How To Remove Geminis ransomware And Restore Infected Data

Proper Guide To Delete Geminis ransomware From System

Geminis ransomware is another highly dangerous crypto-malware which tends to encrypt users’ crucial files and documents and then extort huge amount of ransom money from them. First discovered by security analyst dnwls0719, this hazardous ransomware is able to intrude any Windows PCs without users’ approval and then make several unwanted changes in default system’s settings. It locks the targeted files such as images, videos, audios, PDFs etc. using a strong cryptography and also appends “.geminis3” extension with the name of each of them. After that, opening the compromised data becomes impossible for you without using the decryption tool that is kept on attackers’ server.

Once the encryption process is completed, Geminis ransomware drops a ransom note titled “README.txt” on the desktop and informs you about the unkind situation. It also states that to regain access to the compromised files, victims need to contact the attackers via the email address provided with the note. Crooks ask you to pay them an amount of 0.1 BTC (BitCoin cryptocurrency) which is approx. $780 at the time of writing, in order to get the decryption tool and open the locked files. The note ends with a warning message stating that trying to run this program again will overwrite this which will cause the deletion of decryption key, and hence, retrieving the locked files will be impossible.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

————- Geminis3’s(R) Ransominator(TM) v1.1 ————-

Your personal files have been encrypted with “military grade” encryption and that’s not a good thing (evil laughs in the bg)

In order to recover your files you MUST buy our “Gimme Ma Files Back (TM)” tool for just 0.1 BTC

————- File Recovery ————-

Since this is a demo for the MT guys the decription key is:

24963

————- Warning ————-

Be aware that attempting to run this program again will overwrite this file thus causing decryption key to get lost

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Geminis ransomware doesn’t leave any option to you other than dealing with the attackers but still, security experts strongly deny from making any sort of payment to them. It has been tendency of such hackers that they often ignore the victimized people after taking the extortion or provide rogue software in the name of decryption tool which only harms the machine badly upon getting installed. Furthermore, paying ransom to the attackers will only urge them to drop more parasites in the work-station for future income. And so, never trust on the hackers under any circumstance and find any alternate way to recover the infected data. For this, you can use a strong file-recovery program or if you have a recently made backup, you can easily restore them back. But first of all, you must delete Geminis ransomware from the system immediately before it infects your other crucial files.

Other Harmful Traits of Geminis ransomware:

This precarious malware consumes huge amount of memory resources and drags down the overall computer performance severely. Due to this, machine starts responding slower than ever before and takes more than usual time to complete any task. It has ability to deactivate all the running security services and Windows Firewalls and make the computer vulnerable for more Online threats. This nasty virus may easily bring other hazardous threats like rootkits, spyware, adware, Trojans etc. in your work-station and turn the device into a malware-hub. It messes with important system files which assure efficient PC functioning and prevents many installed apps as well as drivers from working in a proper manner. Geminis ransomware enables remote hackers to get access to your device and steals all your personal and sensitive data for their delicate welfare. Using your confidential data relating to banking and other financial details, crooks can generate illicit revenues and cause you to be a victim of Cyber-crime or Online scam.

How Does This Infection Enter Your System:

Such types of file-encrypting viruses often infiltrate the targeted PCs through several illusive techniques such as spam email campaigns, Trojans, fake software updaters, questionable download sources, unofficial software activation tools etc. But still, the most common method used by hackers to spread such parasites is by sending emails that contain malevolent attachments. Hackers usually attach MS office, PDF documents, exe files, and JavaScript files. Once you open the attachment, those spiteful files install some pernicious application.

Quick Glance

Name: Geminis ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Crypto-virus

Description- Destructive malware that aims to encrypt users’ crucial files and then ask them to pay off for the decryption key/tool.

Extension- “.geminis3”

Ransom demanding message: “README.txt”

Symptoms: Users can not open files available on their desktop, previously functional files now have different extensions, A ransom demanding message is displayed on the desktop screen. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock their encoded data and files.

Distribution methods: Torrent websites, spam emails, peer to peer network sharing, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be accessed without paying ransom, Additional password stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed along with ransomware infections and other malware.

Removal: To remove this virus from the system, we advise you to use a reliable anti-malware tool. Once malware gets removed, you can recover your files by using existing backup or data-recovery software.

How to Protect The Computer From Such Attack?

To avoid the risk of being attacked by Geminis ransomware or other similar threats, you should not trust suspicious emails coming from stranger. Never open such mails that contain questionable attachment or web links. Moreover, avoid using software cracking tools since it is not legal. They always download and install malware on the computer instead of activating software. It is also recommended that download any application via direct download links and only official websites. Furthermore, use a reliable anti-malware program and keep updating it from time to time. However, in case you are one of those users who are already a victim of this dangerous file-encoding malware, don’t waste any time. Just take an immediate action and remove Geminis ransomware from the device by following the complete removal steps given below.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Geminis ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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