How to remove Lama ransomware and recover encrypted files

Complete tips to delete Lama ransomware and decrypt data

Lama ransomware is a ransomware-type infection and a part of VoidCrypt ransomware group. The malware is designed to encrypt stored files and then demand ransom payment for the decryption. To elaborate this, the system infected with this malware has all stored files inaccessible. Afterwards, the malicious program drops a ransom demanding message, asking user to pay money in order to access the data.

During the encryption process, Lama ransomware appends the filenames of each of the encrypted file with .Lama extension plus victims’ associated ID number and crooks’ email address are attached to it. As an instance, a file titled 1.jpg would appear something similar to “1.jpg.[[email protected]][MJ-KL5067341892].Lama” – following encryption. Once this process is complete, the ransomware creates “Decrypt-info.txt” text file as its ransom note. This file can be found in each folder containing encrypted files.

The text within the ransom note states the victims that their files have been encrypted. To restore them, there are asked to pay certain amount of sum. The size of the ransom is not stated in the message, but it is mentioned that the payment should have to be submitted in Bitcoin Cryptocurrency. Firstly, the victims are asked to locate “prvkey*.txt.key” file and send it the provided email address. It claims that this file is so crucial and any alterations to the system that leads to change in it will result into permanently data loss.

Prior to the payment, the victims are asked to attach 1 encrypted file less than 1 MB in size and contain no personal information to the email letters – the decryption to this file will be served as a proof that the files recovery is possible. However, it is strongly not recommended to rely on those evil people – they often provide no decryption tool even if all their demands are met. The best way to deal with this case is to remove Lama ransomware and use the existing backup.

The malware removal is necessary to avoid further files encryption and possible system damages. During the Lama ransomware removal, follow our guide provided below the post so that you will no trouble during the removal process. After successfully performing the ransomware removal, you can consider of files recovery and think of possible alternatives available. Obviously, existing backups are best solution for the files recovery. However, not all users have such backup option available.

Aside backups, you have more than one alternative for files recovery. First one is to shadow copies designed by Windows OS. This automatic backup may sometimes be untouched by ransomware during the system attack and files encryption process. You can check below the post for the guide to confirm if the shadow Copies available in this case. There, you will also find the instruction to recover the files, if available. Other option for files recovery is to use third party data recovery tools.

How did Lama ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often spread via wide range of dubious techniques. The malicious malware can be disguised as or bundled with regular software and then distributed through untrustworthy downloading channels such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks and other third-party downloaders. Illegal activation tools and fake updaters are prime examples of that. Cracking tools infect systems by allegedly bypassing activation keys of paid software. Fake software updaters claim to provide updates, fixes of outdated software, but cause system infection directly or by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software instead of the promised updates.

Scam campaigns are also used to distribute malware. This term defines a large scale operation during which thousands of spam emails are designed and delivered. The letters contain infectious files or links for such files in them. The virulent files can be in any formats including archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), Microsoft Office and PDF documents, JavaScript, and so forth. When these files are executed, run or otherwise opened- the infection process is initiated.

Text presented in Lama ransomware‘s text file (“Decrypt-info.txt”):

All Your Files Has Been Encrypted

You Have to Pay to Get Your Files Back

1-Go to C:\ProgramData\ or in Your other Drives   and send us prvkey*.txt.key  file ,  *  might be a number (like this : prvkey3.txt.key)

2-You can send some file little than 1mb for Decryption test to trust us But the test File should not contain valuable data

3-Payment should be with Bitcoin

4-Changing Windows without saving prvkey.txt.key file will cause permanete Data loss

Our Email:[email protected]

in Case of no Answer:[email protected]

How to prevent ransomware intrusion?

It is strongly recommended download only from official and trustworthy channels. All programs should have to be activated and updated using tools/ functions from legit developers. It is advised to exercise caution with incoming emails. Suspicious and irrelevant letters should never be opened- especially any attachments and website links in them. To ensure the device integrity and personal safety, have a reputable antivirus tool installed and updated. Also, use  this tool for regular system scans and to remove any detected threats.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Lama ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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