How to remove Combo13 ransomware and recover encrypted files

Complete tips to delete Combo13 ransomware and restore data

Combo13 ransomware is a ransomware that encrypts stored files and demand ransom payment for the decryption. During the encryption process, it appends the filenames of each encrypted file with “[[email protected]].combo13” extension. After that, it drops a pop-up window and creates FILES ENCRYPTED.txt file.

The .txt file simply states that the victims’ files have been locked. It instructs them to write an email to the crooks behind it- to recover the files. The text presented in the pop-up window provides slightly more information. It clarifies that the data have been encrypted. Further, it repeats that contact with the crooks must be established – to initiate the files recovery process. If no response is received from crooks within 12 hours, the victims are to use the secondary email address. The message is concluded with a warning that the renaming the encrypted files and/or attempting to decrypt them using third party software/ tool – will result into permanent data loss.

Full text presented in the pop-up window:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

Don’t worry,you can return all your files!

If you want to restore them, write to the mail: [email protected] YOUR ID –

If you have not answered by mail within 12 hours, write to us by another mail:[email protected]

!ATTENTION!

We recommend you contact us directly to avoid overpaying agents

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.

Text presented in FILES.ENCRYPTED.txt file:

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

write email [email protected] or [email protected] 

In most cases with ransomware infections, without the involvement of the crooks behind it- the decryption is not possible. It might be when the malware is at development stage or has some bugs/ flaws in them. Whatever be the case, it is strongly recommended against meeting the ransom demands. Despite paying, the crooks provide no decryption tool. So, they suffer financial loss and their files remain encrypted. To prevent the further files encryption, Combo13 ransomware removal is strongly recommended to you.

However the ransomware removal will not decrypt the encrypted data. The only solution is to use the existing backup and restore them to the earlier accessible condition. If there is no backup available, see if Shadow Copies exist- below the post in the data recovery section you will find complete step-by-step guide to recover the files using shadow copies. Data recovery tools are other data recovery alternatives for you. These tools are nowadays designed with special functionalities added and so you can anticipate files recovery using them.

How did Combo13 ransomware infiltrate my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed through spam campaigns –large scale operations during which thousands of spam emails are designed and delivered. These letters contain infectious files or links for such files in them. The virulent files can be in any forms including PDFs, Archives, JavaScript, Microsoft Office documents and so on. When these files are executed, run or otherwise opened – the infection process is jumpstarted.

Malicious programs are usually disguised as and/or bundled with ordinary software and are distributed via untrustworthy downloading channels such as free file hosting sites, p2p networks, and other third party downloaders. Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are prime examples of that. Cracking tools infect systems instead of activating licensed products. Fake updating tools infect systems by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software or by directly download malware instead of providing updates.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

To avoid the system infection through spam emails, it is advised against opening suspicious and irrelevant emails –especially any attachments or website links in them. It is recommended to use only official websites and direct links. Additionally, all programs have to be activated and updated with tools/ functions provided by legitimate developers. To ensure the device integrity and personal safety, it is crucial to have a reputable antivirus tool installed and updated. Also, use this software for regular system scans and to remove any detected threats.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Combo13 ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Combo13 ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Combo13 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 Combo13 ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Combo13 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 Combo13 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 Combo13 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 Combo13 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 Combo13 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 Combo13 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 Combo13 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 Combo13 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 Combo13 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.