Remove RansomPlus ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Instructions) - Decryption Steps Included
RansomPlus virus Removal Guide
What is RansomPlus ransomware virus?
What do we know about RansomPlus ransomware so far?
Every week we get to know new ransomware viruses[1], and this week starts with RansomPlus virus. This file-encrypting Trojan horse falls into ransomware category, as it wants to extort money from victims by making their personal files useless. As soon as the infection hits the computer system or the entire network, it converts all files into useless pieces of data by encrypting them. Encryption strength is currently unknown, and although we cannot promise, it is likely that a free decryption tool might be created by malware researchers soon. Until then, victims of RansomPlus ransomware are advised to remove RansomPlus malware using anti-malware tools such as ReimageIntego, and, if possible, recover files from backups.
When RansomPlus ransomware steps into the target system and encrypts files, it also adds .encrypted file extensions to all of them and finally leaves a ransom note on the desktop. It is a short text document called YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!!!.txt. The virus leaves the following message:
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!!!
To restore (decrypt) them you must:
1. Pay 0.25 bitcoin (btc) to address [deleted]
You can get BTC on this site http://localbitcoins.com
2. After payment you must send Bitcoin Transaction ID to E-mail: andresaha82@gmail.com
Then we will send you decryption tool.
This is a typical ransom message when criminals ask the victim to show the transaction ID to prove that the victim made the transaction and paid the ransom. As you can see, authors of this virus want victims to contact them via andresaha82@gmail.com email address. However, we must remind you that there is no point to trust cybercriminals. They can lie to you, promise you to give you a decryption tool even if they do not have it, or, in the worst case, send you a decryption tool along with some malicious programs such as Trojans[2] or spyware-type viruses. Therefore, a thorough RansomPlus removal is required in order to protect your computer from additional attacks. As you probably understood, we do NOT recommend you to pay the ransom!
How did I get infected with this ransomware?
Ransomware viruses are made to look trustworthy at first sight. For example, Locky virus[3] was probably the first one to use an obfuscation technique based on Microsoft Word. Authors of this infamous ransomware managed to insert malicious scripts into Word documents, which only needed to be activated via Macros to start carrying out malicious procedures on the target system. Nowadays, this ransomware distribution method is still one of the most efficient ones. Remember that scammers tend to deliver viruses via email, so we advise you to stay away from all shady-looking emails, and in case you receive an unexpected letter from Amazon or Paypal, do not rush to open it. It might be a phishing email[4], professionally designed by malevolent individuals. Have data backups and protect the system with anti-malware software for multi-layer protection[5].
How can I remove RansomPlus virus from my PC?
In case RansomPlus virus managed to encrypt all your files, and you do not have a backup, then you have two choices – pay the ransom and expect criminals to have mercy, or remove RansomPlus ransomware and start recreating your files from the very beginning. Although the second option sounds like a much more painful choice, at least you won’t risk losing your money. Besides, you can try these data recovery methods provided right below RansomPlus removal instructions. These instructions are meant to help you to deactivate the virus and successfully run the anti-malware program.
Getting rid of RansomPlus virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If you cannot start your antivirus or anti-malware software without no reason, RansomPlus virus might be trying to block it. In such case, you must carry out these instructions.
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 RansomPlus using System Restore
-
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 RansomPlus. 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 RansomPlus 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 RansomPlus, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro
If you do not have backups, we highly recommend using Data Recovery Pro. This advantageous tool is extremely helpful when it comes to dealing with lost/corrupted/encrypted files.
- 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 RansomPlus ransomware;
- Restore them.
ShadowExplorer
Some viruses fail to eliminate Volume Shadow Copies from the system, which means the victim can use them to restore encrypted files. ShadowExplorer can easily find these copies and restore entire folders using them. Just carry out these instructions.
- 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 RansomPlus and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
If this free removal guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Michael Mimoso. Sage and Satan Ransomware, Double Trouble. Threatpost. The first stop for security news.
- ^ Crimeware: Trojans . Norton Blog. A blog about computer security.
- ^ Locky Sends You an Invoice and Makes You Pay. Security Intelligence. Analysis and Insight for Information Security Professionals.
- ^ How to recognize phishing email messages, links, or phone calls. Microsoft Safety .
- ^ 22 Ransomware Prevention Tips. Tripwire. IT Compliance and Advanced Threat Protection.