Keep Calm ransomware / virus (Easy Removal Guide) - Recovery Instructions Included
Keep Calm virus Removal Guide
What is Keep Calm ransomware virus?
Keep Calm ransomware virus is real – unlocks your files, asks for $250
KeepCalm ransomware is a new computer virus that acts like a typical screen-locking ransomware. The virus is based on EDA2 malware[1], and during the encryption, it marks each affected file with .locked file extension. The ransomware then changes desktop wallpaper with an image called wall.jpg, which represents an ASCII image of skull and a few lines, saying:
KEEP CALM AND RECOVER YOUR FILES
Keep Calm virus then drops a ransom note called Instructions.rtf. It explains that the computer has been “hacked” and that files stored on it were encrypted. As usual, the ransom note provides the price of the decryption software needed for data recovery, or, in other words – a ransom. Cyber criminals want 0.1 BTC per one infected computer, approximately $250.
The note also contains statements urging the victim to pay the ransom within one week to “prevent them from being leaked.” The criminal also suggests writing to luisa91@you-spam.com and providing date of the transaction, PC’s name and also the email address to which the victim wants to receive the decryption key.
Surprisingly, the developers of the ransomware state that they “are business people and treat customers well” if they follow “what they ask.”
If your files were corrupted by this ransomware, we highly recommend that you do not pay the ransom. Considering that the ransomware is based on an open-source ransomware, malware analysts might find it easy to reverse the encryption process and create a free decryption tool. Therefore, to prepare your PC for further usage, we highly recommend you to remove Keep Calm virus using FortectIntego or another anti-malware software.
It is important not to mistake the described ransomware for KeepCalm virus, which is one of Globe Imposter viruses. This piece of malware adds .keepcalm file extensions and drops HOW_TO_BACK_FILES.html file (the ransom note). No matter which ransomware compromised your files, your aim is to complete Keep Calm removal as soon as possible.
Ways to get infected
Computer viruses can infect your computer in various ways. Usually, they travel via deceptive emails composed by cybercriminals. Such emails are designed to spark victim’s interest in the attached file that carries the malicious payload. It can be a ZIP, DOC, or JS file. Of course, the file format can differ.
It is highly advisable not to open email attachments or questionable links included in an email you received from a stranger. What is even more important is that you check the sender of the email – you must be sure that it is a trustworthy sender and not some fraud trying to impersonate an employee of some well-known company.
Cyber security experts believe that the virus won’t be distributed using more sophisticated malware distribution techniques used by ransomware professionals. It is highly unlikely that it will be distributed via exploit kits, malvertising[2], Trojans or other measures taken by developers of Cerber or CryptXXX ransomware.
However, if you want to protect your PC from all kinds of ransomware viruses, you should use several layers of protection such as anti-malware software, data backup and avoidance of suspicious Internet websites. For more security-related tips and tricks, visit NoVirus.uk site[3].
Remove Keep Calm ransomware without a wait
Unfortunately, you should not attempt to remove Keep Calm virus on your own. Even if you are an experienced computer user, you should rely on trustworthy anti-spyware or anti-malware tools to delete the malware properly.
Unsuccessful attempts to complete Keep Calm ransomware removal can result in various problems. For example, you might lose a chance to open your files ever again. Remember that attempts to decrypt encrypted files should be carried out only after removal of the virus, not before it.
Getting rid of Keep Calm virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
The sooner you remove Keep Calm malware from your computer, the better. This way, you will get an opportunity to use your computer again, and try available data recovery methods.
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 Keep Calm 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.
-
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.
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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 Keep Calm. 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 Keep Calm from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.To restore your files, you should use a data backup that you created at some point in the past. However, in case you forgot to do it, try one of the suggested data restoration alternatives.
If your files are encrypted by Keep Calm, you can use several methods to restore them:
Run Data Recovery Pro
Looking for a tool to decrypt those .locked file extension files? If so, you might be interested in trying Data Recovery Pro. Although this tool isn't created to restore files encrypted by ransomware, in some cases it helps to restore some files. Therefore, you can't lose anything by giving it a try.
- 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 Keep Calm ransomware;
- Restore them.
Restore using Volume Shadow Copies
Volume Shadow Copies can and should be used for data recovery, however, ransomware viruses tend to delete these copies after encrypting all data on the compromised computer. Luckily, even computer programs fail to complete certain tasks in certain circumstances. To find these copies and restore your files, use ShadowExplorer software.
- 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.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Keep Calm and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
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- ^ New Open Source Ransomware Based on Hidden Tear and EDA2 May Target Businesses. Trend Micro Blogs. TrendLabs Security Intelligence Blog.
- ^ Danny Palmer. This malvertising campaign infected PCs with ransomware without users even clicking a link. ZDNet. Technology News, Analysis, Comments and Product Reviews.
- ^ NoVirus. NoVirus. Information about Computer Viruses, Removal Guides.