How to remove BANG ransomware (data recovery guide)

Easy steps to delete BANG ransomware

BANG ransomware is a malicious computer infection, detected as a ransomware. It belongs to the infamous Dharma ransomware family. This malware encrypts stored files and demands ransom payment for the decryption. During the encryption process, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files using .BANG extension (plus victims’ associated ID number and cybercriminals’ email address). For example, a file named 1.jpg would appear as 1.jpg.id-1E857D00.[[email protected]].BANG.  Rightly after the infection, the ransomware creates a text file -FILES ENCRYPTED.txt and displays a pop-up window. Both of them contain similar information -the message is about the data decryption and ransom payment from the crooks. Rather than accepting their request, you should approach to the authentic way to deal this situation. In this article, you will be guided how you can recover the damaged or locked without paying ransom to them and how to remove the BANG ransomware infection.

More about BANG ransomware

This malware intrudes in silently inside a device without users’ consent. It may be spread via payload dropper that initiates malicious script of the ransomware. This payload may be spread on some payload file or social media or file sharing services. Freeware apps that are presented as helpful could be helpful in hiding the payload. After the install, the malware conducts malicious modifications to the system settings to create the path to perform its primitive data encryption process. Some system alterations allow it to activate with each OS reboot, while others help in scanning the files for the encryption.

In addition, the BANG ransomware allows the malicious actors to use the personal information and use them in design unique ID number for each victim individually. To remote access to the device means the hackers can inject other malicious malware as well. Thus, the ransomware infection creates the huge risk to the system security and personal safety both. In order to harden the process of the decryption, the malware deletes the internal backups, may even the shadow copies. Once all such activities are done, it starts the encryption process and encodes the files found after the scan with some cipher algorithm. The encryption allows the crooks to create unique key/code of decryption associated to each victim, making them dependent on the threat actors for getting the files in the decrypted form.

The crooks take the advantage of this and start blackmailing the victims to pay certain amount of fee for the decryption tool they have. Users get this information from the ransom note in a text file that soon appears after the encryption. It informs the users to contact to the crooks via the provided email address to get the decryotor. When contacted, they are likely to be provided much information like how much to pay, how to use it and so on. Prior to the payment, the users are asked to send a few encrypted files as a test the decryption tool. The message ends with a warning to the users that if they use any third party tool for the decryption or rename the encrypted files, they will lose the files for permanently. Here is the full text presented on the text message and 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.

Why you should against paying the ransom?

We recommend you not pay/contact to the crooks behind BANG ransomware. There is a big reason in this- you might get scammed after the payment. The crooks may disappear leaving you without your files. In such a case, you will suffer financial loss and your files will remain in the encrypted form. If you want get the files safely, you should use some data recovery alternatives -check the below subsection for this. However before this, you should remove BANG ransomware from the system so that it will not interfere during the data recovery process. Also, the removal will prevent further files encryption and avoid various risks associated with the infection.

How to recover the locked files?

Use existing backup to restore the locked files in the earlier accessible condition. The problem is that not all people have such backup files -that were created before the files encryption and stored on some remote location than the infected device. In such a case, Volume Shadow Copy would be another option for you. However, as we know, there is a little chance of such free backup could to be found on the OS after BANG ransomware attack (you can check whether this option is available for you or not using the guide provided below the post in the data recovery section). If this option is also not available for you, the only option left for you for the data recovery is to use data recovery tools. Such tools are nowadays designed with special functionality added and therefore you can anticipate of the data recovery using them.

Threat Summary

Type: Ransomware

Extension use:  .BANG (files are also appended with a unique ID and cyber criminals’ email address)

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

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

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 BANG ransomware from the system

How did ransomware infect my computer?

Various deceptive distributions channels are possible for BANG ransomware distribution. Some of them include Trojans, Spam campaigns, illegal activation (cracking) tools, fake updates and dubious download channels. Trojans are malicious programs that cause chain infections, meaning download/install additional malware. Spam campaigns are large scale operations, used by crooks to spread deceptive emails. Such emails have infectious links or files clipped as attachment, if clicked- the users end up to malware download at the end. Illegal activation tools can download/install malware instead of activating license product. Fake updating tools cause infectious by abusing flaws/bugs of outdated products or by simply installing malware rather than providing promised updates. Free file hosting sites, peer-to-peer sharing networks, third party downloaders and other untrustworthy downloading channels can inadvertently cause malware download by supposedly presenting them as legit software.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

In order to prevent BANG ransomware intrusion in future, you need to be very cautious during the web session, especially during the software download/install and update. Always choose official websites and direct links and avoid any untrustworthy channels as stated above. For the software update and activation, rely on only official software developers’ tools and implemented functions. Stay away from clicking on any email attachments, especially to those emails whose senders’ addresses seem suspicious. For betterment, employ some antivirus tool that provides adequate protection to the device.

Remove BANG 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 BANG ransomware from the system.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete BANG ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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