How to remove Cum ransomware and recover encrypted files

Easy tips to delete Cum ransomware and restore data

Cum ransomware is a ransomware-type infection belongs to Dharma ransomware group. The malware blocks users’ access to their files by encrypting them and generates a ransom note to provide contact, payment and other information for alleged files recovery.  During the process of files encryption, it appends the filenames of each of the encrypted files with this pattern: victim’s ID, [email protected] email address, and the “.cum” extension. For example, a file named 1.jpg would appear something similar to “1.jpg.id-C279F237.[[email protected]].cum”, “2.jpg” to “2.jpg.id-C279F237.[[email protected]].cum”, and so on.

Rightly after that, the ransomware drops a pop-up window and creates info.txt text file as the ransom notes. It provides instructions on how to contact the attackers and warns them not to rename the files or try to decrypt them using third-party tools as this may lead to permanent data loss. For the communication purpose, both the ransom notes instruct users to write an email to the attackers to an email [email protected] or [email protected], and wait for further instructions. Typically, after contacted, the victims receive a Bitcoin wallet address and the amount of the cryptocurrency that they need to pay for the decryption tool.

In usual cases with system infection with ransomware type infection, victims cannot decrypt their files f or free unless there is a free decryption tool available for download on the internet or the installed malware has some bugs/ flaws in it. However, most ransomware variants use strong cipher algorithm for the files encryption and therefore it is impossible to decrypt files without a tool that the crooks behind the ransomware have. However, it is strongly not recommended to contact/ pay them – these people are not reliable. They will never provide you the decryption tool even if you fulfill all their demands.

The best you can do in such a case is to remove Cum ransomware and recover the files using existing backup you have. The malware removal is necessary to prevent further files encryptions. Also, this is crucial to avoid major damages that the longer presence of the virus may cause to the system. However, this process will not decrypt the already encrypted files. For this, you need to use the existing backup. If this option is not available, take the help of shadow copies and data recovery tools- refer our data recovery section below the post for more detailed data recovery guide.

How did Cum ransomware infiltrate my system?

Ransomware and other malware are often distributed through Trojans, mal-spam emails, unreliable channels for downloading software or files, fake software updaters and unofficial software activation tools. Trojans can be designed to install additional malware. Mal-spam emails are used to deliver malware through attachments or website links. The main aim of the malspam is to trick users into opening malicious files designed to install malware. Examples of the files attached are  malicious Microsoft Office, PDF documents, JavaScript files, ZIP, RAR (and other) archive files, and executable files (like .exe, .run).

Files that the users download through p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers can be used to distribute malware too. Crooks use these channels to trick users into downloading malicious files by disguising them as legit and regular. Third party, fake software updaters can infect systems by installing malicious malware directly or by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software. Unofficial software activation tools cause system infections by supposedly bypassing activation keys of paid software.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Attachments and links any irrelevant emails received from suspicious, unknown addresses should never be opened, clicked. It is common that crooks behind e mails of this kind impersonate legit companies to trick users into opening malicious files. Installed apps should be updated/ activated using official software developers’ tools/ functions. Further, files and programs should always be downloaded from official, trustworthy sites or via direct links. It is not safe to open files downloaded from third party downloaders, unofficial web pages, p2p networks and etc.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Cum ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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