How To Remove R44s Ransomware And Recover Infected Data

Simple Steps To Delete R44s Ransomware From Computer

R44s Ransomware is a hazardous file-encrypting virus that is a new variant of Ranion ransomware. Once this deadly threat successfully infiltrates your PC, it encrypts your essential files and data stored inside the system and then asks you to pay the attackers an amount of ransom to unlock the data. It uses a powerful encryption algorithm to lock your crucial files such as videos, audios, images, documents, PDFs etc. and makes you unable to open them again. You can easily determine the compromised files as this dangerous parasite appends “.r44s” extension with the name of each of them.

Following successful encryption, R44s Ransomware leaves a ransom note named “README_TO_DECRYPT_FILES.html” on the desktop and informs you about the file-encryption. It also provided you the file-recovery instruction stating that to get the decryption software/key and regain access to the compromised data, you must pay 1 BTC (BitCoin cryptocurrency) to the attackers which is approx. 5000 US dollars. You will have to make the payment within seven days otherwise the decryption key will be permanently deleted and hence, retrieving the infected files will be impossible. You are also asked to contact the hackers through the email address provided with the note that should contain your unique ID.

Text Presented in The Ransom Note:

Text in “README_TO_DECRYPT_FILES.html”:

!!! YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED WITH RANSOMWARE !!!
The Key to Decrypt Your Files Will Be DELETED in 7 Days

Send Me 1 BITCOINS (You Have Only 7 Days From Now)
Bitcoin Address: 1X3eCf1JriycNiWwpNHyQamZS1pApE8XX
Buy Bitcoins On:
– hxxps://paxful.com/
– hxxps://localbitcoins.com/
– hxxps://www.bitpanda.com/

After Send Me an Email With Your ID: 5BCDA92B4517273FC662
[email protected]

I Will Send You the Key to Decrypt Your Files

Should You pay the Ransom?

Although, it is true that files locked by R44s Ransomware can’t be accessed without using the decryption software/key and hence, many users agree to make payment to the crooks. However, they often get fooled and end up with losing both files as well money. Keep in mind that the only motive of such hackers is to extort illicit profits from the victimized users, they will not deliver the necessary tool even after taking the ransom. There are several instances when crooks just ignores the victims once the transaction is done and caused victims to lose both files as well as money. And thus, never trust on the attackers under any circumstance.

What Should The Victims Do?

If you are a victimized user, the first thing you need to do here is to delete R44s Ransomware from the work-station immediately because the longer it remains inside, it keeps infecting your other essential data. As far as restoring the compromised files is concerned, use a strong data-recovery application that you can download right here via the link provided under this article. Additionally, you should keep making frequent backups by the help of which, you can easily recover the infected or lost files.

How Does This Threat Enter Your System?

The most common tactic through which such types of file-encoding viruses are spread is spam mail campaigns. In such campaign, you are sent a number of emails that include malicious files. Such mails are generally disguised as “important”, “urgent”, “official” and similar. The malevolent attachment come in multiple forms such as PDF and Microsoft Office documents, executable and archive files, JavaScript etc. as soon as these files are opened, they get triggered and initiate downloading and installing spiteful applications. Aside from this, Trojans, fake updaters, illegal activation tools and unreliable download sources etc. are also major origins through which such kind of file-encoding viruses sneak into the targeted system. So, you should avoid getting in touch with these pernicious sources to keep the PC safe and away from such attacks.

Quick Glance

Name: R44s Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Crypto-virus

Description- Destructive malware that aims to encrypt users’ crucial files and then ask them to pay off for the decryption key/tool.

Ransom note: “README_TO_DECRYPT_FILES.html”

Extension- “.r44s”

Attackers’ wallet address- 1X3eCf1JriycNiWwpNHyQamZS1pApE8XX (Bitcoin)

Cyber criminals contact- [email protected]

Symptoms: Users can not open files available on their desktop, previously functional files now have different extensions, A ransom demanding message is displayed on the desktop screen. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock their encoded data and files.

Distribution methods: Torrent websites, spam emails, peer to peer network sharing, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be accessed without paying ransom, Additional password stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed along with ransomware infections and other malware.

Removal: To remove this virus from the system, we advise you to use a reliable anti-malware tool. Once malware gets removed, you can recover your files by using existing backup or data-recovery software.

Other Harmful Traits of R44s Ransomware:

R44s Ransomware has ability to deactivate all the running security services and Windows Firewalls and allow other Online infections such as spyware, adware, rootkits, trojans etc. to infiltrate the computer as well and cause more damages inside. It messes with vital system files which assure efficient computer functioning and prevents multiple running apps as well as drivers from working in an appropriate manner. This notorious crypto-malware changes the default registry settings by making vicious entries in it which allows the virus to get automatically activated every time the PC is started. It downgrades the overall system performance severely as it consumes huge amount of memory resources and increases the usage of CPU. And therefore, looking at all these hazards, you are strongly recommended to remove R44s Ransomware from the machine without wasting any time.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove R44s Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete R44s Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove R44s 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 R44s Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with R44s 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 R44s 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 R44s 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 R44s 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 R44s 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 R44s 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 R44s 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 R44s 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 R44s 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.