How to remove Joseph Romeika ransomware and recover files

Easy tips to delete Joseph Romeika ransomware and decrypt data

Joseph Romeika ransomware is a ransomware-type infection that operates by encrypting stored files and then demand ransom payment for the decryption. In other word, the ransomware renders all stored files inaccessible and asks victims to pay- to restore access to their files.

During the files encryption process, the files are appended with .infected by joseph extension. For example, a file 1.jpg would appear as “1.jpg.infected by joseph romeika”. After completing this process, ransom notes – readme.txt are dropped onto the desktops.

It is noteworthy that Joseph Romeika ransomware is highly likely to b e in development stage as the message text within the ransom notes is not complete. It lacks the payment information. Thus, the victims cannot pay the ransom to the crooks.

The ransom note states that only the victims have all their files encrypted. To decrypt them, they have to pay 100 USD in Bitcoin cryptocurrency. However, the provided cryptocurrency address is actually gibberish where the ransom fee has not to be transferred. The ransom note also lacks email address from where victims can establish contact to the crooks.

Here is the full text presented in read_it.txt text file:

All of your files have been encrypted

 Your files have been encrypted and you won’t be able to decrypt them without our help

there’s the instruction : pay us a gcngzyyggegggdg address (100$) bitcoin and email us at [email protected]

Unfortunately, in most ransomware infections, without the involvement of the crooks behind them, the files decryption is not possible. It might be when the ransomware is at its initial stage or has certain bugs/ flaws in them. Whatever the case, it is strongly not recommended to contact/pay to the crooks.

Despite meeting the ransom demands, victims often do not receive the promised decryption tool. Thus, they experience financial loss and their data remain encrypted. To prevent Joseph Romeika ransomware from further files encryption, its removal is necessary.

However, the removal will not decrypt the already encrypted files. Existing backups are helpful in such a case for the files recovery. But, the problem is that not all users have backups available for all encrypted files.

Even in this case, however, the victims have at least two data recovery options available, namely Shadow Copies from Windows OS and data recovery tools from third party belongings. Check below the post, in our data recovery section, for more detailed data recovery instructions.

How did Joseph Romeika ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed via untrustworthy download channels such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks and other third-party downlodaers. Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are the prime examples of this.

Cracking tools can cause infection instead of activating licensed software. Fraudulent updaters can infect systems by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software and/or by installing malicious programs rather than the updates.

Malware can also be distributed through spam campaigns- large scale operations where thousands of spam emails are sent. These letters have infectious files or links for such files in them. When these files are executed, run or otherwise opened- the malware download/ installation process is triggered.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

It is recommended to download only from official and verified sources. Additionally, all programs must have to be activated and updated with tools/ functions from legit developers. Dubious and irrelevant emails should never be opened- especially any attachments or links in them.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Joseph Romeika ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Joseph Romeika 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 Joseph Romeika ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Joseph Romeika 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 Joseph Romeika 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 Joseph Romeika 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 Joseph Romeika 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 Joseph Romeika 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 Joseph Romeika 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 Joseph Romeika 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 Joseph Romeika 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 Joseph Romeika 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.