How to remove HELLO Ransomware + data recovery

Easy steps to delete HELLO Ransomware

HELLO Ransomware is a dangerous threat discovered by malware security researcher named xXToffeeXx. This malware belongs to Xorist ransomware family. Once installed successfully, this ransomware virus will encrypt user’s stored data by appending “.HELLO” extension and makes totally useless. Later on, the virus opens HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt file where it informs its victim about the misdeed. Alternatively, the same text is displayed in the error message. Despite this, HELLO also changes the desktop wallpaper with ransom image.

As usual, the error message and text file contain a statement which informs victim about the encryption. Both make ransom demands. However, decryption requires unique key that cyber criminals behind this store on a remote server. As common for this type of threat, the perpetrators urge victim to transmit the money within 12 hours otherwise the amount of ransom is doubled. In case, victim fails to send the money within 24 hours, the files are said to be permanently deleted.

However, users are instructed to pay a fee of 0.5 BTC which is equivalent to ~$170.  They supposedly claim that they will return the files. However, they do not grant any extra free file decryption service to fortify their claims. What is more, there is no record whether Xorist developers have kept their words. Despite these threats, you should never trust on the cyber criminals, these people often ignore victims once payments are made. Thus, proceed to HELLO Ransomware removal.

Threat summary

Name: HELLO Ransomware

Threat Type: Ransomware, Crypto Virus, Files locker

Encrypted Files Extension: .HELLO

Ransom Demanding Message: HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt

Ransom Amount: 0.5 BTC (Bitcoin cryptocurrency)

Symptoms: Files cannot be opened, previously functioned files appear with new extension and ransom payment is demanded for the data recovery.

Distribution methods: Infected email attachments (macros), torrent websites, malicious ads, peer to peer sharing network, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: possibly password stealing Trojan or other malicious malware intrusion along with the ransomware.

Removal: In order to remove HELLO Ransomware, use Spyhunter or other reputable antivirus removal tool.

Ransomware distribution techniques:

The most common transmission method for the distribution of ransomware type viruses is spam emails. Malicious attachments are usually delivered in the format of JavaScript files or MS Office documents that download and install malware once users open the infectious attachments. Thus, users are advised that if they receive email which is supposedly sent by FBI or another official institution there is no need to rush and recklessly open the attachments. Look for the grammar mistakes and other details which give out the true origin of the message. Apart from this, this malware also get distributed through peer to peer networks (like torrents), unofficial software download sources (freeware download websites, free file hosting sites etc), Trojans and fake software updater’s.

How to remove HELLO Ransomware and recover files?

Paying money to them does not guarantee that files will ever be decrypted, there is high probability that you will be scammed, you will lose your money and support cyber criminals malicious businesses. Therefore, never try to contact these people and pay any ransom. Basically, there are no any tools available that could decrypt files encrypted by HELLO Ransomware. Thus, there is only one way to restore your files/system is from a backup. In case, backup files are not available users are recommended to use third party data recovery tool to retrieve all damaged or locked files.

Message presented within HELLO Ransomware text file (“HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt”) and pop-up error:

Ooops, your files have been encrypted!

-What Happen to my computer?
Your important files are encrypted
Many of your documents , photos , passwords , databases and other files are no
longer accessible because they have been encrypted . Maybe you are busy looking for way to
recover your files , but do not waste your time . Nobody can recover your files without
our decryption KEY
-Can i Recover My Files?
Sure.We guarantee that you can recover all your files safely and easlly
But You have not so enough time .
So If you want to decrypt all your files, you need to pay .
You only have 12H to submit the payment.After that price will be doubled Also,
If the transaction is not completed within 24 hours your files will be permanently deleted.
How To buy bitcoins hxxps://www.bitcoin.com/buy-bitcoin
And Send the the correct amount to this address 0.05 BTC 17pXroP4MruitJzpTa88FAPAGD5q5QAPzb

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete HELLO Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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