How to remove Cov19 ransomware (Data recovery guide)

Easy way to delete Cov19 ransomware

Cov19 ransomware is a deadly computer infection, belongs to Scarab ransomware family. Users whose device got infected with this malware had difficulties in accessing the crucial files including images, audios, videos, documents, presentations etc. This malware encrypts them using some strong cipher algorithm, making it mandate for the users to use a unique key/code for decoding them.

During encryption, it appends the filenames of the encoded files with this pattern: random character string and the .cov19 extension. For example, a file named 1.jpg would appear similar to 7QucYQjs1w48jA.cov19. Rightly after the encryption process is completed, the ransomware drops a ransom note -TO RECOVER.TXT and drops it on each contaminated files. This file contains data recovery information and ransom payment instruction from the crooks behind it. Read the article throughout to know why you should ignore negotiating to the crooks and should use some data recovery alternatives for the data recovery after removing Cov19 ransomware from the system.

Threat Summary

Name: Cov19 ransomware

Threat Type: Ransomware

Extension use: .cov19 extension preceded by a random character string

Ransom demanding note: TO RECOVER.TXT

Cyber criminals’ contact: [email protected]

Detected names: Avast (Win32:Trojan-gen), BitDefender (DeepScan:Generic.Ransom.Amnesia.318762F7), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/Filecoder.FS), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Generic), and many others

Symptoms: Cannot open the files stored on the device, previous functional files now have a different extension. A ransom demand message is displayed on the desktop. Cyber criminals demand payment of a ransom to for unlocking the files

Additional information: This malware is designed to show a fake Windows Update Window and modify the Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing security websites online

Distribution methods: Infected email attachments (macros), torrent websites, malicious ads, unofficial activation and updating tools

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be opened without paying a ransom. Additional password stealing Trojan or other malware infections can be installed together with a ransomware infection

Malware removal: Use some reputable antivirus tool or follow manual malware removal guide provided below the post to remove Cov19 ransomware from the device

Files recovery: Existing backup is the safe and secure option to get the files back in the original accessible condition. Other data recovery options include Volume Shadow Copy or data recovery tools -check the data removal section below the post for the step by step guide for performing them

More about Cov19 ransomware

Cov19 ransomware is a ransomware that runs in stages to perform its primitive data encryption process. Very initially, after the successful infiltration, it changes the settings of installed browsers to gain activation power or say ability to activate with each OS reboot automatically. So, it activates once the PC is on and runs on the background continually doing various malicious activities in order to create the path for the encryption. One of such activity is adding malicious files or processes to the Task Manager to perform scanning of the files for the encryption. After settling down, the ransomware does its encryption process and encrypts all the files result as the scan using some strong cipher algorithm. It marks its own extension to the filenames of infected files. Following to this, it drops the ransom demanding message in a file named TO RECOVER.TXT.

The TO RECOVER.TXT file informs the users that their data have been encrypted. The note warns users not attempt to manual data decryption, perform any modification to the encrypted files and running any antivirus tool -this may lead to permanent data loss. To restore the files, the victims are asked to establish a contact to the crooks behind Cov19 ransomware. The note states, these crooks have the unique decryption tool that helps in the data decryption. The users are asked certain amount of fee for the tool. Prior to the payment, they are offered to send up to three encrypted files to the criminals. The total size of these files for the test must not exceed 5MB and should not contain any valuable information. The message ends with the similar warning to those provided in the note. Here is the text message presented on the TO RECOVER.TXT file:

Hello.

Many vulnerabilities detected on your server.

Because of this, all your files have been encrypted with the strongest encryption.

All attempts to decrypt files on their own will lead to data corruption.

Antivirus operation can permanently damage files.

Gather information about identifiers and send it by mail.

Remember that your keys are not stored for long and can be automatically deleted.

No data recovery company can recover it. Recovery company will be contacted by we on the indicated mail.

For information on decoding, please write to the e-mail [email protected]

Your files are now encrypted!

Your personal identifier:

–

Now you should send us email with your personal identifier.

Contact us using this email address: [email protected]

Free decryption as guarantee!

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

The total size of files must be less than 5Mb (non archived), and files should not contain

valuable information (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.).

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.

Should I contact/pay to the crooks?

In many cases with ransomware infections, decryption is impossible without interference of the individuals responsible. It may, if the malware has significant bugs/flaws and/or is still in the development stage. Whatever be the case, you are highly recommended against communicating with and/or paying cybercriminals. As often, despite paying the demanded sum, the users do not receive the decryption tool. In other word, the users who follow ransom payment instruction, will suffer financial loss and will have their files remained in the encrypted form. Thus, you should use some data recovery alternatives.

Possible data recovery ways

At present, there has yet the official tool for the Cov19 ransomware to be released. Meanwhile, you can try some other data recovery alternatives that could in the form of existing backup, Volume Shadow Copy or any data recovery tool. Getting back the files in the previously accessible condition using the existing backup files is the safest option. But, the problem is that, not all users have created such a backup file. In such a case, the other option Shadow Volume Copy might help them in data recovery. Check below the post in the data recovery section for the step by step guide to restore the files using Shadow Volume Copy. In some cases, this free backup option created by OS for short time is deleted by ransomware in making the decryption process harder. So, if Cov19 ransomware had removed this option for you, you can use some data recovery tool. Nowadays, such tools are designed with special functionality added and so you can anticipate the data recovery using them.

How did ransomware infiltrate in?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are usually distributed via using spam campaigns, Trojans, illegal activation tools, illegitimate updates and untrustworthy download channels. Spam campaigns are used to send deceptive emails on a mass scale. Such letters usually have infectious files to or links inside them. These files come in variety of formats including PDF and Microsoft Office Documents, archives, executables, JavaScript etc, if opened – it initiates the infection process. Trojans are malicious malware that are especially designed to download and install other malware. Cracking tools cause infection by supposedly bypassing activation key for paid software. Fake updates infect systems by abusing weaknesses of outdated products and/or by simply installing malicious software instead of the promised update. Untrustworthy channels like free file hosting sites, p2p networks and other third party downloaders could be a source for malware distribution. These channels are used to spread malware by presenting it as legit and important software.

How to prevent ransomware intrusion?

To avoid malware infections through spam emails, you require not opening any suspicious and/or irrelevant emails -especially, any attachments or links clipped on them. It is important to download and install software from official and verified channels. Additionally, any products should be activated and updated using the tools/functions from official software developers. To protect the device and user safety, it is also important to have a reputable antivirus tool installed and updated. This tool can be used for performing regular scan and removing detected threats and issues.

Remove Cov19 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 Cov19 ransomware from the system.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Cov19 ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Cov19 ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Cov19 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 Cov19 ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Cov19 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 Cov19 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 Cov19 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 Cov19 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 Cov19 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 Cov19 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 Cov19 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 Cov19 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 Cov19 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.