How to remove Gru ransomware and recover files

Easy tips to delete Gru ransomware and decrypt data

Gru ransomware is a ransomware-type infection that is designed to encrypt files, change the extension of the encrypted files to .gru (for example, a file 1.jpg becomes 1.jpg.gru 2jpg becomes 2.jpg.gru and so forth) and creates read_it text file as its ransom note. Like other DJVU variants, Gru blocks users’ access to their files and ask ransom payment to decrypt them.

The read_it files informs the victims about the files encryption saying that the ransomware encrypts all stored files and it is impossible to decrypt them without the help of the crooks behind it. The victims are informed that the decryption requires a unique decryption tool that can be purchased from the crooks in $980.

A huge 50% discount on this price is offered for the special users who establish the contact to the crooks within 72 hours of the files encryption. For the communication purpose, two email addresses belong to them are mentioned in the ransom note.  The victims can attach one encrypted file with it – to receive its free decryption, which serves as a proof that that the crooks have the right decryptor.

Typically, the crooks behind ransomware attacks are the only people who have the right decryption tool. However, contacting/ paying these people is highly not recommended –it is quite common that victims who pay it get scammed (they receive no decryption tool even after they pay for it).You should think of some alternatives for the files recovery.

The best way is to remove Gru ransomware and recover the files using existing backups. The malware removal is necessary to prevent it from further files encryption. However, this process will not decrypt already encrypted files. This problem of files recovery would be resolved if you have existing backups. Simply use the backups after the ransomware removal to restore the affected files.

The main problem arises when no such backup files available. However, even in this case as well, there are at least two options of files recovery is available for you. You can rely on Shadow Copies from Windows OS. The data recovery section below the post will guide you how to recover files using this option. Another way to recover the files is to use data recovery tools.

How did Gru ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware are often distributed using emails, Trojans, fake software updaters, software cracking tools or unreliable sources for downloading files and programs. The main purpose of emails that crooks use to deliver malware is to trick people into downloading and opening a malicious file. The emails contain the infectious file as attachment or download link for this file is available in them.

Fake software updaters are distributed through deceptive pages. These are disguised as legit tools to fix, update software. However, they actually do not fix or update any software. They are designed to install unwanted, malicious software or infect systems through bugs, flaws of installed software that is out of date. Trojans are malicious malware especially designed to cause chain infections.

Questionable downloading channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers spread malware by presenting it as legit software. Cracking tools are supposed to activate licensed products. However, these illegitimate tools are often used to cause malware download/ installation.

Text presented in Gru ransomware‘s text file (“read_it”):

HEY !!!

All of your files have been encrypted

Your computer was infected with a ransomware virus. Your files have been encrypted and you won’t

be able to decrypt them without our help.What can I do to get my files back?You can buy our special

decryption software, this software will allow you to recover all of your data and remove the

ransomware from your computer.The price for the software is $1,500. Payment can be made in Bitcoin only.

How do I pay, where do I get Bitcoin?

Purchasing Bitcoin varies from country to country, you are best advised to do a quick google search

yourself  to find out how to buy Bitcoin.

Many of our customers have reported these sites to be fast and reliable:

Coinmama – hxxps://www.coinmama.com Bitpanda – hxxps://www.bitpanda.com

Payment informationAmount: 0.1473766 BTC

Bitcoin Address:  bc1qw0ll8p9m8uezhqhyd7z459ajrk722yn8c5j4fg

How to prevent ransomware intrusion?

It is advised to perform any downloads from official, trustworthy websites and direct links. Other sources such as third party dwonloaders, unofficial pages can be used to distribute malware. Attachments on any irrelevant emails should never be clicked. Software should have to be updated/activated using tools/ functions from official software developers.

It is not safe to use third party installers – they can have malware hidden in them. Additionally, it is recommended to scan the OS for threats regularly. This has to be done using some reputable antivirus tool. If the system is already infected with Gru ransomware, we recommend you run a full system scan using some powerful antivirus tool and remove it from system automatically.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Gru ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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