Remove Charlie ransomware: Open Encrypted Files

Charlie ransomware: Simple Uninstall Guide

Charlie ransomware is a very devastating PC threat that prevents users from accessing their data, usually by encrypting them. The sole motive of the people behind this lethal attack is to force victims into paying them a huge amount of ransom to obtain the decryption tools. Initially upon getting into the PC, the Charlie virus scans the entire system for images, audios, videos, and essential productivity files and documents, e.g., .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, etc. Once these files are detected, this perilous malware encrypts each of them using a strong cryptographic algorithm and also renames them by adding “[email protected]” email address, victim’s ID, and appending “.!Charlie” extension with each of them.

Charlie ransomware Displays Ransom Note After Encryption:

Once the encryption process is completed, Charlie ransomware shows a ransom note in a pop-up window (“!README!.hta”) and informs victims regarding the unpleasant situation. They are also instructed to send their ID to [email protected] or [email protected] email address as early as possible. The price of the decryption tool depends on how quickly they do that. They can also send three encrypted files to the hackers that should not contain any valuable information. Crooks will decrypt them and send them back to prove that the data-recovery is possible.

Never Deal With The Attackers:

In general, Charlie ransomware victims can only retrieve their important data by using a proper decryption tool. But still, there is no need to contact the criminals as these people can’t be trusted. Their only purpose is to extort illicit ransom money from the affected users; such hackers hardly ever fulfill their promises. Many victims paid ransom to the crooks but didn’t receive anything in return and ended up with losing both files as well as money. So, never do that and focus on Charlie ransomware removal from the machine as soon as possible.

Use Backup To Recover Data:

The best way to get back access to the compromised files is by using backup if there is any, created before the attack and stored on any external location. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize the significance of creating and maintaining backups until they require it but they don’t have it. If this is the case with you, then the only option left for you is to try a third-party file-recovery application. Saying again, under any circumstance, you should not deal with the attackers, as losing money after essential data will be bigger catastrophe.

Distribution of Charlie ransomware:

Quite often, Charlie ransomware or other file-locking viruses are spread through emails, untrustworthy sources for downloading files or applications, Trojans, fake software updaters, and cracking tools. Spam emails are mostly utilized for the propagation of deadly crypto-threats. These phishing mails are specially designed in order to trick recipients into downloading and opening the attached virulent file which triggers the installation of Charlie virus. The malicious files could be in various formats, e.g., PDF or Microsoft Office document, executable, archive, JavaScript, and so forth.

The deceptive mails are often presented as ‘important’, ‘crucial’, or ‘urgent’ or pretend to be from some well-known companies, organizations, etc. However, whenever you are sent an unexpected email from unknown address, avoid opening it, especially never download its attachment without scanning it with a reputable anti-malware tool. Also, choose only official and verified download sources and update/activate software using the tools provided by legitimate developers only. If your PC is already contaminated with this file-locking virus, you must remove Charlie ransomware from the device without wasting any time.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

All your files have been encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, please send an email to [email protected]

The subject of your email should be: –

if you didn’t get any response you can send an email to [email protected]

You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoin. The price depends on how fast you contact us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool.

How can you trust us to decrypt your files?

Before paying you can send us up to 3 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 2Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

How to obtain Bitcoins

The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.

hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins

Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:

hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

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

Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Charlie ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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