RansomPlus ransomware virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
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 Reimage, and, if possible, recover files from backups.
Select 'Safe Mode with Networking'
Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Networking'
Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next'
Select your restore point and click 'Next'
Click 'Yes' and start system restore
Questions about RansomPlus ransomware virus
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.
To remove RansomPlus virus, follow these steps:
Remove RansomPlus using Safe Mode with Networking
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.
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Networking
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 Safe Mode with Networking 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 Networking in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Remove RansomPlus
Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete RansomPlus removal.
If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.
Remove RansomPlus 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.
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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 RansomPlus. 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 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.
About the author
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References
- ^ 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.