Howareyou ransomware (Virus Removal Instructions) - Recovery Instructions Included
Howareyou virus Removal Guide
What is 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.
| Name | Howareyou ransomware, .howareyou virus |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware |
| Ransom note | __read_me_.txt |
| Appended extension | All non-system files are appended with .howareyou extension |
| Additional info | In the ransom note, hackers claim that they stole some data prior to encrypting it |
| criminal contact details | dfkjhdkjsdjfgkjdsfhkjskdjfhkj@cock.li |
| malware termination | Howareyou ransomware removal should be trusted to professional anti-malware software |
| system tune-up | After the elimination of Howareyou ransomware virus is completed, use the FortectIntego tool to scan and automatically fix any damage this virus has caused to system files and settings |
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 SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. 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:
- Always keep your Operating System (OS) up to date with the latest updates
- Obtain, constantly update a powerful anti-malware software. Scan your device regularly with it
- Use system tune-up tools to check for registry irregulation
- Don't visit high-risk level, suspicious, phony websites
- Don't open emails from unknown senders, and never download any email attachments without scanning them with an anti-virus engine first
- Don't download anything from torrent sites
- Use only official websites to download the desired software
- 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 SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes 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.
Getting rid of Howareyou virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Rebooting the system in Safe Mode with Networking and remove Howareyou ransomware
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 Howareyou using System Restore
System Restore can perform removal of the ransomware when you use the feature to recover the machine in a previous state
-
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 Howareyou. 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 Howareyou from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If your files are encrypted by Howareyou, you can use several methods to restore them:
Try Data Recovery Pro for files encrypted by Howareyou ransomware
You can repair files affected by the virus using this program
- 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 Howareyou ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions – function helping with individual file recovery
System Restore should be enabled before you rely on Windows Previous Versions
- 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”.
ShadowExplorer – Windows OS function for affected data
You can possibly restore encoded files if your Shadow Volume Copies are left untouched
- 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.
Decryption tool is not released
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Howareyou and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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- ^ What is Data Leakage?. Forcepoint. Human-Centric Cybersecurity.
- ^ RSA (cryptosystem). Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Virusai. Virusai. Spyware and security news.