Troubleshoot/Remove Ransomware Virus From Your Laptop
‘Ransomware’ has become quite a popular terminology of lately in the IT sector these days. More appropriately it can be defined as, “A new generation of computer viruses /Malware that at first invades the victim’s access to his computer and then later asks him to pay some ransom, so as to authorize him access to his computer.” In this tutorial, we’ll help you remove/rescue/fix your laptop from Ransomware virus. We have different methods to fix this virus on your laptop.
Such type of Malware can pose a serious and destructive threat to your computer systems, thus restricting you of the access to your own computer systems besides making all your installed Antivirus software unserviceable. Ransomware’s are generally categorized into two distinctive categories, namely: ‘Encrypting Ransomware’ and ‘Locker Ransomware’.
Encrypting Ransomware may be defined as a set of computer programs that will encrypt all the files and personal documents stored on the victim’s computer system by means of some encrypting algorithms and then demands hefty amounts for providing the decrypting keys to the victim. Typical examples of Encrypting ransomware programs include Locky, Cryptowall, CryptoLocker and many more.
In contrast to it, Locker Ransomware may be defined as the set of malicious computer programs that completely locks the operating system of the victim’s computer system, thereby restricting him of access to any of his files, application software’s and in totality to the whole computer systems. Typical examples of Locker ransomware programs include Winlocker, Police-themed Ransomware and many more.
Depending upon the specific type of invader and the criticality of this malicious software program, we will discuss 5 Different ways to Rescue your Laptop from Ransomware. Let’s discuss them briefly:
1. Force System Shut Down:
This is one of the preferable solutions to rescue from Ransomware. For this, you need to forcefully, shut down your computer system which can be done by firmly holding the power button of your computer system for few seconds, until your computer system gets ready to be in re-started mode again.
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Then start tapping the function key F8, until a black screen will appear. Then, choose the option ‘Safe Mode’ with the help of command prompt and type the following command option:
C:\windows\system32\rstrui.exe
Put this command and then go ahead and wash out the Locker ransomware significantly. Moreover, mind it, when you type this command on the command prompt, Windows operating system only loads the most vital services and doesn’t connect you to the Network Connections.
Then, as soon as the windows System Restore Utility windows pop-up, you have the option to choose few of the restoring points. Just go ahead, and choose all those restoration programs that are required before the malicious ransomware attacks such programs as well.
This restoration process will take a considerable time, so don’t panic! After this, just restart your computer and select the windows Normal mode option. That’s it after processing and booting all the necessary files into the operating system, the computer system will start and definitely, the malicious ransomware would be thing of the past now.
2. Activate The Anti-Virus Software:
This is usually the second follow-up step after force system shut down to get away with malicious ransomware. If however, you are unable to log-in to windows, try to scan the computer system on ‘offline –mode’, in which the scanning takes place either from a USB drive or a bootable Disc. Power on your PC and once the external storage device has been detected on your computer,
Click-> My Computer-> Antivirus Program
Follow all the instructions of the Antivirus program, so that it will successfully delete all the offending and malicious programs as well as files from your computer system.
This action performs the scanning of all the hard drives, viruses or ransomware that may be stored in your computer system. Once the scanning is over, select and click the Delete Button of the antivirus software to remove the malicious ransomware from your computer system for sure.
3. Recovering Hidden Files And Scanning The Stored Data:
If you are fortunate enough, then the malicious Ransomware will only hide the files, shortcuts, and icons located on your computer. To locate the hidden files, follow, the below listed command:
Open -> My Computer-> press Key-> choose Tools-> click Folder option.
Then on the View Tab-> Select -> then Click OK.
Alternatively, you can open -> My Computer and Navigate through the C:\ drive as
C:\Users\
Right click on each one of the Folders that has hidden attributes. Open Properties Tab and uncheck the checkbox specifying the and click OK.
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Besides this, make it your regular habit to take the back-up of all your data on a weekly or monthly basis. If your previously taken Back-up is still safe, run the anti-virus software and scan through all the files and folders, so as to permanently delete the malicious ransomware, if any.
4. Disable The Macros:
One of the significant reason for ransomware to affect your computer system is the enabled Macro option, available in Office Documents. Basically, the tricky malicious ransomware hoax its users to enable macros and the moment users enable this option, it will attack all the files and folders stored on your computer, thereby asking for ransom or some considerable amount to unlock it.
Recently, Microsoft Windows has released a new tool in MS Office package that restricts its users on enabling Macros, for all the stuff downloaded from the Internet. Limiting or Disabling the Macros functionality also goes a long way in rescuing from ransomware.
Open MS Word-> click Trust Center
Then click Macro
5. Keeping The Windows And Browsers Updated:
It is always advisable to keep your windows settings and browsers, in fact, major components of Browsers updated like Plug-ins, Adobe and many more. Protecting your computer from the malicious threat of ransomware is quite similar to protecting your Computer from the malicious virus or unauthorized software. Though it is a bit critical aspect of reality.
Updating of Browsers helps to protect your computer and necessary data from various adware invasions that tend to be the serious and ultimate cause of various malware threats entering your computer system and corrupting all your related data and files. Moreover, beware of unsolicited emails and e-mail attachments that can also be the cause of ransomware.
So, follow the above listed techniques and seriously rescue your computer and files from the threat of Ransomware. We hope that this tutorial would help users facing problems from this virus; Ransomware. If you’re still unable remove this virus from your phone, then do let us know so we can help you further. Don’t forget to share your valuable feedback with us, we would love to hear from you.