[[email protected]].ad Virus - How to remove

[[email protected]].ad is a file-type extension applied to files locked by the Ad ransomware. This label being applied to your files is an obvious symptom of a ransomware attack. Ad ransomware is part of an extortion scheme that tries to get the victims to send money to the criminals for fixing the broken files.

[[email protected]].ad is a new version of GlobeImposter 2.0 and is similar to IGAMI, Ppam, and Healforyou in its appearance and behavior. After encrypting and renaming the files, Ad leaves a ransom note — Read_For_Restore_File.html — with the contact details of the criminals ([email protected], [email protected]). It’s possible that [[email protected]].ad spies on you to steal some of your data, too.

Overall, [[email protected]].ad is a very dangerous virus that needs to be removed from the infected machine. It breaks your files in a way that can’t be normally reversed and, even though there are file recovery options, their effectiveness depends on the circumstances of each victim.

Behavior of the [[email protected]].ad virus

[[email protected]].ad is file-encrypting ransomware, which means that the first thing it does is scan for and encrypt media files, documents, spreadsheets, text, and other files. It stays away from the Windows system files and might be unable to correctly encrypt and decrypt rare, unusual file types and big files.

The [[email protected]].ad virus, like most ransomware, asks for the money to be sent in Bitcoin, which is a very free and anonymous currency, The ransom isn’t specified but usually ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, unless the extortionists think that you can afford more.

[[email protected]].ad’s developers also promise to decrypt a file to prove that they can, to further encourage the victims to pay them.

The Read_For_Restore_File.html ransom note:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!
Your documents, photos, databases and all the rest files encrypted cryptographically strong algoritm RSA-2048.
Without a secret key stored with us, the restoration of your files is impossible

To start the recovery process:

• Register email box to protonmail.com or cock.li (do not waste time sending letters from your standard email address, they will all be blocked).
• Send a email from your new email address to: [email protected] with your personal ID.
• In response, we will send you further instructions on decrypting your files.

Your personal ID:
…

P.S.

• It is in your interest to respond as soon as possible to ensure the recovery of your files, because we will not store your decryption keys on our server for a long time.
• Check the folder “Spam” when waiting for an email from us.
• If we do not respond to your message for more than 48 hours, write to the backup email : [email protected]
• ———–
• Q: Did not receive an answer?
• A: Check the SPAM folder.
• Q: My spam folder is empty, what should I do?
• A: Register email box to protonmail.com or cock.li and do the steps above.

Cryptography is indeed secure and the criminals who developed [[email protected]].ad are the only ones who can reverse it. The decryption keys are unique to each victim, so even if you got the decryption software from someone who paid, it wouldn’t work.

How to remove [[email protected]].ad ransomware and restore the files

Most competent antivirus programs (like Spyhunter) should be able to recognize [[email protected]].ad as malware and remove it, as this VirusTotal report shows.

The locked files should be replaced with copies from a backup, unfortunately, a lot of people either don’t have backups, or they don’t keep them offline, which results in the backups being encrypted by [[email protected]].ad along with the files. The data recovery options like the ones in the illustrated guide below this article might work, but the problem is that [[email protected]].ad tries to make recovery impossible, so the results might be disappointing.

No free decryption tool is available for GlobeImposter 2.0, though Globe and GlobeImposter have been cracked by Emsisoft and had free decryptors released. Be careful of scammers offering to decrypt your files, and be careful of the criminals behind [[email protected]].ad. Dealing with them and paying the ransom does not guarantee decryption — even if they try to help you recover the files, often various technical difficulties arise.

Besides, the more you deal with these extortionists, the more you expose your computer and your private data to them; they can use this information to attack you again in the future, knowing that you have the means to pay them money. This could be devastating, so secure your device so that infections don’t repeat. Disable or secure your Remote Desktop so that no outsider can use it to install anything on your computer. Update all the programs so that known vulnerabilities are patched and can’t be exploited. And make sure to scan every new file before running it.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover [[email protected]].ad Virus 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 → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

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.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before com] has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of [[email protected]].ad Virus

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 com]. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore [[email protected]].ad Virus 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 com] 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 Properties → Previous 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.

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.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover [[email protected]].ad Virus 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.

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.