How To Remove HR ransomware And Recover Infected Files

Simple Steps To Delete HR ransomware From Computer

HR ransomware is another destructive file-encoding malware that was first spotted in early March 2020 by security expert Amigo-A. This nasty crypto-malware works on the same mechanism as other infections of same category do- first enters the computer without users’ permission then encrypts all their crucial files stored inside their systems and finally, asks them to pay the attackers an amount of ransom to unlock it. However, it only targets NAS (Network-attached Storage) systems. According to the reports, this perilous malware only infected Zyxel Nas326 model so far. Researchers also found that this crypto-virus is dropped into the targeted device using a firmware exposure that allows the Cyber crooks to acquire root access.

After completing the encryption process, HR ransomware asks users to pay 0.113 BTC to the criminals in order to get the alleged decryption software and regain access to the compromised files. It puts a ransom note named “RANSOM_NOTE.txt” on the desktop and provide the data recovery instruction. This hazardous threat is able to compromise almost all types of files including PDFs, documents, images, videos, audios etc. and make them totally useless. All the infected files are then renamed as this virus appends “.HR” extension with the name of each of them. The ransom note also warns the victims not to rename the infected data or try to access them via third-party application, otherwise it may cause permanent data loss.

Text Presented in The Ransom note:

The harddisks of your computer have been encrypted with an Military grade encryption algorithm.

There is no way to restore your data without a special key.

Only we can decrypt your files!

To purchase your key and restore your data, please follow these three easy steps:

1. pay exactly 0.1130 BTC to this Wallet : 3MAqy8bi5SGrfYAzhavTjZWRNBsLvgZ8sX

2. Once payment has been completed, send email to [email protected] .send this id as content of email : 1mk8hjkn2old3

We will check to see if payment has been paid.

3. You will receive a text file with your KEY that will unlock all your files.

IMPORTANT: To decrypt your files, place text file on desktop and wait. Shortly after it will begin to decrypt all files.

WARNING:

Do NOT attempt to decrypt your files with any software as it is obselete and will not work, and may cost you more to unlcok your files.

Do NOT change file names, mess with the files, or run deccryption software as it will cost you more to unlock your files-

-and there is a high chance you will lose your files forever.

Do NOT send “PAID” button without paying, price WILL go up for disobedience.

Do NOT think that we wont delete your files altogether and throw away the key if you refuse to pay. WE WILL.

Email: [email protected]

Should You Pay The Ransom?

HR ransomware doesn’t leave any option to you other than dealing with the criminals but still, we highly advise to not do so. Remember, the only purpose of such hackers is to extort illicit profits from the victimized users, there is absolutely no guarantee that they will decrypt your files even after taking the ransom. There are a number of instances when crooks just disappeared once the payment is made or provided rogue application to the victims in the name of decryption tool which only harms the computer badly upon getting installed. Moreover, paying ransom to the criminals will only encourage them to do more such attacks for further revenues. And hence, never make any sort of payment to the hackers under any circumstance and try to delete HR ransomware from the machine without wasting any time. To recover the compromised data, use a powerful file-recovery application that you can download right here via the link given under this article or a backup made on any external drive.

Other Malevolent Traits of HR ransomware:

Aside from encrypting your essential data, this nasty malware also creates tons of junk files in the hard drive of your PC which consumes enormous amount of memory resources and drags down the overall computer performance severely. Due to this, machine starts responding in a very slow manner and takes more than usual time to complete any task. This deadly crypto-threat changes the default registry settings by making spiteful entries in it which allows the virus to get automatically activated with each Window reboot. However, this action brings various pernicious issues such as boot errors, frequent system crash, software failure, supplication malfunctioning and so on. It messes with vital system files that are essential for smooth computer functioning and prevents many installed apps as well as drivers from working in an appropriate manner.

Threat Summary

Name: HR ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Crypto-virus

Description- Destructive malware that aims to encrypt users’ crucial files and then ask them to pay off for the decryption key/tool.

Ransom note: “RANSOM_NOTE.txt”

Extension- “.HR”

BitCoins Address- 3MAqy8bi5SGrfYAzhavTjZWRNBsLvgZ8sX

Cyber Criminals Contact- [email protected]

Symptoms: Users can not open files available on their desktop, previously functional files now have different extensions, A ransom demanding message is displayed on the desktop screen. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock their encoded data and files.

Distribution methods: Torrent websites, spam emails, peer to peer network sharing, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be accessed without paying ransom, Additional password stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed along with ransomware infections and other malware.

Removal: To remove this virus from the system, we advise you to use a reliable anti-malware tool. Once malware gets removed, you can recover your files by using existing backup or data-recovery software.

How Does This Ransomware Enter Your Computer:

Such types of ransomware infections intrude the targeted PCs though multiple illusive techniques such as spam email campaigns, Trojans, fake software updaters, questionable download sources, unofficial software activation tools etc. Nevertheless, the most common technique used by Cyber actors to distribute such parasites is by sending emails that contain malicious attachments. Crooks generally attach MS office, exe files, PDF documents, and JavaScript files. Once you open the attachment, those malevolent files install some perilous application. And therefore, it is necessary to stay away from suspicious mails coming from unknown source. You never know what they are containing. But at the moment, just take a quick action and remove HR ransomware from the machine by following the effective removal steps given below.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete HR ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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