How to remove HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware and recover files
Complete guide to delete HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware and decrypt data
HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware is a rogue piece of software, belongs to MedusaLocker ransomware family. It is designed to encrypt stored files and demand payment for the decryption. In other word, the virus renders all stored files inaccessible and then asks victims to pay to restore access to them.
During the process of the files encryption, the files are renamed with this pattern: email address belongs to the crooks, unique ID assigned to the victim, original filename and .HYDRA extension. For example, a file 1.jpg would appear similar to “[[email protected]][ID=C279F237]1.jpg.HYDRA”.
After the process is complete, a ransom note within “#FILESENCRYPTED.txt” is dropped onto the desktop. It reassures the victims that they can decrypt their data. For that, they are asked to contact the crooks behind the infection and negotiate them for the decryption tool.
To establish trust, free decryption of one encrypted file is provided. Victims are asked to send the file to the provided email address. After that, they will receive the decryption file and further information how much the decryption tool cost, where the payment is to be done and so on.
In usual cases with ransomware infection, the decryption is impossible without the interference of the crooks behind it. It might be possible if the ransomware is at its initial stage or has certain bugs/ flaws in them.
Regardless, it is strongly not recommended to contact/ pay to the crooks under any circumstances. These people will never provide you the decryption tool even if you fulfill all their demands. To prevent further files encryption, HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware removal is necessary.
However, the virus removal even does not decrypt the files already affected. To get them back, you have to rely on existing backups you have. You will face problem in getting back all the encrypted files, if you have no backups available.
However, it does not that, in that case, you will be left with no option for the files recovery. In fact, at least two data recovery options still available in that case even. One is the Shadow Copies from Windows OS and another option is data recovery tool from third party belonging.
But, there is no surety that the Shadow Copies are available. The HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware might be capable of deleting this option. Also, no any third party tools can assure you of files recovery encrypted by it. You can just do an attempt.
Be careful when choosing any third party data recovery tools as there are many tools available in the internet sphere that falsely claim to have this feature, but in real they do function as promised. Most of them, after installation, lead many more virus infections.
Below the post, you will find a recommendation of a data recovery tool fully tested by many researchers and so you can rely on it. There, you will also find step to recover files using Shadow Copies as well as complete guide to delete HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware from system.
How did HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware infiltrate in?
Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed via spam campaigns- a large-scale operation where thousands of spam emails are designed and delivered. These letters are usually presented as official, important, urgent and similar. They often have infectious files or links for such files in them.
The malicious files can be in any formats, including archives, executables, and PDF and Microsoft Office documents, JavaScript and so on. When these files are executed, run or otherwise opened- the malware download/ installation process is triggered.
Malware can also be proliferated through untrustworthy download pages such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks and other third-party downloaders. Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are the prime examples.
Cracking tools cause system infection instead of activating licensed products. Fraudulent updaters cause system infection by exploiting weaknesses of outdated programs and/or by installing malware rather than the promised updates.
Text presented in HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware’s text file (“#FILESENCRYPTED.txt”):
ATTENTION!
At the moment, your system is not protected.
We can fix it and restore files.
To get started, send a file to decrypt trial.
You can trust us after opening the test file.
To restore the system write to this address:
How to prevent ransomware infection?
To avoid system infection through spam emails, it is advised against opening any suspicious and irrelevant emails, especially any attachments or links in them. It is recommended to use only official and verified download channels. Additionally, all programs should have to be updated/ activated using official software developers’ tools/ functions.
Special Offer (For Windows)
HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
Antimalware Details And User Guide
Step 1: Remove HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”
Step 2: Delete HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware using “System Restore”
Step 1: Remove HYDRA (MedusaLocker) 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 HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware using “System Restore”
Log-in to the account infected with HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.
Special Offer (For Windows)
HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
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 HYDRA (MedusaLocker) 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 HYDRA (MedusaLocker) 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 HYDRA (MedusaLocker) 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 HYDRA (MedusaLocker) 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 HYDRA (MedusaLocker) 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 HYDRA (MedusaLocker) 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 HYDRA (MedusaLocker) 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 HYDRA (MedusaLocker) 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.
Special Offer (For Windows)
HYDRA (MedusaLocker) ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
