How to remove H@RM@ Ransomware (Complete Guide)

Know how to recover files from H@RM@ Ransomware

Is your windows operating system is locked down and files gets encrypted by H@RM@ Ransomware? Are you unable to open any files as earlier states? Is your existing antivirus unable to delete this virus from the system? If yes then don’t worries this article will help you to recover files and remove this notorious ransomware from the PC. Thus, please read this article carefully.

Overview of H@RM@ Ransomware

H@RM@ Ransomware is highly vicious file encrypting virus that belongs to WannaScream ransomware family and was discovered by 0x4143. It is developed by the team of remote hacker with the sole motive to extract huge ransom money by phishing innocent users. It gets inside the targeted computer via various intrusive methods like as spam email campaigns, updating system software, clicking on malicious links, commercial and suspicious site and other tricky ways.

Once installed, first of all, H@RM@ Ransomware will deeply scan the entire hard disk to encrypt all kinds of files such as images, pictures, audios, videos, games, apps, word, excel and so on. This virus encrypts files by using a combination of RSA public key and AES cipher. After that, it renames all files by adding victim’s ID, developers email address and by appending “.H@RM@” extensions to their filenames and makes them totally inaccessible.

Quick Glance

Name: H@RM@ Ransomware

Threat Type: Ransomware, Crypto Virus, Files locker

Encrypted Files Extension: .H@RM@

Symptoms: All your important files as well as data are locked and cannot be opened without using a private key or tool.

Ransom note: ReadMe.txt, pop-up window

Hackers email ID: [email protected]

Distribution methods: Infected email attachments (macros), torrent websites, malicious ads, bundled freeware programs and many more.

Damage: causes permanent data loss and can also drops other pernicious infections on to the compromised computer.

Removal: Manual and automatic guidelines as provided under this article.

How H@RM@ Ransomware demands ransom money?

Just after finishing encryption process, H@RM@ Ransomware demands ransom money by sending ransom note in form of text and displays a pop-up window. This note states that all your data and file has been encrypted using strong encryption key. Thus, you are unable to open any files without using decryption key. To get such key, users are instructed to contact cyber criminals by writing them an email to the provided email address.

Further, developers say that victims can test the decryption tool by sending 5 encrypted files to their emails. Remember that those files do not contain any valuable information. Cyber criminals behind H@RM@ Ransomware offer to decrypt those files for free. Users are also provided some time to pay money that is within 3 days after encryption. If you will make delay into contacting them then you will lost your files forever.

How to retrieve files from H@RM@ Ransomware?

We know that your all files are very crucial for you but paying to hackers in order to access all files is too risky. There is no any proof that it will get back all files just after received ransom money. If you really want to get back all files then you are highly suggested to remove H@RM@ Ransomware firstly and completely from the computer by using reliable antivirus removal tool. Just after that you can easily restore all files by using backup (if found) or any other legitimate recovery software.

Precautionary measures to avoid future attacks:

• Stop opening emails attachments that look suspicious and are sent by some unknown address.
• Update all the programs installed in the system regularly from legitimate sources.
• Avoid visiting untrustworthy websites. URLs related to porn, adult dating, gambling should not be accessed.
• Strengthen the security settings and use strong anti-malware tool to protect device from malware in future.

Text presented in H@RM@ Ransomware’s pop-up window:

All your files have been encrypted by Wanna Scream!
due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail [email protected]
Write this ID in the title of your message:-
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this e-mail:[email protected]
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove H@RM@ Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete H@RM@ Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ 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.