Remove 22btc ransomware (Recover Locked Files)

22btc ransomware: Complete Removal Instruction

22btc ransomware is a hazardous computer infection that belongs to the family of Dharma ransomware. It encrypts files and then instructs victims to purchase a decryption tool from the attackers to restore the data. The notorious crypto-malware secretly infiltrates the Windows devices without being noticed by the users and then makes changes to registry editors to create persistence. Soon after, it encrypts almost all types of files stored inside the machine using a strong encryption algorithm and makes victims unable to open those files. This deadly parasite also renames the compromised data by adding unique user ID, attackers’ email address and appending “.22btc” extension with each of them.

Depth Analysis of 22btc ransomware:

Once the encryption process is completed, 22btc ransomware exhibits two ransom notes in a pop-up window and FILES ENCRYPTED.txt text file and informs the affected people regarding the attack. These notes try to convince them that paying the attackers is the only option to recover those files. For more details, they have to contact the criminals via the provided email address. Victims are also warned not to rename the infected files or use third-party decryption tools/software, otherwise it may lead to permanent data loss.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

No matter how important your files are, you should never consider dealing with the 22btc ransomware authors under any circumstance. Don’t pay any sort of ransom to the attackers as they don’t give any assurance that they will deliver the required tool even after taking the money. It has been tendency of such people that they usually disappear once the extortion is paid or provide shady application in the name of decryption tool. Furthermore, paying ransom to hackers will only boost their confidence and they will certainly trigger more such attacks for future income.

What Should The Affected Users Do?

For any victims, the first thing they need to do here is to perform 22btc ransomware removal from the computer without wasting any time. As far as recovering the infected files is concerned, you should use alternative method such as backups. The problem here is that many people don’t have appropriate backups. If this is the case with you, you can try an effective data-recovery application. Be very attentive while choosing recovery software as scammers may try to deceive you into purchasing rogue application. You can download a legitimate and powerful file-recovery program right here (link provided under this article). Although, such tools don’t always work as per expectations but still, it can be very handy in retrieving some amount of compromised data.

Threat Specification 

Name: 22btc ransomware

Type: Ransomware, File-encrypting malware, Crypto-virus

Short Description: Hazardous threat that locks crucial data and then asks victims to pay the attackers a huge sum of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension: .22btc (files are also appended with a unique ID and attackers’ email address)

Ransom Notes: Text presented in the pop-up window and FILES ENCRYPTED.txt

Attackers’ contact: [email protected] and [email protected]

Symptoms: Files become unusable stored on the infected systems, previous functional data now have different extension, a ransom demanding note is displayed. Victims are asked to pay an amount of ransom to decrypt their encrypted files.

Distribution methods: 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.

Ways To Spread 22btc ransomware:

Spam campaigns are the most commonly used method to proliferate file-encoding viruses. During this campaign, cyber hackers send hundreds or even thousands of phishing emails that are generally disguised as ‘urgent’, official’, ‘important’. These scam emails have malicious files attached to them that could be in various formats such as JavaScript, archives, executables, PDF and Microsoft Office documents, etc. Once the vicious attachment is executed or run, it leads to the penetration of 22btc ransomware or other similar infection.

And therefore, it is important to avoid irrelevant emails and never open their attached documents as they might contain spiteful files that may trigger virus installation once opened. Additionally, use only official sites and verified download channels and stay away from third-party downloaders/installers, peer-to-peer sharing networks, unofficial sites etc. as much as you can. In case your PC is already infected with this dangerous threat, you must remove 22btc ransomware from the machine as early as possible.

Text Presented In The Pop-up Window:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

Don’t worry,you can return all your files!

If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID –

If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:[email protected]

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.

Text Presented In The “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” File:

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

write email [email protected] or [email protected]

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove 22btc ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete 22btc ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove 22btc 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 22btc ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with 22btc 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 22btc 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 22btc 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 22btc 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 22btc 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 22btc 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 22btc 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 22btc 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 22btc 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.