How to remove CLEAN ransomware and recover files

Complete tips to delete CLEAN ransomware and decrypt data

CLEAN ransomware is a ransomware-type infection that is designed by crooks with the purpose to force victims into pay a ransom by locking their files and preventing access to them. They demand the ransom for releasing these files. They claim to provide a decryption tool for the files recovery, once the payment is done.

The encrypted files with CLEAN ransomware can be recognized with .CLEAN extension. Being a variant of DHARMA ransomware group and like other ransomware viruses of this family, CLEAN also attaches victim’s ID number and crooks’ email address with it.

 Ransom note is dropped once the files encryption process is complete. Ransom note is displayed within FILES ENCRYPTED.txt text file. Also, CLEAN ransomware opens a pop-up window as well with the text with ransom demand.

The text message just informs the victims that their files have been locked and they need to write emails to [email protected] or [email protected] for the files recovery. The pop-up window provides slightly more information.

It is the pop-up window that clarifies the victims about files encryption. Additionally, it warns users not to rename their files or use third party tools as this will render the permanent data loss. For the files recovery, it repeats the same that the users need to write an email to the crooks.

It is likely that you would receive the payment details with instructions once after the contact. We recommend you not to pay the demanded sum as there is no guarantee that you will get the decryption tool once the payment is submitted.

For the files recovery, you should think of possible alternatives. Existing backups will be the best option in such cases for files recovery. However, you don’t need to be upset when you have no such backups available.

In the data recovery section, we will guide more than one data recovery options for you with complete step-by-step guide. As for now, you should concern about the system infection and remove CLEAN ransomware right away to avoid major damages.

In the post below, you will find easy step-by-step guide how you perform CLEAN ransomware removal with an ease. Carefully perform each step to successfully get rid of the infection. Upon virus removal, use the backups you have and if not follow our data recovery section to recover or at least attempt to recover the files till the official decryption tool available.

How did CLEAN ransomware enter my system?

There are different ways to distribute malicious software. The most popular method is to send spam emails containing infectious files or links for such files in them. Crooks disguise these emails as letters from legit companies, organizations or other entities and wait till the users click, open these files.

Usually, Trojans are designed as legit programs – users download and install them inadvertently. Once installed, these viruses cause additional malware download/ installation. Furthermore, malware can also be distributed through untrustworthy downloading channels.

Examples of untrustworthy channels include p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers. Users infect their systems when they download and execute malicious files. it is common that crooks distribute malware through software cracking tools as well.

These tools are supposed to activate software so that users would not have to pay for the software. However, it is very common that these tools to have some malicious code injected with them. One more popular way is to trick people into using fake software updaters.

These fake updating tools appear to be like legit updaters. They cause malware installation in regular way or infect systems via bugs/ flaws of installed software which is outdated. Either way, the fake updaters do not fix or update any legit software.

Text presented in CLEAN ransomware’s 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.

Full text presented in FILES ENCRYPTED.txt text file:

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

write email [email protected] or [email protected]

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Software should always be downloaded from official, trustworthy sites and via direct links. Attachments and website links in any irrelevant emails received from unknown should never be opened. Installed software should have to be updated and activated using tools/ functions from legit developers.

Additionally, a computer should be scanned for threats on regular basis. This is recommended to be done using some reputable antivirus tool. If the system is already infected with CLEAN ransomware, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove it from the system.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete CLEAN ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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