Remove Blackheel ransomware And Recover Encrypted Files

Easy Steps To Delete Blackheel ransomware

Blackheel ransomware is a hazardous file-encrypting malware that is based on Hidden Tear (open-source ransomware) and was first spotted by security researcher Ravi. Once this dangerous crypto-virus successfully infiltrates the Windows computers, it encrypts files and then asks victims to pay the attackers a hefty sum of ransom for the decryption. Your important files and data locked with “.a” extension is a clear evidence that your device is infected with this precarious ransomware. It has been crafted and designed in such as way that it can compromise almost all devices running on Windows Operating System.

Depth Analysis of Blackheel ransomware:

Soon after entering the target PCs, Blackheel ransomware disables the firewalls settings and stops the function of security measure so that the affected people cannot easily detect and remove this threat from their machines. After that, it immediately starts the file-encryption process. It locks users’ almost all file types such as images, audios, videos, pictures, databases, presentations, documents, eBooks and so on and makes them completely inaccessible for the victims. Once the encryption process is completed, Blackheel ransomware displays a ransom note named “READ_ME.txt” and also changes the desktop wallpaper and informs the affected people regarding the attack.

Text file displayed by this virus instructs victims to pay the attackers a ransom amount of 0.2 BitCoins to the provided BTC wallet within 168 hours after the attack. If they don’t do that, their data will be leaked. After making the payment, they have to contact the criminals via [email protected] email address, they will be provided a download link for a decryption tool and key.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Although, it is true that files encrypted by Blackheel ransomware can’t be opened without using the proper decryption tool. But still, you should not consider dealing with the hackers you have absolutely no guarantee that they will send the required decryptor even after a payment. There is possibility that they would not even have any decryption software, instead they might provide you a dubious application in the name of decryption tool. So, never make any sort of payment to the criminals as there is huge chance of getting scammed and end up with losing both files as well as money.

What Should The Victims Do?

Instead of considering dealing with the hackers, victims should focus on Blackheel ransomware removal from the computer as early as possible. For data-recovery, they should use alternative methods such as backups. In the absence of an appropriate backup, you can try a powerful file-recovery application which you can download right here via the link provided under this article. Paying ransom to the crooks is not a clever thing to do under any circumstance as it will only encourage them to trigger more such attacks for future revenues.

Threat Summary

Name: Blackheel ransomware

Type: Ransomware, File-encrypting malware, Crypto-virus

Short Description: Deadly parasite which encrypts essential files and then asks victims to pay the attackers a hefty amount of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension: “.a”

Ransom Notes: READ_ME.txt

Ransom Amount: 0.2 of Bitcoin

BTC Wallet Address: 19xxGz9WDmacNZ9P83v6QMmMgbCQxC1gnR

Attackers’ Contact: [email protected]

Symptoms: Cannot open files stored on your PC system, previous functional data now have different extension, a ransom demanding message is put on each affected folder. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to decrypt their encrypted files.

Distribution methods: Spam emails, peer to peer network sharing, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be accessed without paying ransom, Additional password stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed along with ransomware infections and other malware.

Removal: To remove this virus from the system, we advise you to use a reliable anti-malware tool. Once malware gets removed, you can recover your files by using existing backup or data-recovery software.

Ways To Spread Blackheel ransomware:

It is considered as one of the most notorious crypto-virus which is very persistent in nature. Creators of this hazardous threat use lots of illusive and tricky techniques to infect Windows devices but mainly it is dispersed through spam emails. Cyber criminals send tons of phishing emails that are disguised as ‘important’ but usually contain vicious attachments. PC users load any fake invoice or download any malicious attachment, then their systems easily get victimized by Blackheel ransomware.

Apart from spam campaigns, this destructive crypto-threat also compromises target computers via P2P file sharing sources, pirated software, drive-by-downloads, infected devices and many more. And therefore, it is vital to be very crucial while surfing the net and stay away from malevolent sources to keep the PC harmless and secured. Never open suspicious emails that you receive from unknown senders as you never know what they are bringing to your machine. But at the moment, you must remove Blackheel ransomware from the device as soon as possible.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

All your data is backed up

You must pay 0.2 BTC to 19xxGz9WDmacNZ9P83v6QMmMgbCQxC1gnR 168 hours for recover it.

After 168 hours expiration we will leaked and exposed all your data.

In case of refusal to pay, we will contact the General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR and notify them that you store user data in an open form and is not safe.

Under the rules of the law, you face a heavy fine or arrest and your base dump will be dropped from our server! You can buy bitcoin here,

does not take much time to buy hxxps://localbitcoins.com with this guide

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After paying write to me in the mail with your SERVER IP: [email protected] and you will receive a link to download your Decryption tool and key

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Blackheel ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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