Onyx ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Instructions)
Onyx virus Removal Guide
What is Onyx ransomware virus?
Is Onyx ransomware dangerous?
Onyx ransomware is a computer threat that targets Georgian computer users. This virus is one of a few ransomware viruses that do not have the ambition to infect computers on a global scale. After spoiling user’s computer, it encrypts all data with an intention to make it inaccessible to the user. Since computers take an important role in everyone’s lives, such an act is tantamount to robbery. Losing files stored on the computer means losing weeks of work, memories, and so on. It goes without saying that this can cause frustration and panic. To make the victim even more nervous, ransomware changes desktop wallpaper with an image that says that the victim must pay 100 US dollars in order to recover lost files, but sadly, it seems that criminals forgot to insert the Bitcoin wallet address where the payment must be transferred. The new wallpaper features a face of a character No-Face from Spirited Away movie. Since there is no way to pay the ransom, there is also no need to keep this ransomware on the computer. To delete it from your PC, use FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner software. When you remove Onyx malware, you should start looking for your backup to restore part of lost files. If you do not have it, try data decryption methods that are presented below the article. Unfortunately, we cannot say that there is a 100% working method to recover your files.
How did your computer get infected with this ransomware?
Ransomware is distributed using stealthy methods; it can land on your computer when downloaded by a Trojan horse, or after opening a malicious email attachment. It can also be installed after adding bogus software updates or untrustworthy programs to the system. Such inconveniences can be prevented with a powerful anti-malware software. If your computer wasn’t protected with such software, now you have to deal with Onyx removal and cast around for data decryption methods.
To protect yourself from ransomware attacks, avoid visiting shady websites that invite you to fill out “partner surveys” install “recommended software” or do some other suspicious tasks in order to “access premium content” or “redeem a prize.” Such offers are vague and often deceptive. You should never provide personal information or agree to download certain software if a web page that you have visited aggressively urges you to do so. Of course, do not open shady emails that contain attachments and protect the system with a proper security software. For maximum protection, create data copies and export them to an external data storage device.
Best way to remove Onyx ransomware
This foolish ransomware might be yet another in-development ransomware, and shortly we might have to deal with a polished version of it. You should remove Onyx virus without any doubts because there is no hope to recover your files now. Malware researchers might manage to develop a decryption tool, so please be patient. Now you have to take care of this computer infection and initiate Onyx removal to continue using your computer. Use instructions that we have prepared to eliminate the virus from your computer.
Getting rid of Onyx virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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 Onyx 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 Onyx. 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 Onyx from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.Unfortunately, at the moment of writing this article there was no known Onyx decryption tools available to download. The article will be updated in case such tool appears in the market. You can try to use the tool recommended below to restore at least some of the lost data.
If your files are encrypted by Onyx, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro
Use Data Recovery Pro to restore encrypted files. Although this tool might not be able to decrypt all files, you can still give it a shot.
- 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 Onyx ransomware;
- Restore them.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Onyx and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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