Remove Cosd ransomware (Open Locked Files)

Cosd ransomware: Complete Removal Process

Cosd ransomware is a dangerous file-encrypting virus that comes from the family of STOP/DJVU ransomware. It’s a very devastating ransomware program which tends to encrypt files using the RSA cipher and force victims into paying a hefty amount of ransom to get the decryption software. It’s a silent intruder that doesn’t need users’ consent to infiltrate their computers. Soon after the penetration, it starts its malicious activities and locks all users’ images, videos, audios, documents, presentations etc. It also marks the compromised data by adding “.cosd” extension with each of them and hence, these files can easily be recognized.

Know More About Cosd ransomware:

After completing the encryption process, Cosd ransomware leaves a ransom note named “_readme.txt” on each affected folder and informs victims regarding the attack. It also states that the only way to recover the infected files is by paying the attackers a ransom amount of $490 within 72 hours. After that, the amount will be doubled and hence, they will have to pay $980 in BitCoins. For more details, victims have to contact the criminals via the provided email addresses. The decryption can be tested by sending one encrypted file via the mail. Crooks will decode it and send it back to prove that the decryption is possible.

Should Victims Pay The Ransom?

At most of the occasions, files locked by Cosd ransomware or any other crypto-viruses can’t be accessed without using the proper decryption software. But still, there is no need to deal with the criminals or even contact them. Remember that the only objective of such people is to swindle illicit revenues from the victimized users. They don’t give any assurance that they will decode the files even after taking the money. It has been tendency of such hackers that they usually ignore the victims once the ransom is paid or provide them shady application in the name of decryption tool which causes even more hazards when installed.

What Should The Affected Users Do?

For any victimized users, the first thing they require to do here is to perform Cosd ransomware removal from the computer immediately. As far as restoring the compromised data is concerned, there are alternative options such as backups or third-party file-recovery application. It is important to choose the recovery software properly as scammers often attempt to deceive users into purchasing rogue software. You can download a legitimate and powerful file-recovery tool right here via the link provided under this article. Paying the demanded fee to the criminals is never recommended under any circumstance as it will only urge them to create and spread more such viruses for future revenues.

Threat Specification 

Name: Cosd ransomware

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

Short Description: Dangerous parasite that locks crucial data and then asks victims to pay the attackers a huge sum of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension:  “.cosd”

Ransom Notes: _readme.txt

Ransom Amount: $980/$490

Attackers’ contact: [email protected], [email protected]

Symptoms: Data become unusable stored inside infected systems, previous functional files now have different extension, a ransom demanding note is displayed. Victims 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 Cosd ransomware:

There are a number of illusive techniques that are employed by cyber hackers to propagate ransomware-type infections. However, the most common among them is spam email campaigns. In this campaign, cyber criminals send tons of bogus emails that are disguised as ‘important’, ‘urgent’, or ‘crucial’. These mails though include malicious attachments that could be in any of these formats: executable files (.exe), PDF or MS Office documents, archive file and so on. The moment attached document is opened, run or executed, it triggers the installation of file-encoding malware.

 And hence, it is necessary to ignore suspicious emails that you often receive from unknown senders. At least never open them or download their attachments before scanning it with a reputable anti-malware tool. In case your PC is already infected with this hazardous threat, you must remove Cosd ransomware from the device as early as possible.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted

with strongest encryption and unique key.

The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.

This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees you have?

You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.

But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

hxxps://we.tl/t-VCmVKd9yin

Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.

Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.

Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.

Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:

[email protected]

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

[email protected]

Your personal ID:

–

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Cosd ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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