How to remove Triclyde ransomware

Triclyde ransomware encrypts users' files and makes them impossible to view or use

Triclyde ransomware is a data-locking malware that belongs to the Nominatus ransomware family. It infiltrates the machine and makes people's files unusable. It uses complicated encryption^[1] algorithms to lock users' personal files, like photos, videos, and documents. The main purpose of ransomware attacks is financial gain.

When the encryption process is done, unlike many other ransomware variants, this one does not append the files with its own extension, nor does it change the icons to white pages. Shortly after, a ransom note in a pop-up window appears on the screen. It contains all the information about what victims should do next.

The ransom note

The full pop-up ransom note from Triclyde ransomware developers reads as follows:

Triclyde

Nominatus Ransomware Family
2020-2022

——————————-
All files has been Encrypted by Triclyde!
Contact the Creator of this virus Nominatus#9251 for more information
his old account (Nominatus#1297) has been disabled..
don't restart because we changed your account's password!
live or die? make your choice now!

The pop-up message informs victims that their files have been encrypted. It then instructs people to contact the threat actor responsible for the attack. It is mentioned that his previous account has been disabled and victims need to contact a newer one. However, it is not specified which platform the cybercriminal uses. Based on the previous variants of Nominatus, it is most likely Discord.

We strongly advise against contacting the threat actors. Even though decryption is rarely successful without the attackers' involvement, it is not worth it to take the risk. Many previous ransomware victims say that they did not receive the decryption key or software after paying the money.

Besides, most often hackers choose cryptocurrencies^[2] as a form of payment because they provide anonymity. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get your money back once you make a transaction. By paying the cybercriminals, you also support this illegal activity.

If you do not have backups, it is nearly impossible to get your files back. However, in this guide, you will find a third-party recovery solution that helps in some cases. That is why it is important to avoid such infections in the first place.

Distribution methods

Although it is unknown how specifically Triclyde ransomware is spread on the Internet, there are some general methods that threat actors use to distribute malicious programs. The malicious code^[3] usually gets introduced by an executable file (.exe) that may have been in a zip folder, embedded within a Microsoft Office document’s macros, or disguised as another attachment.

Malicious files can infiltrate the system during “cracked” software^[4] installations. Platforms that distribute them are unregulated, the perfect breeding grounds for all kinds of malware. Almost all downloads contain some kind of malicious files and they are hard to identify for the average user.

We suggest you only use official web stores and developer websites whenever you want to install software. Even though it might get costly, you may save in the long run by keeping your system running smoothly. Avoid torrent websites and peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms at all costs.

Cybercriminals can also use email to deliver ransomware into your system. This can be done by embedding malicious links or attachments in the email. Always be careful, and do not open emails from unknown senders. Even if you received an attachment from someone on your friend list it is better to double-check with them through another platform.

Cybercriminals often use social engineering methods to disguise their emails as important messages that require immediate action from well-known companies. They take advantage of their popularity and the trust that they have built over the years with their customers.

Another common distribution channel is for hackers to use OS or software vulnerabilities. That is why it is vital to keep everything updated. Software developers often release security updates for newly found vulnerabilities, so you can be exposed if you do not do that. 

Start the removal process

The important thing to do is to disconnect the affected machine from the local network as we talked about the dangers of that previously. For home users, disconnecting the ethernet cable should do the job. If this happened at your workplace, doing that might be complicated, so we have instructions for corporate environments at the bottom of this post.

If you try to recover your data first, it can result in permanent loss. It can also encrypt your files the second time. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files causing it first. You should not attempt removing the malicious program yourself unless you have experience. Manual removal of ransomware is extremely complicated and is suitable for people with advanced IT skills.

Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your system. This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. In some cases, malware does not let you use antivirus in normal mode, so you need to access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:

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 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click Restart.
10. Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Repair corrupted system files

Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required, are nothing unusual after malware infection. These types of viruses can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software cannot fix it.

Manual troubleshooting of such damage is also very complicated and can take a long time. This is why FortectIntego was developed. It can fix a lot of the damage caused by an infection like this. Blue Screen errors,^[5] freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc., can make your computer completely unusable. By using this maintenance tool, you could prevent yourself from having to reinstall WIndows completely.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.

Try recovering data with third-party software

Only hackers hold the decryption key, which can unlock your files, so if you did not back them up previously, there is a good chance that you will never get them back. You can try using data recovery software, but keep in mind that third-party programs cannot always decrypt the files. Whatever the situation may be, we suggest at least trying this method. Before you proceed, copy the corrupted files and place them in a USB flash drive or another external storage device. And remember – only do this if you have already removed the Triclyde ransomware.

Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:

• Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
• Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.