How to remove WhiteHorse Ransomware and recover files

Easy tips to delete WhiteHorse Ransomware and decrypt data

WhiteHorse Ransomware is a ransomware-type infection that encrypts stored files, modifies their filenames and creates “#Decrypt#.txt” file (a ransom note). It renames the files with appending “.WhiteHorse” extension to their filenames. For example, it renames a file 1jpg to “1.jpg.WhiteHorse”, “2.jpg” to “2.jpg.WhiteHorse” and so on.

The WhiteHorse Ransomware’s ransom note provides victims the instructions on how to contact the crooks behind the infection for the decryption tool. It encourages them to establish the communication within 72 hours and warns that if they do not contact them- their files will be sold on the darknet.

Also, the ransom note warns the victims not to rename the filenames of the encrypted files using third party software as it may cause permanent data loss. In conclusion, the text file instructs the victims to contact the attackers for the files decryption and do it without delay.

Typically, it is impossible to decrypt files without the right decryption tool that can be provided only by the attackers. However, it is highly not recommended to contact/ pay to the crooks as these people often do not provide the decryption tool even if all their demands are met.

The best way you should deal with this situation is to remove WhiteHorse Ransomware and recover the files using existing backups. The malware removal is necessary to avoid further files encryption and prevent malware to spread on the network.

Once after the ransomware is removed, use backup you have and restore the encrypted files to the system. In case, you do not have any existing backup, once check if Shadow Copies exist. These are automatically created backups from Windows OS.

Sometimes, ransomware uses certain commands to delete the Shadow Copies. In this case, when you don’t have any backup available, you have to rely on third party data recovery tool. Nowadays, such tools are designed with advanced functionality added and so you can believe on them.

How did WhiteHorse Ransomware enter my system?

In most cases, users infect systems with ransomware via emails, Trojans, software cracking tools, unreliable sources for downloading files/ programs or fake updaters. Emails used to deliver malware contain malicious attachments or website link.

The recipients infect systems when they open the downloaded malicious files. Software cracking tools are expected to activate licensed software. It is common that these tools to be malicious. Thus, their users end up having computers with high-risk malware.

Malicious files downloaded from unreliable sources infect systems when users execute/ open them. Usually, crooks use unofficial pages, third party downloaders, p2p networks and other similar channels to distribute malicious files.

Text presented in WhiteHorse Ransomware’s text file (“#Decrypt#.txt”):

Hello my dear friend

Unfortunately for you, a major IT security weakness left you open to attack, your files have been encrypted

If you want to restore them, install ICQ software on your PC hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your mobile phone search in Appstore / Google market ICQ

Write to our ICQ @Whitehorsedecryption 

  hxxps://icq.im/Whitehorsedecryption 

 Skype Whitehorsedecryption 

 Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

We are always ready to cooperate and find the best way to solve your problem.

The faster you write, the more favorable the conditions will be for you.

Our company values its reputation.  We give all guarantees of your files decryption

IF WE DONT SEE MESSAGES FROM YOU IN 72 HOURS – WE WILL SELL YOUR DATABASES AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO YOUR COMPETITORS,AFTER YOU WILL SEE IT AT OPEN SOURCE AND DARKNET

 tell your unique ID

How to protect system from ransomware?

Download files and programs from official pages. Other sources can be used to distribute malicious files. Update the installed software with tools/ functions from official software developers. The same applies for software activation.

 Do not open any links or attachments in emails that are irrelevant, sent from unknown addresses. Scan the system for threats on regular basis. Use a reputable antivirus tool and keep it updated. If the system is already infected, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool and remove it automatically.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete WhiteHorse Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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