Remove DEAL ransomware (File Recovery Instructions)

Learn Quick Methods To Remove DEAL ransomware & Restore Files

As per what the security analyst named dnwls0719 discovered, the term DEAL ransomware is actually a new ransomware variant which is technically a new strain derived from Phobos ransomware family. Getting somehow installed on computers, it will encrypt all files and lock them for being accessed by its owners. The ransomware further demands the victims to pay a mentioned sum of ransom fee to see such files restored or recovered back. During the encryption process, the ransomware use to append those files with a weird pattern which includes victim’s unique ID, developer’s email address and off course a new extension which reads as .deal. Following successful encryption of files, the ransomware also drops two files named info.txt and info.hta as ransom note which includes following message:

Files are locked* but not corrupted

Your computer is infected with a virus.

Files are locked* but not corrupted.

Send an email [email protected], specify in the subject unique identifier 1E857D00-2423 and you will definitely be helped to recover.

*you can send us a couple of files and we will return the restored ones to prove that only we can do it

IMPORTANT:

1. the infection was due to vulnerabilities in your software

2. if you want to make sure that it is impossible to recover files using third-party software, do this not on all files, otherwise you may lose all data.

3. only communication through our email can guarantee file recovery for you. We are not responsible for the actions of third parties who promise to help you – most often they are scammers.

4. if we do not respond to you within 24 hours, send a message to the email [email protected]

5. if you need an alternative communication channel – write a request by e-mail

6. our goal is to return your data, but if you do not contact us, we will not succeed

Both of the two ransom note files includes probably identical message for users and states that all data has been affected and can’t be accessed in easy. To recover those files, victims are encouraged to contact developers of this ransomware through provided email address. The message body must include provided unique ID along with some small size encrypted files to check if criminals are really able to perform decryption. In response to such sent emails, the criminals are supposed to send back decrypted copy of files and detailed information regarding ransom fee size and how to pay the sum.

In further details, the ransom note mention that victims should not try decryption of such files manually, or such attempts will corrupt those files permanently. Even the hackers will delete the decryption key from their server as well leaving the files permanently lost. The note actually states that file recovery is only possible with a valid decryption key and tool offered by cyber criminals, else not, and paying the demanded ransom fee to hackers is mandatory. Although, this fact is completely true and the ransomware is not yet cracked, there’s no free decryptor available for this ransomware. Still, the victims should not contact hackers, rather they should restore their files using a lately created backups, but before that, removal of ransomware is also necessary for which the guidelines here will assist you.

Threat Summary

Name: DEAL ransomware

Type: Ransomware, cryptovirus

Description: DEAL ransomware is a new strain of Phobos ransomware that locks your files and encourage you to pay hackers with demanded ransom fee to seek files’ restoration.

Distribution: Malicious file downloads, spam/junk email attachments, freeware or shareware downloads, and so on

Removal (File Restoration): For more information about removal of DEAL ransomware and recovery of files, we suggest you get through the guidelines

How DEAL ransomware intrudes and works on targeted machine?

As seen in most of the circumstances, the DEAL ransomware infection is spread through a payload dropper. This payload is basically a malicious script that connects system to a remote server and downloads DEAL ransomware on machine. So, this payload is actually distributed by malware developers and they can use various tactics like sharing them on social media, or file sharing networks, spreading it through links or ads on suspicious websites, spam email attachments, and so on. Thus, the targeted users are somehow tricked to interact with aforementioned web sourced and download some malicious files on their machine, following which the payload dropper gets executed in system background. Once the payload executes, it downloads DEAL ransomware and run it to perform further tasks like encryption of data, appending file names, and deploying the ransom note finally to scare users and pay the demanded ransom fee.

Although, the extortionists claim that file recovery is possible easily if the victims remit demanded ransom money to hackers and buy decryption key, but doing so is strictly not suggested because it’s a trap and hackers will never respond you back once they receive what they want from victims. Actually, none of the reports yet found that states that criminals have kept their promises and offered the decryption tool to users. Means, paying to hackers is completely a fool act and victims should follow some effective and suggested measures in order to sort out the issues. For detailed information about removal of DEAL ransomware and recovery of encrypted files, get through the links or details included under this article.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete DEAL ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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