Recognizer ransomware - How to remove

Is another version of Paradise — a cryptovirus that affects computers running the Windows operating system.  Like other ransomware, Recognizer ransomware encrypts files and holds them hostage until the victim pays money in exchange for fixing the issue. Recognizer ransomware is dangerous because there is no obvious way to decrypt the files — it uses RSA encryption, and only the cybercriminals have the code needed to reverse the encryption. However, we urge you to avoid paying the ransom and instead, remove the virus and restore the files from a backup.

Paradise (the family name of the Recognizer virus) is Ransomware as a Service, which means that it has many modified versions floating around the Web. Because of that, it can be difficult to tell how exactly each version will behave. It could modify security settings, preventing the installed antivirus form removing it. It might have installed spyware and other malware on your machine. It is thus important to scan the computer thoroughly before using it regularly again.

How to recognise Recognizer?

Recognizer ransomware encrypts your files, adds a .recognizer extension and appends the email of the cybercriminals to the file name. It looks something like this:

[old file name].[old file type][id].[email].recognizer

After Recognizer is done encrypting, it leaves a ransom note named “Instructions with your files.txt”:

All your files have been encrypted contact us via the e-mail listed below.

e-mail: [email protected] or e-mail: [email protected]

 

Paradise Ransomware team.

If you don’t find the ransom note, that could mean that the encryption ended before it was done. In that case, it’s possible that some of the files on your computer were not affected.

How does Recognizer spread?

Ransomware as a service means that Recognizer can be spread through all possible channels, as multiple people are spreading it as best as they can.

• • Recognizer can come in deceptive emails, made to look like they’re trustworthy and familiar. It uses psychological manipulation and exploits the fact that people cannot be vigilant and ultra careful 24/7.
  • Remote Desktop was noted as a vulnerability to the previous version of Recognizer.
  • Recognizer could come bundled with unofficial installers, software cracks, and pirated programs.
  • Viruses can be transmitted through other, already infected, hardware, like USB sticks.

Systems that are not protected by good quality, up-to-date antivirus software.

What can be done?

If Recognizer ransomware (ar any other cryptovirus) has infected your computer, the file encryption process will likely start in the background. This process takes time and, if you noticed something suspicious, like your hard drive working unexpectedly hard and files appearing with the .recognizer file type and long, scrambled file names, the first thing you should do is immediately disconnect the computer from the internet and, if possible, shut the machine down. Even though some of your files were already encrypted, many others might have been unaffected and, as long as the computer is shut down, it is impossible for the encryption process to continue.

Scan your computer with an antivirus that can recognise and remove Recognizer ransomware, as well as whatever other malware might have been installed on your system. Spyhunter are examples of recommended antivirus tools. Some of your operating system files might have been corrupted, so it is a good idea to check and repair them. You can do that manually, or using an antivirus with operating system restoration functions.

Be careful in the future:

• Remember to use complicated passwords for everything, including your email accounts and the Remote Desktop.
• Update your operating system and your antivirus software.
• Regularly copy your files into a backup.
• Be suspicious of unexpected emails with unnecessary links or attachments.

Update: Emsisoft released a decrypter for Recognizer, here is the link.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Recognizer 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 → 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 Recognizer has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Recognizer 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 Recognizer. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Recognizer 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 Recognizer 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 Recognizer 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.

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.