Remove Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware & rescue encoded files

Proper guide to delete Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware

Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware is highly dangerous cryptolocker which is similar to Black Claw ransomware. Like all its predecessors, it encrypt stored files and demand ransom fee for their allegedly recovery. The encrypted files will be renamed by .apocalypse extension and ransom note named RECOVER YOUR FILES.txt and RECOVER YOUR FILES.hta is created and dropped to desktop to provide files recovery instructions and ransom payment details. Thus, all encrypted files will receive new extensions.

Text presented in Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware’s pop-up window:

All your files have been encrypted!

 

All your files have been encrypted (WITH AES+RSA) due to a security problem with your PC. Contact us via telegram. We will reply within 5 minutes: T.me/billy_got
Send 100$ to Bitcoin: 1GuxVaa3QqeyXGc13MFzmasMRK7HZwbA18

Include this id in your message or telegram:
–

YOU HAVE ONLY 48 HOURS TO CONTACT US. WHEN THIS TIME ENDS THE PRICE WILL BE TWICE AS MUCH

1d 23h 53m 55s

 

# How to obtain Bitcoin

The easiest way to buy Bitcoin in Localbitcoins.com website.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins

 

Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginner guide here:
hxxps://www.coindesk.com/learn/bitcoin-101/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins

# ATTENTION !!!

DO NOT RENAME THE FILES.
APOCALYPSE RANSOMWARE

Details about Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware

The text states that the files are encrypted with AES and RSA cryptographic algorithms and victims requires decryption key for their recovery. In the pop-up, the cost of key is 100 USD and in text files 50 USD. Another difference between the created notes is that both contain links leading to websites dealing how to and from where to obtain Bitcoin. Victims are also advised to contact cyber criminals through the Telegram messenger.

Users are also warned to contact cyber criminals within 48 hours after encryption otherwise files will be deleted as the ransom amount will also be doubled. According to the ransom note, free decryption test is also provided to the user without charging any money. Despite this, users are also warned not to rename encrypted files or try to decrypt them manually using third party software or tools otherwise it might results into data loss.

So, to avoid being scammed and recover files without paying money to the cyber criminals or even contacting them we advise you to remove Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware quickly from the system using reliable antivirus removal tool to prevent from further encryptions/infections. After that, you can easily restore files from backup if created earlier before encryptions. If backup files are not found the last options for you is to use data recovery tool.

Intrusion tactics of Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware:

Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware intrude into computer without having user’s permission. Developers behind this mostly use spam email campaigns, fake software updates, free third party software download sources, Trojans and many other tricks. Trojans are identified as malicious programs that are mainly designed to download and install additional malware. Spam campaigns are used to send thousands of junk files or emails to the users, once you click on it, it can install lots of infections. Malware can be inadvertently downloaded from untrustworthy sources like unofficial and free file hosting sites, third party downloader’s and p2p sharing networks.

Remove Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware

If your system gets infected with such harmful virus, then you need to go through several removal steps. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infects other PC very easily. Hence, you should remove Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware by going through step by step instructions which have been provided below with the help of automatic and manual process.

Quick Glance

Name: Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Cryptovirus

Encrypted Files Extension: .apocalypse

Ransom Demanding Message: RECOVER YOUR FILES.hta and RECOVER YOUR FILES.txt

Ransom Amount: 100 USD and/or 50 USD in Bitcoin cryptocurrency

Cyber Criminal Contact: T.me\billy_got (Telegram)

Short Description: The ransomware encrypts files on your computer machine and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly restore them.

Symptoms: The ransomware will blackmail the victims to pay them a decryption fee. Sensitive user data may be encrypted by the ransomware code.

Distribution Method: Spam Emails, Email Attachments, porn or torrent sites, harmful hyperlinks, suspicious websites and many more.

Removal: For more information about removal of Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware and recovery of files we suggest you go through the removal guidelines. 

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Billy’s Apocalypse 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 Billy’s Apocalypse ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Billy’s Apocalypse 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 Billy’s Apocalypse 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 Billy’s Apocalypse 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 Billy’s Apocalypse 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 Billy’s Apocalypse 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 Billy’s Apocalypse 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 Billy’s Apocalypse 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 Billy’s Apocalypse 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 Billy’s Apocalypse 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.