How to remove Flow Ransomware and recover encrypted files
What is Flow Ransomware?
Flow Ransomware is a ransomware type infection. This type of applications encode all non-system files including images, audios, videos, images, documents, presentations and etc, making them inaccessible. Afterwards, they drop ransom demanding message for the data decryption. However, .flow file virus is not known to drop a ransom note, at the time being.
More about Flow Ransomware
Like other ransomware viruses, Flow Ransomware might spread its infection via payload dropper that initiates the malware download/installation process of the ransomware. The virus might also distribute its payload through social media and file-sharing sites. Freeware apps and spam email attachment can even be presented as helpful for hiding the malicious script of the virus. Once virus makes entries, first of all, it modifies the window registry, launches and repairs system processes and conducts various other crucial changes to the system settings to create the path for its main encryption process.
After settling down, Flow starts scanning the stored files using particular extensions and encoding them with some cipher encryption algorithm that allows the crooks to create a key/code to lock them. During the encryption process, the virus also appends the filenames with its own name as extension. For example, you would see the file 1.jpg as 1.jpg.flowencryption. It is common behavior of any ransomware to send ransom note rightly after this to put ransom demand to the users for the decryption too that the developers have. However, with this case, there is no such file found to be created by the threat.
How to react in this situation?
Even though, there is any such ransom note the Flow Ransomware creates, you should ignore them as the crooks are typically not going to provide the decryptor. They disappear leaving the victims without their files, once receiving the ransom fee. Therefore, you should always search for any alternatives for the data recovery. Before this, you must perform full system scan so as to remove Flow Ransomware to avoid various associated risk to the system and the individual. After the ransomware removal, use existing backup for the data recovery. If you have no such files, you need to check once whether volume shadow copies are available on the device or not. This is a recovery option available on the system that some ransomware threats do not affect during the system attack and the files encryption process. Data recovery tool is another data recovery option available for you. Such tools are now designed with added various functionalities and so you can anticipate for the files recovery using such tools, as well.
A Quick Glance of Flow Ransomware
Type: Crypto-virus, Data-locker, Ransomware
Extensions: .Flowextension
Symptoms: The infected files become inaccessible. An unusual extension is added in the file and a ransom note appears on the screen every now and then
Distribution methods: infected email attachments, torrent sites and malicious ads
Damages: Risk of password stealing Trojan or other dangerous virus intrusion that cause direct damage to the system/software installed
Removal and File Decryption: In order to clean the PC, it is advised to scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. Once the malware is removed, the files stored in the PC hard-disk are safe. Now, you can take step to retrieve these files. Using the backup files is the easiest way to retrieve the files but unfortunately most of us don’t have the backup data. In such situation, use a data recovery tool. These days, recovery software is coming with special features to retrieve the damaged or locked files by ransomware.
Ways to prevent ransomware infection
As per cyber security experts, ransomware viruses are commonly distributed by using spam emails. The virus is often hidden in a link or attachment in such emails. The letters are presented as are coming from reliable company such as DHL or FedEx. Therefore, you should manage your emails that you receive on Inbox. The best way to do is to check the sender name his/her email address and search written text for possible grammatical mistakes. If the message comes from any unknown, suspicious deliverer or includes any grammatical mistakes, you should delete it right away without even considering opening any attachment provided on it even if how important it appears as. Additionally, ransomware infections can get delivered through other sources like p2p networks that include software crack. The malware could be camouflaged as some fake update for software, as well. So, better to upgrade software using official software developers’ tools and functions only and also use the official, trustworthy, verified sources for any software download.
Remove Flow 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 Flow Ransomware from the system.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Flow Ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
Antimalware Details And User Guide
Step 1: Remove Flow Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”
Step 2: Delete Flow Ransomware using “System Restore”
Step 1: Remove Flow 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 Flow Ransomware using “System Restore”
Log-in to the account infected with Flow Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Flow Ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
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 Flow 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 Flow 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 Flow 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 Flow 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 Flow 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 Flow 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 Flow 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 Flow 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.
Step 3: Follow all on screen instructions to install the app successfully on your machine and run it.. When its interface appear before you. Just select what you want to recover from your computer and its drive. For options, check the image below as the app offer you to recover everything, document, folders or emails, or multimedia files. Depending upon your requirements, select any of options and proceed to next step.
Step 4: At this step, you will have to specify the past of data or files from where you are interested to recover lost or deleted data. The application offers you to recover data from common locations, connected drives, and other locations as well. Just choose what you need. Following selection, click on Next button and the app will start to scan the selected drive.
Step 5: Once the scanner finishes to scan, it will show you detected kinds of deleted data or files which you may require to recover. It will offer you various recovery options based on file types. Even it allows you to see preview of file types you select in order to recover those efficiently.
Step 6: Now, you may need to specify the path where you want to recover the selected files and saved. Just do it according to your requirements, and you are done.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Flow Ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
