How to remove .rhino file virus

Complete .rhino file virus removal guide

Rhino or otherwise called .rhino file virus is a malicious program, classified as ransomware. Systems infected with this malware have their data encrypted and receive ransom demands for the decryption tools. During the encryption process, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files using “.Rhino” extension. For example, a file like “1.jpg” would appear as “1.jpg.Rhino”.  Once the encryption process is completed, the ransomware creates a info.hta file and drops it on the desktop.

The created file states that the files have been encrypted due to security problem on the device. To recover them, the victims are asked to write an email to the crooks via the [email protected] email address. There is an alternate email address provided on the note that the users have to use if no any response is received within from the first mailbox. When contacted, the users are supposedly provided an instruction how much to pay for the decryptor behind the ransomware that helps in files decryption. The price of this tool is not mentioned. However, it is stated that this price depends on how fast the contact is being done. The crooks offer free decryption as a proof that the decryption tool is really working- the users can send 1 encrypted file less than 500 Kb in size and must not have valuable information for the test. The full text presented on this ransom note created by .rhino file virus is given below:

Warning!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC.

If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail:

1) [email protected]

2) [email protected] (if you do not receive a response from the first mailbox)

You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us.

After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee

Before paying you can send us up to 1 files for free decryption.

The total size of files must be less than 500 Kb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

We recommend not pay/contact to the crooks under any circumstances. These people will never provide you the decryptor even if you fulfil all their demands. In other word, if you pay them, you will be scammed. The safest solution is to remove .rhino file virus and recover the files using existing backups. If you do not have files, you have various other data recovery options in the form of data recovery tools, shadow volume copies –check below the post in the data recovery section for this. Before proceeding with any of the methods, you should remove .rhino file virus so that it will not interfere during the files restoration process. Also, the virus removal ensures no further files encryption on the device and will avoid various possible risks, including the data stealing risks and the risk of additional malware intrusion in future.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

Ransomware viruses are most often distributed via using spam campaigns, Trojans, dubious software download channels, fake software updates and unofficial software activation tools. In scam email campaigns, cyber criminals send various emails that contain attachments or web links, If opened- the attached/downloaded files infect computers with malware. Trojans are malicious programs that cause additional installation of malware. Third party downloaders, free file hosting websites, p2p networks, and etc spread malware by presenting it as legit software. Fake software updaters infect systems by exploiting bugs, flaws of already installed, outdated software or directly download malware instead of providing any software upadtes. Cracking tools infect the devices by supposedly providing activation for paid software.

How to protect yourself from ransomware infections?

Avoid opening any irrelevant attachments or the emails having unknown senders’ addresses. Use official websites and direct download links for any software download. Do not trust or use the sources or tools mentioned above. Also, rely only on those tools/functions from official software developers for any software updating and activation. For betterment, employ some reputable antivirus tool that provides adequate protection to the device.

Threat Summary

Type: Ransomware

Symptoms: Stored files become inaccessible, and their filename gets renamed. Ransom demanding message is displayed on the desktop. Cyber crooks demand ransom payment for the files decryption.

Distribution methods: infected email attachments, torrent sites and malicious ads

Damages: Risk of password stealing Trojan or other dangerous virus intrusion that cause direct damage to the system/software installed

Removal: Use some reputable antivirus tool or follow below mentioned step by step instruction to remove .rhino file virus from the system

Files recovery: Use existing backup. If you do not have such tools, refer data recovery tool provided for you just below the post for the restoration of the damaged files

Remove .rhino file virus

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove .rhino file virus from the device.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove .rhino file virus through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete .rhino file virus using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove .rhino file virus 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 .rhino file virus using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with .rhino file virus. 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 .rhino file virus 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 .rhino file virus 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 .rhino file virus 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 .rhino file virus, 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 .rhino file virus.

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 .rhino file virus?

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 .rhino file virus 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 .rhino file virus 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.