How to remove MR.ROBOT ransomware

Delete MR.ROBOT ransomware from the system

MR.ROBOT ransomware is a data locker virus. Systems infected with this virus have all the files stored within become inaccessible for the users behind them till a certain amount of fee that the crooks demand to, is paid. Here, in this article we provide you how you can get the files back in the original accessible condition without negotiating to the evil people and how to remove the ransomware.

What is MR.ROBOT ransomware?

MR.ROBOT ransomware is a deadly computer infection detected as a ransomware. The credit for this discovery goes to GrujaRS. This malware operates by encrypting stored files and demanding ransom payment for the decryption. During encryption process, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files using five random characters. For example, a file like 1.jpg would appear as something similar to 1.jpg.4b506. Following to the encryption process completed, the ransomware creates an info.txt file and displays a pop-up window.

The ransom demanding message (text presented in the pop-up window and info.txt) informs the users about the data encryption and instructs them they now have the only option to pay the crooks for the unique decryption tool they have. It tries to make users believe that there is no other option than this. Additionally, they warn the users that any attempt to manual decryption can result into permanent data loss. To provide the tool, they ask 100 USD transfer in Bitcoin or other Cryptocurrency formats. Here is the complete text presented on the ransom note displayed by MR.ROBOT ransomware:

MR.ROBOT

Your files were encrypted. You can check it: all files on you computer has unique extension. The cost of encrypt  100$.You have to pay us a BTC(bitcoin). How to buy BTC? – Ask google or contact us, we’ll help you. Everything is possible to restore, but you need to follow our instructions. Otherwise, you can’t return your data (NEVER).If you will not cooperate with our service – for us, its does not matter. But you will lose your time and data, cause just we have the private key.In practise – time is much more valuable than money.Any attempts to decrypt files will lead to irreparable damage. GUARANTEES:We will surely restore your files after receiving payment to our wallet. If we do not do our work and liabilities – nobody will not cooperate with us.It’s not in our interests.

Contacts:Main e-mail:[email protected] you don’t have an answer for 2 hours, please:[email protected]

Send 0.01 BTC to that wallet to decrypt:

3Dusdj8V6zFQQ6p4GyMbe1Eso5XTFoPmGu

DECRYPTING PROGRESS

Should I go with the ransom payment instruction?

Trusting the crooks is highly not advised. There is a chance that they scam you, or say, they may disappear leaving you without your files, once all their demands are met. In this case, you will suffer financial loss and will have the files remain in the encrypted form. Better to use some data recovery alternatives. The safest option is to remove MR.ROBOT ransomware and recover the files using existing backup. The malware removal is necessary to be done to prevent it from further files encryption. Also, its removal will avoid more severe risks- the major being the data stealing and additional malware injections -due to the threat longer presents.

How to get the files back in the accessible condition?

Existing backup is the safe and secure way to get the files back in the previously accessible condition. However, not all users have such backup files available. In such a case, Volume Shadow Copy could help them. This is a backup file created by OS for short time. In some cases, this shadow copy is deleted by ransomware by running PowerShell command in order to harden the decryption process (Check the data recovery section below the post to know whether this option is available). So, if you have this option also not available, the only option you have left is to use some data recovery tools. Nowadays, such tools are designed with special functionality added and so you can anticipate of the data recovery using them.

Threat Summary

Type: Ransomware

Extension use:  five random characters

Ransom note:  info.txt and a pop-up window

Symptoms: Stored files become inaccessible, and their filename gets renamed. Ransom demanding message is displayed on the desktop. Cyber crooks demand ransom payment for the files decryption.

Distribution methods: infected email attachments, torrent sites and malicious ads

Damages: Risk of password stealing Trojan or other dangerous virus intrusion that cause direct damage to the system/software installed

Removal: Use some reputable antivirus tool or follow below mentioned step by step instruction to remove MR.ROBOT ransomware from the system

Files recovery: Till official data decryption tool released, existing backups and data recovery tools are the only options for the data recovery you have

How did ransomware infiltrate in?

The most common distribution methods of ransomware and other malware are Trojans, spam campaigns, illegal activation tools, illegitimate updates and dubious download channels. Trojans are malicious programs commonly used to distribute other malicious malware. The term spam campaigns defines as a large scale operation used for design and deliver deceptive emails. Such emails have some infectious files or links inside them. When they are opened- the infection process is jumpstarted. Cracking tools cause infect by supposedly bypassing activation key for paid software. Fake updaters infect systems by exploiting flaws of outdated products and/or by simply installing malware instead of promised updates. Untrustworthy downloading channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders or installers spread malware by presenting them as legit software.

How to prevent malware infection?

Irrelevant/suspicious emails, especially the ones having attachments or links found inside can lead malware infection to the system. Better to avoid clicking any such attachments and/or opening the emails. Additionally, all downloads should be done using official websites and direct links only. It is also important to activate and update products with tools/functions provided by legit developers. Illegal activation tools and third party updaters should be used as they commonly install malware. To protect the device and user safety, using some reputable antivirus tool is also paramount. Such tools keep updated the installed apps and OS, run regular scans and remove detected/potential threats.

Remove MR.ROBOT ransomware

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove MR.ROBOT ransomware from the system.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove MR.ROBOT ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete MR.ROBOT ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove MR.ROBOT 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 MR.ROBOT ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with MR.ROBOT 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 MR.ROBOT 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 MR.ROBOT 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 MR.ROBOT 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 MR.ROBOT 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 MR.ROBOT 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 MR.ROBOT 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 MR.ROBOT 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 MR.ROBOT 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.