How to remove Howareyou ransomware

Howareyou ransomware – cryptocurrency-focused virus that steals some data before encrypting it

Howareyou ransomware is a file-locking parasite that prior to encrypting victims' files, downloads some of the data first to a private server of the cybercriminals. This feature of the ransomware isn't new. A similar cryptovirus was just used to attack Campari Group servers. When the virus has finishes stealing some of the victims' files, it encrypts and renames them appending a .howareyou extension. That way all non-system data is rendered inaccessible.

Afterward, a ransom note – __read_me_.txt is generated in all affected folders. The developers of howareyou virus explain to the victims what has happened. They warn that any attempt to rename, modify, or unlock the files with third-party tools will lead to permanent data loss. An email address (dfkjhdkjsdjfgkjdsfhkjskdjfhkj@cock.li) is given to establish contact by sending them 2 random encrypted files, thus reassuring the users that the promised decryption tool exists. Each victim is provided with his/her unique ID, sarcastically called ClientID.

Just like the developers of the FUSION virus, the creators of .howareyou ransomware also threaten to leak^[1] the stolen data if an agreement isn't reached. You should react to the infection as soon as possible and remove the threat properly.

Data encrypted using AES or RSA^[2]  coding algorithms is almost impossible to decode unless you have the encryption code. In this case, if a public decryption tool isn't created, only the developers of Howareyou virus have the ability to unlock your files.

That being said, we highly advise against contacting the cybercriminals. Instead, you should concentrate on Howareyou ransomware removal and system health checkup because more damage to the infected computer could be done if the virus stays in the device.

To remove Howareyou ransomware, users should use reliable anti-virus software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. Any of these applications will find the howareyou virus instantly, isolate it with all its spread out files, and delete them.

Experts^[3] advise using the FortectIntego tool after .howareyou ransomware removal to automatically detect any altercations made to system files or its settings and restore them to normal, pre-contamination phase.

Creators of .howareyou virus send this message to their victims:

Your files have been encrypted and copied to our private servers!
ANY ATTEMPT TO RESTORE YOUR FILES WITH THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE WILL PERMANENTLY CORRUPT IT.
DO NOT MODIFY ENCRYPTED FILES.
DO NOT RENAME ENCRYPTED FILES.
But keep calm! There is a solution for your problem!
For some money reward we can decrypt all your encrypted files.
Also we will delete all your private data from our servers.
To prove that we are able to decrypt your files we give you the ability to decrypt 2 files for free.
So what is you next step ? Contact us for price and get the decryption software.
Our Mail: dfkjhdkjsdjfgkjdsfhkjskdjfhkj@cock.li
Your ClientId: –
We would share your SENSITIVE DATA in case you refuse to pay.

Dodging Howareyou malware while browsing

Cybercriminals have various malware options at their disposal to infect someone's device and numerous techniques for doing it. But we're here to help avoid any infections like Howareyou file virus. Using our suggestions might save you from a massive headache:

1. Always keep your Operating System (OS) up to date with the latest updates
2. Obtain, constantly update a powerful anti-malware software. Scan your device regularly with it
3. Use system tune-up tools to check for registry irregulation
4. Don't visit high-risk level, suspicious, phony websites
5. Don't open emails from unknown senders, and never download any email attachments without scanning them with an anti-virus engine first
6. Don't download anything from torrent sites
7. Use only official websites to download the desired software
8. Don't use illegal activation toolkits, more popularly known as cracks

Remove Howareyou file virus with programs designed for this

As mentioned in the first part of this article, users should concentrate on removing the Howareyou ransomware virus from their devices instead of paying the ransom or contacting the cybercriminals. Manually removing a cryptovirus from a computer could be a tall task even for highly-experienced users, so we advise leaving this to the professionals.

To remove Howareyou ransomware use SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes security or any other anti-malware applications. These are trustworthy and will do the task automatically by finding all the infection files and possibly related programs or intruders.

Howareyou ransomware removal won't decrypt your files. But before you use your backups to restore your data, we highly recommend using the FortectIntego system tune-up software to check for any system irregularities the malware might have caused.