How to remove RAGA ransomware + data recovery

Easy steps to delete RAGA ransomware

RAGA ransomware is nasty computer infection that is a new variant of file locker virus. This dubious threat is created by hackers in order to encrypt all your files found on your desktop and demand extortion money in order to unlock it. Creators of this malware mostly use spam email attachments to spread this nasty threat. Once installed on your computer, it will disable all your security related programs. Then after it will encrypt all your personal files found on your desktop including USB drive. After encrypting, all files are appended with original filename, unique ID assigned to the victim, cyber criminals email address and “.RAGA” extensions.

RAGA ransomware: Depth analysis

After successfully encrypting all your files, it creates ransom note named “readme-warning.txt” and placed it on your desktop to inform you about encryption process. The note informs victims that in order to decrypt encrypted files you need to purchase decryption tool from the cyber criminals behind ransomware. For contacting them, the created note contains email address. Further, users are also warned not to restart their devices as it can render the files undecryptable. Victims are told that if they do not cooperate with the cyber criminals then some of their files will be permanently deleted.

Further, in order to gain the trust of victims they ask to send 1 encrypted file and they will decrypt it for free without charging any cost. Remember that the size of file is not more than 1 MB as well as does not contain any valuable information such as databases, documents and so on. Regrettably, decryption cannot be possible without the involvement of cyber criminals. Whatever the case, it doesn’t matter it is highly advised not to make a deal with the hackers  and pay any money to them. Often paying money, victims do not receive promised decryption tools/software.

Text presented in RAGA ransomware’s text file:

Hi!
Your files are encrypted.
All encrypted files for this computer has extension: .RAGA

 

—
If for some reason you read this text before the encryption ended,
this can be understood by the fact that the computer slows down,
and your heart rate has increased due to the ability to turn it off,
then we recommend that you move away from the computer and accept that you have been compromised.
Rebooting/shutdown will cause you to lose files without the possibility of recovery.

 

—
Our  encryption algorithms are very strong and your files are very well protected,
the only way to get your files back is to cooperate with us and get the decrypter program.

 

Do not try to recover your files without a decrypter program, you may damage them and then they will be impossible to recover.

 

For us this is just business and to prove to you our seriousness, we will decrypt you one file for free.

 

Our contact email: [email protected]

 

Additionally, your data may have been stolen and if you do not cooperate with us, it will become publicly available on our blog.

How to remove RAGA ransomware and recover files?

In order to retrieve locked files, first of all users are advised to remove RAGA ransomware completely from the system. Remember that removal will not restore already compromised files but prevent it from further encryptions. To do so, you must use reliable anti-malware removal tool such as Spyhunter. Once malware gets removed, you can easily recover your files by using backup if available. In case, backup files are not found you can see whether “shadow volume copies” are available or also has been deleted. The last option is to use data recovery tool.

How it intrude?

Ransomware and other malware primarily invade into your computer by using various ways. Some of them are Trojans, untrustworthy software download sources, illegal activation tools, spam campaigns and fake software updates. Among this, the spam campaigns are the main sources of malware intrusion. This mail contains download links of infectious files or files are simply attached to the emails. Such files come in various formats such as PDF documents, exe files, archive files, JavaScript etc. Once they are executed, the infection process is jumpstarted. Due to this, you are advised not to open emails that seem irrelevant or especially received from suspicious or unknown addresses. Thus, to avoid all such issues, it is important to remove RAGA ransomware and other dubious malware infection as soon as possible from the PC.

Threat summary

Name: RAGA ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Crypto Virus, Files locker

Encrypted Files Extension: .RAGA (unique ID and cyber criminals email address)

Ransom Demanding Message: readme-warning.txt

Cyber criminal contact: [email protected]

Symptoms: Cannot open files stored on your PC, previously functional files now have an unusual extension. A ransom demand message is displayed on your screen. Cyber criminals behind this demand payment of a ransom to unlock your files.

Distribution methods: Infected email attachments (macros), torrent websites, malicious ads, peer to peer sharing network, bundles of free software programs and hyperlinks.

Damage: All files are locked and cannot be accessed without paying a ransom. Additional password-stealing Trojans and malware infections can be get inside along with a ransomware infection.

Removal: In order to delete RAGA ransomware, use Spyhunter or other reputable antivirus removal tool. Once malware gets cleaned, you can retrieve your files by using backup or third party data recovery tool.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete RAGA ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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