How to remove Blocking (Aleta) ransomware and recover encrypted files

Easy tips to delete Blocking (Aleta) ransomware and restore data

Blocking (Aleta) ransomware is an updated variant of Aleta ransomware. The malware is designed to encrypt stored files and then demands ransom payment for the decryption. During encryption process, the files are appended with .blocking extension, plus crooks’ email address attached to it. For example, a file originally named 1jpg would become “1.jpg.[[email protected]].blocking” – following encryption. Following to this, the ransomware creates “!#_READ_ME_#!.inf” –and drops it on each folder containing encrypted files. Additionally, the ransomware changes the desktop wallpaper.

The text presented in the desktop wallpaper informs the victims that their files have been encrypted and if they want to recover them they have to obtain the decryption tool and software from the crooks behind the infection. The decryption tool will be available only for 36 hours and before this time elapsed contact the crooks via the provided email. The text presented in the “!#_READ_ME_#!.inf” – file clarifies that the victims have to purchase the decryption tool. The price of this tool depends on how fast te users initiate the communication with the crooks. It is specified that the ransom should have to be paid in Bitcoin only.

Prior to the payment, the victims are asked to send up to three encrypted files which should be less than 1 MB in size and contain no valuable information. The victims are warned that the renaming the encrypted files and/or attempting to decrypt them using  third party software  will result into permanent data loss. In most of the cases with system infection with ransomware viruses, the files decryption is not possible without the involvement of the crooks behind it. It might be when the ransomware is at its initial stage or has certain bug/ flaw in them. Whatever the case, it is strongly not recommended to pay/contact to the crooks. Despite paying, victims often receive no decryption tool. Thus, they suffer financial loss and have their files remain encrypted.

Therefore, you should think of some alternative for the files recovery. The best way is to remove Blocking (Aleta) ransomware and recover the files using existing backup. The malware removal is necessary to avoid further files encryption. However, this process will not decrypt already encrypted files. For this, you have to rely on existing backup you have, Shadow Copies designed by OS automatically or third party data recovery tools. Below the post, you will find more detailed data recovery guide. There, you will also easy step-by-step guide to delete Blocking (Aleta) ransomware from system.

How did Blocking (Aleta) ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often disguised or bundled with regular software and distributed through dubious downloading channels such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks, third party downloaders/ installers and so on. Illegal activation tools and fake updaters are prime examples of malware-proliferating content. Cracks cause system infection instead of activating licensed software. Fake software updaters infect systems by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software and/or by installing malicious programs rather than the promised updates.

Malware can be distributed through spam campaign- mass scale operating during which thousands of spam emails are designed and delivered. These letters have virulent files attached to and/or linked inside them. The virulent files could be in any formats including archives, executables, and Microsoft Office and PDF documents, JavaScript and so on. When these files are executed, run or otherwise opened – the malware download/ installation process is triggered.

Text presented in Blocking (Aleta) ransomware‘s desktop wallpaper:

ALETA RANSOMWARE

Your important files produced on this computer have been encrypted!

The only way to decrypt your files is to receive the private-key and decryption program.

To receive the private-key and decryption program write us to the e-mail: [email protected] and attach your ID

You can find it in READ_ME file

ATTENTION!

If you not write on e-mail in 36 hours your key has been deleted and you cant decrypt your files

Text presented in Blocking (Aleta) ransomware‘s text file (“!#_READ_ME_#!.inf”):

[WHAT HAPPENED]

Your important files produced on this computer have been encrypted due a security problem

If you want to restore them, write us to the 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 decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

[FREE DECRYPTION AS GUARANTEE]

Before paying you can send to us up to 3 files for free decryption.

Please note that files must NOT contain valuable information

and their total size must be less than 1Mb

[HOW TO OBTAIN BITCOINS]

The easiest way to buy bitcoin is LocalBitcoins site.

You have to register, click Buy bitcoins and select the seller

by payment method and price

hxxps://localbitcoins.com/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

If you not write on e-mail in 36 hours – your key has been deleted and you cant decrypt your files

Your ID:

–

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Always download software from official and verified sources. Additionally, all programs should have to be activated and updated using tools/ functions from legit developers. To avoid the system infection through spam emails, it is advised to exercise caution with incoming emails. Suspicious and irrelevant emails should not be opened, especially any attachments or website links in them. It is crucial to have a reputable antivirus tool installed and updated. This software should have to be updated and used for regular system scans to remove potential threats manage to infiltrate systems. If Blocking (Aleta) ransomware already running inside, we recommend you run a full system scan using some powerful antivirus tool to remove it right away.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Blocking (Aleta) ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Blocking (Aleta) ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Blocking (Aleta) 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 Blocking (Aleta) ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Blocking (Aleta) 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 Blocking (Aleta) 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 Blocking (Aleta) 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 Blocking (Aleta) 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 Blocking (Aleta) 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 Blocking (Aleta) 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 Blocking (Aleta) 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 Blocking (Aleta) 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 Blocking (Aleta) 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.