How to remove INFECTION Ransomware [Restore Files]

Easy process to delete INFECTION Ransomware

INFECTION Ransomware belongs to NEFILIM ransomware family. It is one of its variants and like its other variants, this malware infection also encrypts the targeted files and urges the victims to pay ransom money in exchange of decryption key. On the targeted files, it adds “.INFECTION” extension to their filenames. When you try to open the encrypted files, a ransom note named “INFECTION-HELP.txt” appears on the desktop screen.

When you go through the ransom note, you will feel that the cyber criminals are forcing you to buy the decryption key. As per their claims , the targeted files are encrypted using cryptographic algorithm. It asks you to communicate with the developers of INFECTION Ransomware through given email address. You are asked to purchase the decryption tool as soon as possible otherwise the data will get deleted permanently.

To win your trust, it offers to decrypt one of the file of your choice for free. In general, it targets the files that are used by the users on daily basis. It also erases the “shadow volume copies” of the encrypted files by executing  – vssadmin.exe deletes shadows/all/Quite command. Basically, it tries to remove all the possible ways to recover the files other than buying the recovery tool.

Threat summary of INFECTION Ransomware

Type: Files locking virus, Ransomware

Extension used: .INFECTION

Ransom note: INFECTION-HELP.txt

Short Description: The ransomware encrypts files on your computer and leaves a ransom message afterward.

Symptoms: The ransomware will encrypt your files and put the extension .INFECTION on your files after it finishes its encryption process.

Distribution Method: Spam Emails, Email Attachments, malicious ads, torrent websites, dangerous websites, suspicious links etc.

Damage: all files are locked and cannot be decrypted without paying ransom money. Additional malware infection can be installed together with ransomware infection.

Removal: Use Spyhunter to remove INFECTION Ransomware automatically from the computer. Once PC gets cleaned, you can recover your files by using backup. The other option is to use data recovery tool.

Should I pay ransom money to INFECTION Ransomware:

First of all, you must know that paying money to the cyber criminals will not remove this malware from the system. As long as it is presented inside the PC, it will continue encrypting files. So, once you pay for the decryption of certain files, the malware start encoding other files and this process goes on. So, it is highly instructed not to trust on them and pay any money because it is not the solution.

And most important, there is no guarantee that they will provide the original decryption key after receiving the payment. It is suggested to remove INFECTION Ransomware from your computer immediately to avoid further encryptions. To do so, first you need to scan your PC with powerful anti-malware tool. Once the ransomware is removed, you can restore the locked files via backup files or by using data recovery tool.

How does INFECTION Ransomware infect the PC?

The attack or intrusion of ransomware is executed secretly. Cyber criminals behind this use lots of deceptive methods to infiltrate this malware into the system. Some of the widely used methods are bundling, social engineering, spam email attachment and so on. Under the spam email campaign, the potential victims may receive thousands of email and each one of them contains some attachment with them in the form of PDF document, exe file, word file, archive file etc. When the file is opened/executed, the malware payloads get downloaded in the backdoor. Such attachments are presented as if it is sent by some reputable companies or organizations.

Avoid INFECTION Ransomware from computer:

To keep your device safe, it is important to browse the web or download any program carefully. Irrelevant emails come from unknown sources should be avoided. To install any apps, always use official websites or direct links. Furthermore, all installed programs must be updated using tools recommended by its official developers. You may install reputable antivirus software and it updated or enabled to perform regular computer scan. Hence, if is PC is infected by INFECTION Ransomware, you are recommended to scan your system with Spyhunter for windows to eliminate all ransomware automatically.

Text presented in the “INFECTION-HELP.txt” text file:

Two things have happened to your company.
============================================
Gigabytes of archived files that we deemed valuable or sensitive were downloaded from your network to a secure location.
When you contact us we will tell you how much data was downloaded and can provide extensive proof of the data extraction.
You can analyze the type of the data we download on our websites.
If you do not contact us we will start leaking the data periodically in parts.
============================================
We have also encrypted files on your computers with military grade algorithms.
If you don’t have extensive backups the only way to retrieve your data is with our software.
Restoration of your data with our software requires a private key which only we possess.
============================================
To confirm that our decryption software works send 2 encrypted files from random computers to us via email.
You will receive further instructions after you send us the test files.
We will make sure you retrieve your data swiftly and securely and your data that we downloaded will be securely deleted when our demands are met.
If we do not come to an agreement your data will be leaked on this website.

Website: hxxp://corpleaks.net
TOR link: hxxp://hxt254aygrsziejn.onion

Contact us via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete INFECTION Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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