How to remove Gcahvv Ransomware and recover encrypted files

Complete Gcahvv Ransomware removal guide

Gcahvv Ransomware is a huge risk computer infection, belongs to Snatch ransomware family. It encrypts stored files and demands ransom payment for the decryption. During encryption, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files with .gcahvv extension. For example, a file named 1.jpg would appear something similar to 1.jpg.gcahvv. Once the encryption process is completed, the ransomware drops HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.txt file and drops it on each compromised folder.

The created .txt file informs people about files encryption and instructs them to initiate communication with the crooks behind Gcahvv Ransomware to get the encrypted files back in the earlier accessible condition. Victims need to do so via the provided email address. If they get no responsive as a reply from the first email, they need to resend the letters using the secondary email addresses provided in the note. They can test the capability of the decryption tool by providing up to 3 encrypted files. According to the note, free decryption of such files would be provided. The message also warns users not to rename the filenames of the encrypted files as this will result into permanent data loss. Here is the full text presented on the .txt file dropped by Gcahvv Ransomware:

Hello! All your files are encrypted and only we can decrypt them.

Contact us: [email protected] or [email protected]

Write us if you want to return your files – we can do it very quickly!

The header of letter must contain extension of encrypted files.

We always reply within 24 hours. If not – check spam folder, resend your letter or try send letter from another email service (like protonmail.com).

Attention!

Do not rename or edit encrypted files: you may have permanent data loss.

Do not edit or delete any virtual machines files

To prove that we can recover your files, we am ready to decrypt any three files (less than 1Mb) for free (except databases, Excel and backups).

HURRY UP!

If you do not email us in the next 48 hours then your data may be lost permanently.

In most of the cases with ransomware infection, files recovery is not possible without the involvement of the crooks behind them. It might be when there is a flaw/bug detected with the ransomware. Regardless of the cases, users should never contact/pay to the crooks under any circumstances. These people will never provide the decryption tool. Thus, people who pay the ransom fee will experience financial loss and will have their files remain in encrypted form. The best way to deal with this situation is to remove Gcahvv Ransomware and recover the files using existing backups. The malware removal is necessary to prevent further files encryption. However, its removal will not decrypt already encrypted files. You need to use existing backups for this or can other options such as Volume Shadow Copies or data recovery tools- refer below the post under the data recovery section for complete files recovery steps. There you will also find both manual as well as automatic way to perform Gcahvv Ransomware removal.

How did Gcahvv Ransomware intrude in?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed through scam campaigns, Trojans, fake software updaters, illegal activation tools and untrustworthy downloading sources. Scam campaigns are used to send spam emails with infectious files or links for such files embedded with them as attachments, if clicked -the malware download/ installation process is triggered. Trojans are malicious apps that are especially designed to download/ install malware. Fake software updaters exploit bugs/flaws of outdated software or directly download malware instead of providing updates. Illegal activation tools infect computers by allegedly bypassing activation keys for paid software. Untrustworthy downloading channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/installers spread malware by presenting it as legit software.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Software and files should be downloaded from only official websites and direct links. None of the aforementioned untrustworthy downloading channels should be used. Similarly, use only official software developers’ tools/ functions for any software update/ activation. Third party updaters/ activation tools are often used to spread malware. Also, it is not legal to use any unofficial activation tools to activate software. Irrelevant and suspicious emails should never be opened, especially the provided attachments in them. And finally, have a reputable antivirus tool and keep it updated. Also, use this tool for regular system scans and to remove any detected threats.

Remove Gcahvv Ransomware fully

Below, you will find complete guide to remove Gcahvv Ransomware from the system. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. There you will also find complete guide to perform files recovery on the device.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Gcahvv Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Gcahvv Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Gcahvv 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 Gcahvv Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with 259 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 Gcahvv 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 Gcahvv 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 Gcahvv 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 259 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 259 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 259 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 Gcahvv 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 Gcahvv 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.