How to remove Lucy ransomware and recover encrypted files
Complete tips to delete Lucy ransomware and restore files
Lucy ransomware is a ransomware-type infection. The malware of this kind encrypt all stored files and then demand ransom payment for the alleged decryption, i.e., decryption tool/ software. Lucy virus is unique because it often targets Android users. However, the behavior is completely same as other viruses of this kind that targets PCs – it uses a military grade cipher algorithm (ASA algorithm) and appends the filenames of each of the encrypted files (with .lucy extension). After this, a ransom demanding message is dropped a browser window. Usually, we have seen with ransomware targeting OSs that a .txt file or simply a pop-up window is displayed as a ransom note.
Lucy ransomware displays a browser window as a ransom demanding note that appears as a message from FBI or Federal Bureau of Investigation. It claims that the victims’ files have been locked/ encrypted because some suspicious files stored on the device and prohibited pornographic pages have been visited. The main aim of the message is to trick people into believing that the FBI has their personal photos, videos, business files and they would have to pay a fine through the credit card to get access to the files again. As already said, this is the case when your system has been infected with Lucy ransomware.
The malware allows its threat actor to send certain commands via the command and control server. It is known that the malware can receive the commands, allowing making calls, getting the list of installed apps, opening remote shell on the system, uninstalling/ removing Lucy ransomware, collecting a string of key for the data encryption and using the command for the decryption, generating message and asking for the ransom payment for the alleged files recovery. After receiving the information about the data decryption, the virus changes the commands to the one that removes it from the system.
It is important to mention that the Lucy ransomware developers will never remove the virus and decrypt the files even if you fulfill all their demands. Thus it is strongly recommended you not to pay the demanded sum. Unfortunately, it is not possible to restore access to the files without the interference of the crooks behind it. Thus, the only way for the victims to get back the files for free is to use existing backups available. The malware is capable of encrypting any new files. To avoid this, you should remove Lucy ransomware from the infected system. You will find complete guide on how this is to be done just below the post. There you will also find a separate section dealing with how to recover the files using various other alternatives.
How did Lucy ransomware intrude in?
It is likely that crooks distribute this malware through social media links, instant messaging applications and some malicious video player apps. According to researchers, one of the ways through which Lucy ransomware control over the systems is by displaying a message asking the users to enable streaming video optimization. If the permission is given, it uses this service and executes the malicious commands as stated earlier to initiate the files encryption on the infected system. It is important to mention that the crooks may use malicious sites, SMS messages, phishing emails and other channels as well to distribute this mobile malware. Also, they may succeed at using Google Play to distribute their malware as well.
How to prevent ransomware infection?
It is recommended to download apps and files using official websites, legitimate platforms and via using direct links. It is not safe to use other channels, sources like the ones said in the previous paragraph. Also, it is important to update/ activate all installed apps using official software developers’ tools/ functions and not with unofficial tools for that – they might contain malware. Moreover, it is not legal to use such tools to activate, registry licensed software or use pirated software. Also, do not click on any irrelevant file and website link in any emails, especially the ones received from unknown sources. To keep the system safe, it is also advisable to scan the system for viruses regularly and make ensure that you keep the installed antivirus tool updated.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Lucy 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 Lucy ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”
Step 2: Delete Lucy ransomware using “System Restore”
Step 1: Remove Lucy 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 Lucy ransomware using “System Restore”
Log-in to the account infected with Lucy 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)
Lucy 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 Lucy 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 Lucy 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 Lucy 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 Lucy 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 Lucy 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 Lucy 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 Lucy 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 Lucy 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)
Lucy 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.
