Ranscam Ransomware - How to remove

Ranscam Ransomware

Ranscam ransomware relies on scare tactics. Released on the 6th of July, 2016, this ransomware threat does not deserve to be called crypto malware. Just like AnonPop ransomware it does not actually encrypt the victim’s files but deletes them. Regarding such algorithm of the program, the amount of the ransom requested and some other features, Ranscam scareware is considered to be a creation of amateur hackers and it is far from such ransomwares as CryptXXX, for instance. It’s like comparing an amateur soccer player to Nani.

About Ranscam Ransomware

The ransom note Ranscam displayes is in JPEG and it replaces the victim’s desktop wallpaper. It informs the affected user that his/her files have been relocated. It is quite unusual for ransomwares to make such claims since the majority of them leaves the encrypted data in the same location. The size of the ransom demanded is 0.2 BTC (Bitcoins) which equals to 130.70 USD as of this particular point in time. The payment verification button in the message is clickable and it is supposed to be clicked when the payment has been made. Ridiculously, the cyber crooks behind Ranscam threatens the victim’s that each unverified payment click will lead to the deletion of some amount of the victim’s data. However, even if you transferred the money the hackers asks you to, you will not retrieve your data. Ranscam virus deletes your files and it does not have a built-in feature of recovery.

Ranscam virus erases unspecified file formats, meaning it can permanently damage any of your text, audio, video file, images or archives, etc. Powershell script from a batch file is run to delete the victim’s files. The batch file which performs the deletion routine is called by the .NET executable. This ransomware even sets the Keybord Scancode Map, thus, acting as a spyware and bearing resemblance to MIRCOP ransomware. On an interesting note, the server which is involved in the distribution of this malicious script is located in Studio City, a neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles in California.

How is Ranscam Ransomware Distributed?

Ranscam ransomware still has not make it to earn a name of a Trojan virus. This virus threat, assigned to ransomware, does not pollute your e-mail box with malicious spam e-mails. At the present moment, it is being spread via infected domains such as P2P file sharing sites, free gaming and gambling platforms, porno domains and other suspicious pages. When you visit such questionable websites, without having an updated trustworthy security software (e.g. Spyhunter) on your computer’s system running, you bear an extremely high possibility to bring this malware onto your PC.

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by Ranscam Ransomware?

So as you have come to know, Ranscam malware does not encrypt your files, consequently, no decryption is possible and ever be. You have to roll with the punches because you have lost your data forever, if you have no backups. This virus disables Windows System Restore and deletes Shadow Volume Copies. So either way, you will not get your files back. You can only give it a try for data recovery tools such as the software by Kaspersky Lab, Recuva, PhotoRec, etc. But there is little hope in this.

Each time the computer is launched, the ransomware is activated and new files are being deleted. So the first and the most important thing you need to do now is to remove Ranscam ransomware as soon as possible. It deletes a few registry keys related to the Safe Mode. So it might be a little difficult to reboot your computer into this mode and run one of the following automatic malware removal tools: Spyhunter or Malwarebytes. This nasty threat also appends registry entries to disable the Task Manager. So manual removal may also be hindered. However, there is the manual removal guide just below this article. We do sincerely recommend to perform automatic removal to have better chances to succeed. And please make regular backups of your data using unmapped storages in the future.

How to recover Ranscam Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:


for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP
  • Start Shutdown RestartOK.
  • Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
  • Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 7 enter safe mode

for Windows 8 / 10
  • Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart. Windows 8-10 restart to safe mode
  • Choose TroubleshootAdvanced OptionsStartup Settings and click Restart.
  • When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings. Windows 8-10 enter safe mode
 

2.Restore System files and settings.

  • When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
  • Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.CMD commands
  • Click “Next” in the windows that appeared. Restore point img1
  • Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Ranscam Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”. Restore point img2
  • To start System restore click “Yes”. Restore point img3
 

Step 2. Complete removal of Ranscam Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Ranscam Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Ranscam Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Ranscam Ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select PropertiesPrevious versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.
Previous version
b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.
Shadow explorer

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Ranscam Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:
  • We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
  • Download a data recovery program.
  • Install and scan for recently deleted files. Data Recovery Pro
Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.
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