How to remove HORSEMONEY ransomware [Recover Files]

Proper guide to delete HORSEMONEY ransomware

HORSEMONEY ransomware is yet another perilous data-encrypting malware belonging to Phobos ransomware family. Alike its previous version, it operates by encrypting data and demands the victims to pay money for the decryption. During the encryption, HORSEMONEY appends the files with “.HORSEMONEY” extension along with victim’s unique ID and an email address belongs to the threat developers.

As soon as the encryption process is completed, ransom notes are displayed in a pop-up window info.hta and info.txt text file. The created pop-up window informs victims that their data has been locked and in order to access it they need to pay. However, the cost of tool is not mentioned, usually it depends upon victims how fast they contact to the criminals.

In order to contact them, users are asked to use ICQ messenger/VoIP. Moreover, victims are asked to contact the criminals within 72 hours otherwise the information collected by them will be sold to their competitors or put for sale on the Darknet. They also warn user not to decrypt files by using third-party software otherwise it may cause permanent data loss.

However, all such claims are false because once payments are done they don’t provide you original decryption key. Mostly, it has been seen that the key they sent either be duplicate or don’t work. You cannot expect any refund from them because you don’t know their real identity because they demand the money in the form of Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

How to remove HORSEMONEY ransomware and recover files?

In order to recover files, first of all you need to remove HORSEMONEY ransomware and all its associated files by using powerful anti-malware removal tool that can eliminate all infiltrated ransomware completely from the PC. Once malware gets removed, you can easily restore your files by using backup (if created earlier) or any other third-party data recovery software in case, backups are not found.

How it intrude?

Ransomware viruses are usually spread through fake software updaters, illegal software activation tools, Trojans, spam campaigns and unreliable software download sources. The most common and popular source used for the distribution of ransomware is spam campaigns that are used to send deceptive emails containing infectious files as attachments included. Such files can be in form of PDF documents, executable files, archive files and so on. If opened, cause download or installation of malware. Thus, users are advised not to open emails if any attachments found in such emails as these are the main sources of potential malware infection.

Text presented in HORSEMONEY ransomware’s pop-up window (“info.hta”):

Hello,sir!Dont worry,your files are safe but you cant use it before our cooperating

Unfortunately for you, a major IT security weakness left you open to attack, your files have been encrypted
We can give you all decryption guarantees and important information to improve your IT skills
Price of decryption depends on how fast you will write us
If you want to restore your files write to our ICQ which works 24/7 – @HORSEMONEY
Install ICQ software on your PC here hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on mobile phone from Appstore / Google Play Market search for “ICQ”
Write to our ICQ @HORSEMONEY hxxps://icq.im/HORSEMONEY/
Write your ID in the title of your message –

 

Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software – it may cause permanent data loss.
We are always ready to cooperate and find the best way to solve your problem.
The faster you write – the more favorable conditions will be for you.
Our company values its reputation. We give all guarantees of your files decryption.
IF WE DONT SEE MESSAGES FROM YOU IN 72 HOURS – WE WILL SELL YOUR DATABASES AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO YOUR COMPETITORS AND OTHER HACKERS IN DARKNET.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove HORSEMONEY ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete HORSEMONEY ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove HORSEMONEY 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 HORSEMONEY ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with HORSEMONEY 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 HORSEMONEY 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 HORSEMONEY 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 HORSEMONEY 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 HORSEMONEY 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 HORSEMONEY 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 HORSEMONEY 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 HORSEMONEY 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 HORSEMONEY 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.