How to remove Baxter ransomware and retrieve data

Easy guide to delete Baxter ransomware and decrypt files

Ransomware-type viruses are used by crooks to block users’ access to their crucial files until the ransom is paid. The malware of this kind blocks access by performing files encryption. It is common that the ransomware renames the encrypted files by appending its extension to their filenames. The Baxter ransomware renames the files using [email protected] email address, a string of random characters, and the “.baxter” extension. For instance, a file 1.jpg would be renamed as “1.jpg.[[email protected]][MJ-LM3429175608].baxter”, “2.jpg” as “2.jpg.[[email protected]][MJ-LM3429175608].baxter”, and so on. Upon that, the ransomware creates “Decrypt-info.txt” as its ransom note- it can be found in all folders containing encrypted data. This ransomware is a part of VoidCrypt ransomware group.

Usually, ransom notes created by ransomware viruses contain the instruction how to contact to the crooks behind it and the purchasing details such as the price of the decryption tool, Bitcoin wallet address where the transaction is to be made and so on. In some cases, the victims also receive deadline and are warned about the consequences of the not paying the ransom. The Baxter ransomware’s ransom note informs the victims that they need to pay a ransom in Bitcoin to get the files back. To receive the BTC wallet address and price of a decryption tool, the victims are asked to send “prvkey*.txt.key” which can be located in “C:\ProgramData\” folder to the provided email address. An alternative way to establish the communication is to write an message on Telegram to user named @karuus. The ransom note offers free decryption of 1 encrypted file as a proof that the decryption is possible and the crooks can be trusted.

In most cases, the attackers are the only people who have the right decryption tool. However, it is strongly not recommended to pay ransom them as these people are not reliable – they often provide no decryption tool even if all their demands are met. To avoid getting scammed, you should think of some alternatives for the files recovery. The best way to deal with this case is to remove Baxter ransomware and recover the files using existing backups. The malware removal is necessary to prevent it from further files encryption. However, the virus removal will not decrypt already encrypted files. For this, you have to rely on existing backups or other alternatives such as Shadow Copies and data recovery tools – check below the post for detailed guide on the files recovery. There, you will also find easy tips to delete Baxter ransomware from system.

How did Baxter ransomware intrude in my system?

It is common that users infect systems with malware through spam emails, fake software updaters, file downloaded through untrustworthy sources, Trojans and unofficial software activation tools. They install malware through spam emails when they open malicious attachments or a file downloaded via a website links. Examples of the files that the crooks can use to deliver malware are Microsoft Office documents, or PDF documents, ZIP, RAR or other archive files, executable files (like .exe), JavaScript files. It is important to note that these emails appear to be important, urgent letters from reputable entities.

Fake software updaters infect systems by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software or by installing malware in a standard way. Files and programs downloaded from p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers can be malicious too. To trick people into downloading them, the crooks disguise them as legitimate. It is important to mention that third-party installers can be used to distribute malware as well. There are certain Trojans that can cause chain infection on already compromised systems. Software cracking tools are third-party tools that activate licensed software, although these tools are malicious.

Text presented in Baxter ransomware‘s text file (“Decrypt-info.txt”):

All Your Files Has Been Encrypted

You Have to Pay to Get Your Files Back

1-Go to C:\ProgramData\ or in Your other Drives   and send us prvkey*.txt.key  file ,  *  might be a number (like this : prvkey3.txt.key)

2-You can send some file little than 1mb for Decryption test to trust us But the test File should not contain valuable data

3-Payment should be with Bitcoin

4-Changing Windows without saving prvkey.txt.key file will cause permanete Data loss

Our Email:[email protected]

in Case of no Answer:telegram id: @karuus

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Third party downloaders/ installers, p2p networks, unofficial websites, free file hosting sites and etc- should never be used as tools, channels to download any files and programs. It is recommended to download software from legit, official websites and via direct links. Irrelevant emails received from unknown, suspicious senders and containing links or attachments should never be clicked. They often distribute malware through the files/ links within them. Installed software should have to be updated/ activated using tools/ functions from legit developers. Third party/ unofficial tools should never be trusted/ used.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Baxter ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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