How to remove GoHack Ransomware

Delete GoHack Ransomware from the system

The users whose device gets infected with GoHack Ransomware have their stored files inaccessible. They are asked to pay certain amount of fee in order to get them back in the original accessible condition. With this article, you will get the knowledge how you can restore the damaged or locked files without paying the ransom.

What is GoHack Ransomware?

GoHack Ransomware is a malicious computer infection, categorised as ransomware. It operates by encrypting stored files and demanding ransom payment for the decryption. During the encryption process, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files with .GoHack extension. For example, a file named 1.jpg becomes 1.jpg.GoHack. Following to this, the ransomware creates ransom note in a .txt file and drops it on each folder containing encrypted files.

The ransom note states that the data have been encrypted and that the victims now have to establish a contact to the crooks if they want the data back. It further states, the crooks have the unique decryption tool that helps in the data decryption. To provide the tools the crooks demand ransom payment. The amount of this tool is not disclosed. Typically, it is in between $500 and $1500 that is to be paid in Bitcoin or other form of cryptocurrency. The crooks are ready to provide free decryption service as well. They also warn the users that if they use any third party tools or rename the files, they will lose their files for permanently. We highly recommend not to negotiate with the crooks and should use some data recovery alternatives for the data restoration.

Threat Summary

Type:  Ramsomware, Cryptovirus, File locker

Extension use: .GoHack

Symptoms: Files cannot be opened, the previously functional files appear with different extension name and a ransom note appear asking for ransom payment demands for the data decryption

Distribution: Spam emails, software cracks and updating tools

Removal: Use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove GoHack Ransomware from the system

Files recovery: Use existing backup for the data restoration. If you do not have such tools, use data recovery tool provided below the post. Such tools are designed nowadays with special functionality added and so you can anticipate of the data recovery using them

Why you should avoid paying the ransom?

The ransom payment should not be done under any circumstances. The crooks are not the people to whom you can trust to. If you pay, you will be scammed. In other word, you will not receive any decryption tool even after the payment. Therefore, you should think of the data recovery alternatives. Before that, you should eliminate GoHack Ransomware from the device so that it will not interfere during the data recovery process. The removal is also necessary in order to prevent it from further files encryption and avoid various other risks associated with it- the major one beings the data stealing and additional malware injection risks.

How to recover the locked files?

There are many possible data recovery options for you. The existing backup is the one and the easiest way to get the encrypted files back to the original accessible condition. The problem is that not all users have such backup files. In such a case, the Volume Shadow Copy might help you in getting the files back. The Shadow Volume Copy is a backup cloud created by OS for short time. However, in many cases this option is deleted by threats in making the decryption process harder. You can check whether this backup file is available or not from the guidelines provided below in the data recovery section. You should once try using data recovery tools as well, if all these options are not available for you. Data recovery tools are nowadays, designed with special functionality added and so they might help you in getting the locked or damaged files back.

How did ransomware infiltrate in?

Spam emails, untrustworthy downloading channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders, fake updating tools and software cracks are some of the common channels that are most commonly used to distribute malware of this malware. Spam emails are designed and delivered in a campaign to make users believing that they are receiving some legit emails. However, these emails have some infectious links or files clipped as an attachment, if clicked- the users are asked to enable macros command. One more clicks and they end up to malware download in their device. Untrustworthy downloading channels spread malware by presenting it as legit software. Software updating tools exploit the bugs/flaws of the outdated software or directly download malware instead of providing software updates. Cracking tools infect computers by supposedly activating software.

How to prevent malware intrusion?

Avoid clicking on any irrelevant attachments. Also, never open any emails whose senders’ addresses seem suspicious. For software download, always rely on official websites and direct links only. Avoid all aforementioned untrustworthy downloading channels. Similarly, use only official software developers’ tools/functions for any software updates/activation. Better if, you use some reputable antivirus tool as well. Such tools provide adequate PC protection by preventing any malicious executables from being launched, checking updates required for the installed apps and OS and removing any malware in case it infiltrates in, before its spreads into the whole.

Remove GoHack Ransomware

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Use it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove GoHack Ransomware from the device.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete GoHack Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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