Remove CHEATER ransomware And Restore Encrypted Files

CHEATER ransomware: Manual Uninstall Process

CHEATER ransomware is malicious software that infects computers, encrypts data stored inside them, and then displays messages demanding a ransom fee to be paid to unlock the encrypted data. This type of malware is a cyber-offenders’ money making scheme that can be installed through vicious links in a spam email message. Similar to FDCZ ransomware and other crypto-viruses, it also has ability to encrypt almost all types of files including audios, videos, documents, presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs etc. This dreadful infection uses a powerful AES cryptography to lock the targeted data and renames them by marking them with “.crypto” extension.

CHEATER ransomware Forces Victims To Pay Ransom:

Once the encryption process is completed, CHEATER ransomware displays a ransom note in a pop-up window and informs the affected users regarding the attack. They are informed that the contaminated files can be recovered using the decryption keys that they will have to purchase from the attackers. Eventually, victims have to pay the criminals a ransom amount of $300 in BitCoins cryptocurrency that has to be transferred to the provided BTC wallet address. For more details, they can contact the crooks via the “[email protected]” emails address. They are also scared that if they don’t contact the CHEATER ransomware operators or not make the payment within the given time, then the required keys will be deleted.

Paying Ransom Never Works:

Remember that these attackers can be trusted. Paying up doesn’t guarantee that you will regain access to the compromised files. Criminals have been known to break their promises on their end of the deal. Many victims paid ransom to such hackers but didn’t receive anything in return and ended up with losing both files as well as money. Sometimes, crooks deliver rogue software in the name of decryption tool which causes even more hazards once installed. So, never consider paying any sort of ransom to the hackers and focus on CHEATER ransomware removal from the device immediately.

Restore Data From Backups:

The best way to recover the infected files is by using a backup, created before the attack and stored on any external hard drive, pen drive, SSD, SD card, cloud storage etc. If you have an appropriate backup available, you can easily retrieve the infected files at some amount. Nonetheless, even if the backup is not available, there is still a chance to restore the files using a powerful file-recovery application. These recovery tools don’t often provide the best results but can still be very handy.

Ways To Spread CHEATER ransomware:

CHEATER ransomware or other file-encrypting viruses are most often distributed through malspam campaign. In a large-scale operation, thousands of deceptive emails are sent by cyber crooks which include malicious files attached to or linked inside them. These virulent files could be in multiple formats such as: executables (.exe, .run, etc.), PDF and Microsoft Office documents, archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), JavaScript, and so forth. As soon as the recipients open, run or execute the vicious file, it triggers the installation of the malware.

To prevent this, you must ignore the suspicious emails that you were not expecting to receive or look suspicious. These mails are specially designed in order to trick users into downloading their attached documents. So, you should scan the attachment first before opening it with a reputable anti-malware tool. In case your machine is already infected with this threat, you must remove CHEATER ransomware from the device as soon as possible.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

CHEATER

YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED!

The important files on your computer have been encrypted with military grade AES-256 bit encryption.

Your documents, videos, images and other forms of data are now inaccessible, and cannot be unlocked without the decryption key. This key is currently being stored on a remote server.

To acquire this key, you have to transfer a Bitcoin Fee (300$ in Bitcoin) to the specified wallet address that you find on the bottom – Or you can contact us by email and I will give you a specific wallet address. Email: [email protected]

After you made the payment, I will give you the key to restore your files

If you don’t contact us/make the payment before the timer runs out, the decryption key will be destroyed and access to your files will be permanently lost.

Email to Contact to receive Bitcoin Wallet Address: [email protected]

TIME REMAINING

–

WALLET ADDRESS: bc1qkgdzagcs7149hjfaq2k2ue2gff9r4fp9rgd0q1

BITCOIN FEE: 0.0051

[View Encrypted Files] [Enter Decryption Key]

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete CHEATER ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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