, you must copy the corrupted files to a USB flash drive or another storage device. Remember, you should only do this if you've already removed the Hairysquid ransomware.

Before you begin, several pointers are important 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.