How To Remove 259 ransomware ( Decrypt Encrypted Files)

Best Guide To Recover files from 259 ransomware

259 ransomware  is a highly dangerous Computer infection that  makes the System files completely inaccessible by encrypting them.  This vicious file encrypting virus belongs to the Dharma Ransomware family. It renames all encrypted files, displays a pop-up Window and creates the “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” text file. It was discovered and distributed by the team of cyber hacker with the sole motive to extort huge ransom by the blackmailing innocent users. It uses the powerful encryption algorithm AES and RSA to encrypt all kind of personal and System files of the targeted PC. It renames files by adding Victim’s ID, [email protected] email address and appending the “.259 ” extension to their  filenames. Both the pop-up Windows and the files “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” text file contain instructions on how to contact 259’s developers to decrypt files.

Both the ransom note “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” and pop-up window  explained that their  all kind of files are encrypted by the  strong encryption algorithm therefore accessing even single  file is completely impossible. In order to know how to purchase a decryption tool victim have to send the provided ID to the  [email protected] email address. The price of the decryptor tool is not specified, it is only depends on how quickly victim will contact to the developer. They also instruct, payment should be done in the form of bitcoin within 48 hour after contacted.   Victim can send one encrypted files that does not contain valuable information  through the provided email address  in order to proof decryption is possible  after payment.   259’s developers will decrypt it for free and sent back. They also warned, attempt to rename encrypted files or try to decrypt them with third party software may cause permanent data loss.

Text presented in 259 ransomware‘s pop-up window:

All your files have been encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted 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 theese e-mails:[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 decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee

Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (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.

How did 259 ransomware infect your System:

259 ransomware infect your System via various ways like as spam email campaign, fake Software, updater, Trojan, Download System Software from unknown sources and other tricky ways. Spam email contains malicious attachments into various formats like as word, documents, text, images, archive, zip, archer, executable, java scripts and so on.  Such type of file seems official, urgent, important and sent from reputable organization. When recipients open a certain malicious files then the malicious program gets installed into the targeted System. Fake Software updates from unreliable Software download sources like as third party downloader, freeware download, free file hosting and so on.   Trojans are malicious program that can cause damage only when they are installed on a System and may cause chain infection. Download software from unofficial site with carelessness also bring Ransomware and other harmful threats.

How To protect your System from 259 ransomware:

 Do not received email  which sent from unknown sender and contains any attachments and links. If any file seems suspicious please do not open it without scanning. It is highly recommended check the body content of the email including grammatical error and spelling mistakes. Do not download , install, or update System Software from unknown sources or third party site. Software must be downloading and install from official and trustworthy downloader site. It is highly recommended to to read the installation guide carefully till the end. It is important to check the custom or advance options as well as other important settings. It is highly advice scan your System with automatic removal tool to remove 259 ransomware automatically from System.

 Do Not Pay Ransom Money:

Paying Money to the hacker will not bring your files back. Victim who trust on cyber-criminal  and  paying money  they got scammed.  Paying money will only make you a target as hacker often release multiple the  same virus with different names. Once you Pay, another virus will soon infect your PC and the whole process will repeat. In most of the cases cyber-criminal blocks all the way of communication just after received ransom money.

What Victim Should Do?

If your System  files are encrypted by 259 ransomware  and  you are unable to restore files back. There is no any solution you have without paying money to the hacker.  Do not think to pay ransom to the hacker. Once you pay ransom then you will be losing your files and money as well.   If you have any backup you files then  you can restore your files, But before  this process you have to completely remove 259 ransomware by using removal tool. If you have not any back you can use third party recovery Software.

Threat Summary:

Name:  259 virus

Threat Type: Ransomware, Crypto Virus, Files locker

Encrypted Files Extension: .259

Ransom Demanding Message:   Pop-up window, FILES ENCRYPTED.txt

Cyber Criminal Contact: [email protected]

Symptoms:  All files are encrypted by the strong encryption algorithm, Cannot open files stored on your computer, A ransom demand message is displayed on your desktop. Cyber criminals demand payment of a ransom to unlock your files.

Distribution methods:    spam email campaign, fake Software, updater, Trojan, Download System Software from unknown sources and other tricky ways.

Removal : To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove 259 ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete 259 ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove 259 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 259 ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with 259 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 259 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 259 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 259 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 259 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 259 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 259 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 259 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 259 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.