How to remove TAKA ransomware and decrypt .TAKA files

Easy tips for TAKA ransomware removal

TAKA ransomware is a dangerous computer infection detected as a ransomware. It belongs to the infamous Xorist ransomware family. Systems infected with this malware have all stored files become inaccessible. TAKA encodes them using some ciphers, making users mandate to use unique key/code or software for the data decryption. The crooks demand huge amount of ransom payment for the decryption software. This article provides you complete guide to remove TAKA ransomware and easy tips to perform data recovery without negotiating to the crooks.

More about TAKA ransomware

Systems infection with TAKA ransomware happens usually when users open some irrelevant email attachments, download crack software, activate license software for free using third party sites or update an app through fake updaters. The malware infection may happen when the system is already infected with some other malware. After the successful infiltration, TAKA conducts major alteration to the system settings, partially of which allow it to activate with each OS reboot and run all the time and partially helps it in running a scan for the stored files for encryption.

Files encryption is done using some strong cipher algorithms that allow the developer to create unique key/code to unlock them. This allows them to blackmail users to pay ransom fee to provide the decryption software they have. A ransom note (HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.TXT) is dropped by the TAKA ransomware virus to put ransom demands. It contains crooks’ email address that users have to use to establish contact to them. Further, it states the price of the decryption tool, which is 50 USD. Also, it offers huge 50% discount on this price especially to those who contact them within 72 hours. The message also warns the users that they have total attempts to enter the correct decryption key. If this number of attempts exceeds 70, the compromised data will become impossible to get back.

Here is the full text presented on the TAKA ransomware’s HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.TXT file (ransom note):

Attention! All your files are encrypted!

To restore your files and access them,

please send an SMS with the text  [email protected]

You have 70 attempts to enter the code.

When that number has been exceeded,

all the data irreversibly is destroyed.

Be careful when you enter the code!

Price of private key and decrypt software is $50.

Discount  available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $25

BTC Wallet: 37t6hwuzJbq6PtEgaxyS3AWyLS99qMGrt8

Bitcoin ee Na Parle Bkash Payment korte Parbn tk2500[3days]

Contact me here: [email protected]

If you see .TAKA extension to a file, for sake 1.jpg, then the TAKA ransomware has completed its data of data encryption on your system. Unfortunately, in most cases with ransomware infections, data recovery is not possible without the involvement of the crooks. It might be, when the ransomware is at development stage or has some flaws/bugs. Regardless paying ransom is highly not recommended, as quite often, victims who pay, will get scammed. In other word, they receive no decryption tool even after the payment is done. Therefore, they suffer financial loss and have their files remain in encrypted form. The safest option is to remove TAKA ransomware and recover the files using existing backups. The malware removal is necessary to prevent further files encryption and avoid various potentially dangerous risks associated with the ransomware infection – the major ones are system infection with other malware and personal and sensitive data exposure.

How to get back the encrypted files?

The best option to get the files back is the existing backup. If you have the one, simply use it after TAKA ransomware removal and recover all the encrypted files like earlier accessible condition. If not, you should use some other alternatives for the data recovery. The two possible data recovery options you have, in a case when you have no backups of the encrypted files, are Shadow Volume Copies and Data recovery tools. While the chance is rare, the Shadow Copies may leave untouched during the ransomware attack and files encryption process done. Other option is the data recovery tool. Nowadays, such tools are designed with special functionalities added and so you can anticipate data recovery using them.  Below the post, under the data recovery section, you will find more on data recovery alternatives plus complete steps on how to use them to get TAKA ransomware encrypted files back.

Threat Summary

Name: TAKA ransomware

Threat Type: Ransomware

Extension use: .TAKA

Ransom demanding note:  HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.TXT

Ransom amount: $50/$25

Cyber criminals’ contact: [email protected]

Symptoms: Cannot open the files stored on the device, previous functional files now have a different extension. A ransom demand message is displayed on the desktop. Cyber criminals demand payment of a ransom to for unlocking the files

Additional information: This malware is designed to show a fake Windows Update Window and modify the Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing security websites online

Distribution methods: Infected email attachments (macros), torrent websites, malicious ads, unofficial activation and updating tools

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be opened without paying a ransom. Additional password stealing Trojan or other malware infections can be installed together with a ransomware infection

Malware removal: Use some reputable antivirus tool or follow manual malware removal guide provided below the post to remove TAKA ransomware from the device

Files recovery: Existing backup is the safe and secure option to get the files back in the original accessible condition. Other data recovery options include Volume Shadow Copy or data recovery tools -check the data removal section below the post for the step by step guide for performing them

How did TAKA ransomware intrude in?

The most common distribution methods of ransomware and other malware are Trojans, scam campaigns, illegal activation tools, fake software updaters and dubious download channels. Trojans are malicious programs, especially designed to download/ install other malicious malware. Scam campaigns are used to define large operations during which thousands of spam emails are designed with infectious files or links for such files are provided as attachments. The letters are presented official, urgent, important and similar and the attachments as some important documents. The email messages encourage users to click on the provided attachments. If done, the malware download/ installation process is jumpstarted. Rather than activating licensed products, cracking tools can download/ install malware. Illegitimate updaters cause system infections by exploiting bugs/flaws of outdated software or directly download malware instead of providing updates. Malware can also be downloaded from untrustworthy sources such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks and third party downloadaers or installers.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Suspicious and/or irrelevant emails must never be opened, especially the provided attachments or website links found in them. It is advised to use official websites and direct links for any software download. Additionally, use only official software developers’ tools/functions for any software update/activation. To provide device integrity and user’s safety, it is also recommended to have a reputable antivirus tool installed and kept updated. Also, such software must be used for regular system scans and remove any detected viruses.

Easy TAKA ransomware removal

TAKA ransomware removal process would be an easy task for you if you use some reputable antivirus tool. Such tools run full system and detect and delete the malware with all its components with just one click. However, you still decide to use manual mode, refer below mentioned step-by-step guides especially designed to assist you so that you can perform removal without any trouble.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete TAKA ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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