How to remove Hive Ransomware and recover files

Complete tips to delete Hive Ransomware and decrypt files

Hive Ransomware is a ransomware-type infection that operates by encrypting stored files and then demanding ransom payment for the decryption. In other word, this ransomware renders all files inaccessible and asks users to pay – to restore access to them once again.

During the encryption process, the ransomware appends filenames of each of the encrypted files with .hive extension. For example, a file initially titled 1.jpg would appear something similar to “1.jpg.3FTVjumqQ4OHTCZxlHTlF1jniMpLRvMkH4T62rsHFwY.hive” – after encryption.

Upon finishing the files encryption process, ransom notes –HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt are dropped on each folder containing encrypted files. The message states that the files have been encrypted and encourages users to pay to purchase the decryption tool from crooks behind it.

Also, it lists out the actions that can lead to the permanent data loss. The victims are asked not to reboot the device, disconnect external storage device, edit/attempt to decrypt the files with third party tool, modify or delete the .key.hive files or alter the authorities.

The ransom message ends with a threatening to the victims that if they do not provide the ransom fee, their sensitive data will be publicized. You can see the complete ransom demanding instructions mentioned in HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt text file provided below:

Your network has been breached and all data is encrypted.

To decrypt all the data you will need to purchase our decryption software.

Please contact our sales department at:

hxxp://hivecust6vhekztbqgdnkks64ucehqacge3dij3gyrrpdp57zoq3ooqd.onion/

Login: –

Password: –

Follow the guidelines below to avoid losing your data:

– Do not shutdown or reboot your computers, unmount external storages.

– Do not try to decrypt data using third party software. It may cause irreversible damage.

– Do not fool yourself. Encryption has perfect secrecy and it’s impossible to decrypt without knowing the key.

– Do not modify, rename or delete *.key.hive files. Your data will be undecryptable.

– Do not modify or rename encrypted files. You will lose them.

– Do not report to authorities. The negotiation process will be terminated immediately and the key will be erased.

– Do not reject to purchase. Your sensitive data will be publicly disclosed at hxxp://hiveleakdbtnp76ulyhi52eag6c6tyc3xw7ez7iqy6wc34gd2nekazyd.onion/

In many cases with system infection with ransomware type viruses- the decryption is impossible. It might be when the ransomware is at its initial stage or has certain bugs/ flaws in them. Whatever the case, it is highly not advised paying/ contacting the crooks.

Since, victims often do not receive the decryption tool even after the payment is submitted. Hence, they suffer the financial loss and their files remain encrypted. You require think of some alternatives for the files recovery.

The best way to recover the files is to use the existing backups you have. If you have no such backup file available, check once if Shadow Volume Copies exist. These automatically created backups from Windows OS are sometimes left untouched during ransomware infection cases.

Below the post, in the data recovery section, you will find complete guide how to recover files using Shadow Copies. Another data recovery option is to use third party data recovery tools. Use one such tool available on internet if Shadow Copies are found to be deleted by the ransomware.

However, before attempting to recover the files using any stated methods, make sure you remove Hive Ransomware from the system. Its removal is necessary to avoid further files encryption and ensure no interference of the threat during the files recovery process.

How did Hive Ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed via untrustworthy downloading channels such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks and other third-party downloaders. Malicious malware are often presented as legit software/ media.

Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are prime examples of that. Cracking tools infect systems instead of activating licensed software. Fake software updaters cause infection by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software or by direct downloading malware instead of updates, fixes.

Spam campaigns can also be used to spread ransomware as well. Such emails contain infectious files or links for such files in them. The crooks attempt to trick people into opening such files that trigger them the malware download on their system.

How to prevent ransomware intrusion?

It is recommended to use only official websites and direct links for any software download. Additionally, all programs should have to be updated/ activated using official software developers’ implemented tools/ functions.

To prevent infection from spam emails, it is advised against opening any emails whose senders’ addresses seem suspicious, unknown –especially the presented files/ links in them. It is paramount to have a reputable antivirus tool installed and updated for adequate PC protection.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Hive Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Hive Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Hive Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete Hive Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Hive Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Hive Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Hive Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Hive Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by Hive Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Hive Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Hive Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Hive Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Hive Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.