How to remove N3TW0RM ransomware and recover encrypted files

Easy tips to delete N3TW0RM ransomware and restore data

N3TW0RM ransomware is a new malware strain detected in the wild. Four Israeli companies and one non-profit organization have been already breached in its wave of attack. Like other ransomware viruses, N3TW0RM operates as files encrypting virus. It encodes all stored files, making them inaccessible for the users until ransom payment is done. As per report from Haaretz, the virus demands users to submit 3 BTC which is around $173000 at the time of writing. There is another ransom note shared by security firm showing the ransom demand of 4 Bitcoin, around $210000.

After encrypting a network, threat actors behind N3TW0RM ransomware distribute a standalone ransomware executable to each device they want to encrypt. They install some program to the victim’s server to ensure the connections from the work-station. They then use PAExec to deploy and execute the executable slave.exe client executable on the device. The encrypted files will receive .n3tworm extension to their filenames.

 For getting these files in accessible condition once again, the users would receive using some special keys/ characters that the server component would save on a file. This adds complexity for the victims to get back the encrypted files without using their decryption keys. This is what the crooks take advantage of. They demand the users to submit them the demanded Bitcoin money so that they send the decryption keys to them. In the screenshot below, you can see the full text that the N3TW0RM ransomware’s ransom note states:

Since, despite paying, the users receive no decryption tool and suffer only financial loss, it is required you ignore the ransom demanding message. Instead, use some alternative, reliable way to recover the files. The best way is to remove N3TW0RM ransomware and recover the files using existing backups. If there is no backup available, we advise you kindly check our data recovery section below the post to learn how to recover files using Shadow Copies- these are automatically created backups from Windows OS. You can use third party data recovery option if the previous two options do not work in your case.

How did N3TW0RM ransomware infiltrate my system?

The exact methods through which N3TW0RM ransomware is distributed is yet not known. However, it can be said from earlier experiences with ransomware type malware distribution that this ransomware could also be distributed through commonly used spam emails, untrustworthy downloading channels, fake software updaters, Trojans and unofficial software activation tools. Spam emails are designed and delivered in large scale operations where such emails are presented as official, legit, important, and urgent and so on.

However, these letters often contain malicious files or links of such files on them, if clicked- the malware download/ installation process is jumpstarted. Untrustworthy downloading channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers are often used to spread malware by presenting it as legit software. Fake software updaters exploit bugs/ flaws of outdated software or directly download malware instead of providing updates. Trojans are malicious apps designed to cause additional infections on already compromised systems. Fake software activation tools infect systems by supposedly bypassing activation keys for paid software.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

To avoid system infections through spam emails, you receive seeing the email address of each email that you receive. If the sender’s address seems suspicious, do not click them, especially the presented attachment files or provided links on them. Furthermore, always use official websites and direct links for any software download. Similarly, use only official software developers’ tools/ functions for any software update/ activation. It is not legal to use any third party tool for software update and installer of pirated software. Also, they are often designed to download/ install other malicious malware.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

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Step 1: Remove N3TW0RM ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete N3TW0RM ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove N3TW0RM 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 N3TW0RM ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with N3TW0RM 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 N3TW0RM 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 N3TW0RM 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 N3TW0RM 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 N3TW0RM 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 N3TW0RM 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 N3TW0RM 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 N3TW0RM 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 N3TW0RM 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.