Rotor ransomware / virus (Free Instructions)
Rotor virus Removal Guide
What is Rotor ransomware virus?
Ransomware family has a new family member – Rotor virus
Rotor virus is a brand new ransomware virus that has been recently spotted spreading online. File-encrypting viruses are quite trendy right now. Hackers are inspired by famous and successful ransomware viruses that swindle huge amounts of money. In this case, Rotor ransomware does not differ from other viruses belonging to this category. The virus is designed to corrupt various types of files and make them useless by appending unique file extensions. After data encryption, virus appends !____GLOK9200@GMAIL.COM____.tar or !____cocoslim98@gmail.com____.tar file extensions. Indeed, these extensions are email addresses that victims need to contact cyber criminals in order to get more information about the possibility to get back access to their personal files. However, if your computer was infected with this malware, you don’t need to waste your time and contact crooks. We already know what they say. They ask to pay a huge ransom for the opportunity to decrypt your files. Instead of chatting and sending data to the criminals, remove Rotor from your PC. The easiest way to eliminate malware is to use FortectIntego or other strong anti-malware program.
Ransomware viruses usually change desktop background with a scary picture and drop various ransom notes on the desktop, or other folders were corrupted files are. However, Rotor virus keeps information related to file encryption and decryption as a secret until victims contact them. Hackers are not willing to chat via email as well. They briefly explain that victims need to pay 7 Bitcoins (that equals to 4400 USD) for encoding files. Indeed, the price is enormous, and we do not recommend paying it. However, criminals want to earn victims’ trust by offering them to decrypt one file for free: they have to send one file that is not bigger than 30 MB and crooks will send decrypted file soon. If Rotor damaged your files, you might want to get back at least one important file for free, but we don’t recommend playing with criminals. This activity might be dangerous and put your computer at even bigger risk. With an encoded file, you might get other malware as well. The size of the ransom is really huge compared to other ransomware viruses. Usually, victims are asked to pay from about 1 to 3 Bitcoins. We never advise paying any money for cyber criminals. According to various researchers, hackers tend to disappear after receiving the money. The main purpose of ransomware is to wheedle money from terrified computer users. If ransomware has infected your computer, you should worry about your computer’s state first. The virus not only corrupts your files but also might let other malware inside. Therefore, you have to initiate Rotor removal as soon as you see it’s dirty steps on your PC.
How can my computer get infected with ransomware?
One particular distribution technique of Rotor malware is still unknown. However, the authors of malware might be using the same strategies as other ransomware developers. Spam emails are the primary distribution technique, so you might receive the virus in your personal or work email. We always recommend double check information about the sender before opening any attachments. Ransomware might spread via safely-named Word or PDF files. Malware is also distributed via infected ads which might be placed not only on questionable and high-risk websites but also on reputable and official sites. Indeed, it might be difficult to understand which advertisement is safe and which one – dangerous. In this case, reliable antivirus programs help a lot. Moreover, Rotor ransomware might infiltrate your computer if you install software or updates from unknown and insecure sources. So, stay away from Torrents and various file-sharing services.
How to get rid of Rotor ransomware virus?
To remove Rotor from your computer, you have to reboot your PC into Safe Mode with Networking. Then, you have to employ powerful malware removal tool. Sometimes ransomware block access or particular features of the antivirus program. In this case, you should carefully follow our prepared instructions below and eliminate malware manually. When you complete the last Rotor removal step, scan your computer with an updated anti-malware program. For virus elimination and further protection we recommend FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
Getting rid of Rotor 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 Rotor 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 Rotor. 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 Rotor from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.Cyber criminals always want to convince victims that they can restore their files only if they make a payment. The creators of Rotor virus asks for more than 4 thousand dollars. No matter how valuable and important your files are, do not consider paying so much money! After virus elimination, you can restore your files from backup copies. If you do not have them, you can try additional methods described below.
To protect your computer from ransomware attacks in the future, we recommend installing reputable and strong anti-malware/anti-spyware program. Besides, you should make backup copies regularly, because creators of the ransomware will not give up soon. Make sure all your important files are protected!
If your files are encrypted by Rotor, you can use several methods to restore them:
Restore locked files with Data Recovery Pro
This tool was created for locating and restoring files after system wreckage. However, you can still try to use this tool to decrypt files locked by Rotor virus.
- 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 Rotor ransomware;
- Restore them.
Retrieve corrupted files using Windows Previous Version feature
If you have enabled System Restore function previously, you can use this method for retrieving individual files. Unfortunately, this method does not allow recover all encrypted files. Hopefully, you will be able to get back at least few of your files.
- 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”.
Restore data with ShadowExplorer
Usually, ransomware tends to delete Shadow Volume Copies as soon as they infiltrate computer’s system to prevent users from restoring their files. However, if Rotor virus failed to delete them, you can try to recover your files using this method.
- 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 Rotor 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.
If this free 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.