SOLO ransomware (Removal Guide) - Decryption Steps Included

SOLO virus Removal Guide

What is SOLO ransomware?

SOLO ransomware is a virus that demands ransom form German-speaking victims

SOLO ransomwareSOLO ransomware virus is a silent intruder that locks your files and demands ransom as a final stage of the attack. SOLO ransomware — cryptovirus designed to infiltrate computer systems and encrypt data using AES algorithm. Once the file encryption is done, virus adds .SOLO file extension and marks encoded files this way. After this quick encryption,[1] virus creates a ransom message which gets placed in a file IHRE_DATEIEN_SIND_VERSCHLUESSELT.html. The ransom note contains text written in German. However, it doesn't mean that your device can't be affected by SOLO ransomware if you live in other parts of the world. At the moment of writing, the ransom demanded by virus developers is equal to 0.2 BTC or $1279.60. However, proceeding with the payment could lead you to permanent data AND money loss, so focus on our virus removal first.

Name SOLO ransomware
Type Cryptovirus
Ransom amount 0.2 BTC
File extension .SOLO appendix
Encryption method AES
Ransom note IHRE_DATEIEN_SIND_VERSCHLUESSELT.html
Targets German-speaking users
Distribution Spam email attachments
Elimination Use your antivirus for SOLO ransomware removal and clean the system using FortectIntego

Like tons of other products from crypto-extortionists, SOLO ransomware locks various types of files. Anything from photos, videos, documents to even archives or databases can be locked by the cryptovirus which is using the AES encryption algorithm and .SOLO appendix to mark the affected data. Unfortunately, this is the final stage of the ransomware attack. Once the virus enters the system, it changes Windows registry entries, modifies various directories and adds new entry keys to make sure the threat is persistent.

SOLO ransomware virus places a ransom message and payment instructions on the HTML window named IHRE_DATEIEN_SIND_VERSCHLUESSELT.html. The ransom note is written in German language and translation to English reads the following:

All your files are encrypted.
Your computer has been infected by the SOLO program. Your files have been encrypted and cannot be decrypted by you.
Please do not try to decrypt your files yourself, in the worst case you will damage your files and thus make them ** undecryptable forever **
To decrypt your files, you need a special program to decrypt:
SOLO Decrypter, which immediately decrypts all your encrypted files, and also removes the SOLO software for encryption from your PC.
The price of decryption software is 0.2 Bitcoin (about $ 1,200).
You can easily buy Bitcoin at one of the many crypt markets with a credit card or bank transfer. Examples of services where you can buy bitcoin:
Bitpanda – Credit Card, Instant Bank Transfer, Giropay, Bank Transfer
BTC Direct – Credit Card, Instant Bank Transfer, Giropay, Bank Transfer
ANYcoin Direct – SOFORT Transfer, Giropay, Bank Transfer
Localbitcoins – a large number of payment options
Coinmama – credit card
You can find more options with a short Google search for “buying Bitcoins”.
After purchasing the required number of bitcoins (0.2 BTC), send them to the following bitcoin address: 151oCJ1espbmqya9Vj2xxjxi1APb8zhqYR
amount: 0.2 BTC
After we receive the full amount, the decryption software will automatically be provided to you for download (please do not make any changes to this file to ensure proper functionality).
Full amount not yet paid.
Download decryption program
Powered by AES.

SOLO ransomware may store related files on different system folders, and this fact makes virus elimination more difficult. After this threat is placed on the device and developers connected to servers, data gets added to folders:

  • %LocalLow%;
  • %Roaming%;
  • %AppData%;
  • %Local%;
  • %Temp%;
  • %Windows%.

These added files, registry changes, and other system changes on the system make SOLO ransomware removal more challenging. Also, manual virus termination, in this case, is not considered because it is difficult to find all associated data which is hidden all over the system.

You need to remove SOLO ransomware using your antivirus or another anti-malware program. Automatic method cleans the system thoroughly and eliminates possible threats from the device. However, use tools like FortectIntego for system repair and fixing possible virus damage.

Remember to delete SOLO ransomware first, as researchers[2] advise, and then focus on data recovery using your backups or specially designed software. Unfortunately, if you have no externally stored data the best solution for file restoring is data recovery software. We have a few suggestions down below.

SOLO ransomware virusSOLO ransomware is a cyber threat that locks your data for money extortion purposes.

Macro-filled file attachments distribute ransomware infections

Social engineering[3] campaigns distribute all kinds of malware around including ransomware. Malicious actors manipulate people into downloading infected files with direct payload or malware which is designed to spread other threats around.

Spam email attachments often look legitimate and safe because MS Word or Excel files are commonly used types of documents. However, attachments are filled with malicious macros what makes virus spreading and easy task. Such emails trick users into downloading the file on the device and the minute user opens the attachment malicious script loads on the system

Unfortunately, emails look safe because of subject lines that state about order information, job applications, financial information, official reports or records. Various company names get misused in these malicious activities, so people are more willing to open such emails and believe the legitimacy of attachment.

SOLO ransomware termination require your attention to details

When talking about SOLO ransomware removal you need to note that this is a dangerous threat and you need to employ reputable anti-malware tools to make sure the process is correct. We cannot stress enough how important is to choose software sources wisely, so make sure that anti-malware of your choice is trustworthy.

Do not forget to remove SOLO ransomware and all related files from the device before attempting file restoring. A full system scan indicates possible threats and removes them from the device. Also, use FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes after virus elimination to double-check for virus damage and additional intrusive programs.

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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 SOLO virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Remove SOLO ransomware from the system by rebooting the computer in Safe Mode with Networking and then scanning the system with AV:

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 SOLO using System Restore

Enable System Restore feature on the infected device to get rid of the cryptovirus:

  • 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 SOLO. 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 SOLO removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove SOLO 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 SOLO, you can use several methods to restore them:

Try Data Recovery Pro as an alternative to file restoring using backup

Data Recovery Pro is capable of restoring accidentally deleted or 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 SOLO ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions feature restores your data

You could use this data recovery method if you enabled System Restore before

  • 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”.

Try ShadowExplorer as a method for recovering data

You could use ShadowExplorer if SOLO ransomware left Shadow Volume Copies intact

  • 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.

Decryption is not possible

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from SOLO 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
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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References
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