SnakeEye ransomware / virus (Free Instructions) - Virus Removal Instructions

SnakeEye virus Removal Guide

What is SnakeEye ransomware virus?

SnakeEye ransomware is a virus developed by inexperienced hackers

SnakeEye virus is a file-encrypting program that belongs to ransomware[1] category. The main executable of this ransomware is called SATAN ENCRYPTED YOU.exe, and once run, it encrypts all files on a computer system, bypassing those stored in system folders to keep the computer running. The virus, which is developed by programmers who call themselves “SNAKE EYE SQUAD,” targets files with certain file extensions, for example, .pdf, .doc, .docm, rar, .mp3, .mp4, .avi, .wmv, .xls, and others. It changes these files on a structural level using a cryptographic cipher, and once modified, files can only be reversed to their initial state using a decryption key[2], which criminals remove from the computer and transfer to their servers. They seek to scare the victim and force him/her to pay a ransom – buy the decryption key from them. However, statistics show that even 20 percent of all victims who decide to pay ransom never receive the decryption key[3] and files remain locked forever. Therefore, we believe that you should never pay a ransom in case your files get encrypted by a ransomware type virus. SnakeEye ransomware virusFirst versions of SnakeEye ransomware were detected and uploaded to VirusTotal service for analysis on 2017-04-17.

However, Snake Eye ransomware seems to be poorly programmed, and malware experts quickly invented an antidote to it. According to research, the virus is built using pieces of open-source ransomware codes[4] available online, and the whole virus operation isn’t obfuscated, so it was quite easy to create a free decryption tool. Researchers even titled the decrypter StupidDecrypter.exe since the virus is developed by script kiddies. Before using the decrypter, please remove SnakeEye from the system using trustworthy malware removers such as FortectIntego. If you think that you can delete the virus just like you uninstall any other typical computer program, you are wrong. Trying to uninstall the ransomware manually can lead to sad consequences, so we highly recommend you to leave SnakeEye removal task for an automatic virus removal software.

How did the ransomware reach my computer to encrypt all files on it?

Malicious programs known as ransomware are usually distributed via spam, malvertising[5], pirated software packs, torrent files, and exploit kits. There are many ways how they can infect your computer, so it is essential to know each of them and prepare your computer to survive these attacks. SnakeEye malware is usually proliferated via spam because it is the easiest technique to distribute it and of course it doesn’t demand high computing skills. If you were infected with this virus, most likely you recently opened a malicious email attachment or a link inserted in the message. Remember that ransomware distributors create convincing messages and add files that look like invoices, tax payments, subpoenas, resumes, and so on. Scammers might try to convince you to open a malicious link or attachment saying that they work at Amazon, Paypal, well-known telecommunication company or elsewhere, so inspect sender’s email address before opening it. To protect your PC from malvertising and exploit-kit based attacks, avoid clicking on random ads while browsing the Internet, do not visit shady websites and keep your anti-malware software up-to-date.

Easy way to remove SnakeEye ransomware from computer and decrypt your files

You can remove SnakeEye virus without having to call a computer technician for help if you read enough information on the Internet. Here, we will explain how to remove the ransomware using anti-malware software, because it is the easiest and fastest way to eliminate a computer virus. However, removing a ransom-demanding virus can be quite a challenge, so we suggest you reboot your PC into a Safe Mode with Networking first. Once you do that, run an anti-malware software for successful SnakeEye removal. After removing the malware, download and run the Snake Eye decryption tool (you will find the download link in data recovery instructions below).

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of SnakeEye virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Follow the steps given below extremely carefully. Your computer needs to boot in Safe Mode with Networking to temporarily “disable” the virus activity so that you could remove it.

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
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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 SnakeEye using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of SnakeEye. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that SnakeEye removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove SnakeEye from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

Follow instructions given below to restore your files.

If your files are encrypted by SnakeEye, you can use several methods to restore them:

Get ShadowExplorer to restore your files

If the decryption tool provided in the next step doesn’t restore your files, you can try using ShadowExplorer. It will find Volume Shadow Copies and restore your files using them.

  • 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.

Use SnakeEye decrypter

Download this decrypter by malware analyst Michael Gillespie: StupidDecrypter (decryption tool for SnakeEye ransomware). Unzip the archived .exe file and run it.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from SnakeEye 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.

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

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