Remove Dharma ransomware and restore locked data

Easy guide to delete Dharma ransomware from PC

Dharma ransomware is a new variant of Crysis which is described as high risk ransomware type virus. Like any other ransomware, it aims is to encrypt data in order to demand ransom against decryption key. The malware uses complex extension consisting of user ID, contact email and an extension, for example – “.KICK”, “.crash”, “.harma” or “.txt”. Unlike its previous version, it does not change the desktop wallpaper but creates text file “README.txt” and place it in each folder containing compromised folders.

The created text file contain very short message which states victims that their device is unprotected and developers are the only ones who can solve this problem and also help users to restore the encrypted files. In order to access all affected files, victims must need to purchase decryption key. Unfortunately, all the keys are stored into the remote server which controlled by the developers. In order to receive such key, victims have to contact cyber criminals via the provided email address.

The cost of key is currently unidentified, usually they demand $500-$1000 Bitcoin. Developers also offer free decryption of some encrypted file. File does not contain any valuable information and does not longer than 1mb in size. They also show warning message if victim try to decrypt data using any third party software then they can lose their data permanently. However, cyber criminals often ignore the victims once payments are submitted. Therefore, users are highly instructed not to contact these people and pay any money to them.

Text presented in this message:

hallo, our dear friend!
looks like you have some troubles with your security
all your files are now encrypted
using third-party recovering software will corrupt your data
you have only one way to get them back safety – using our decryption tool
to get original decryption tool contact us with email is subject like write your ID which your can find
in name of every encrypted file, also attach to email 3 crypted files.
[email protected]
It is your interest to respond as soon as possible to ensure the restoration of your files because we won’t keep your decryption keys at our servers more than 72 hours in interest of our security
PS. only in case you don’t receive a response from the first email address within 24 hours, please use this alternative email address [email protected]

Message presented within the (README.TXT) text file:

ATTENTION!
At the moment, your system is not protected.
We can fix it and restore files.
To restore the system write to this address:
[email protected]

How to recover files without paying ransom?

Paying money is not advisable because there is no any proof that the cyber criminals behind this provide the full decryption key even after paying the ransom. Besides that, paying the ransom encourage them to earn more and more profit by illegal ways. Thus, you should remove Dharma ransomware soon from the computer and try out other recovery methods. Manually, restoring files encrypted by Dharma is currently impossible because at present there are no tools available to perform this function. Therefore, the only possible solution is to restore your files from a backup. In case, backup files are not found you can use third party data recovery tool.

How did Dharma ransomware intrude on my PC?

These ransomware viruses and other malware are distributed into the PC using spam emails, peer to peer networks and other similar third party download sources such as free file hosting sites, unofficial pages, freeware download sites etc, Trojans and fake software updating tools. Cyber offender often sends hundreds or thousands of spam emails to the recipients with the aim to opening them. Such type of emails contains malicious attachments in various formats like as PDF documents, MS Office, executable and so on. Opening such type of emails/file cause the installation of malware. Therefore, users are advised not to open any files received from unrecognizable emails or download files from unofficial sources.

Remove Dharma ransomware

Manual malware removal instructions have been discussed below under this article in step by step manner. Go through it so that you will not find any trouble while performing the virus removal process. This process is risky as well as time-taking. So, users are instructed to use some reliable removal tool such as Spyhunter that has the capability to remove Dharma ransomware and infiltrated malware completely and safely from the system.

Quick Glance

Name: Dharma ransomware

Type: Files-locker, Ransomware, Crypto-virus

Ransom demanded: In Bitcoin

Ransom demanding message: README.txt   

Short Description: It is ransomware program that encrypts files, photos, videos and other important documents on the target system with unique key. If user wants to recover their files then have to pay the ransom.

Symptoms: Restrict access to most of the files on the system, display ransom demanding message.

Distribution Method: spam email attachments, clicking on malicious links, visiting on commercial website, bundled free software programs and many more.  

Removal: Use Spyhunter to remove Dharma ransomware from the PC. Once malware gets removed, restore your files using backup (if available).

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Dharma ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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