Remove Ghost ransomware and restore encrypted files

Easy tips to delete Ghost ransomware and restore data

Ghost ransomware is a huge risk ransomware infection, designed to encrypt stored files and demand ransom payment for the decryption. The malware is discovered by MalwareHunterTeam. Once a system got infected with this virus, all stored files become inaccessible. The infected files are appended with .Ghost extension to make them distinguishable from other unaffected files. The ransom payment instruction is displayed in a poop-up window rightly after the files encryption process is completed.

According to the text presented in the pop-up window opened by Ghost ransomware, victims have all stored files become inaccessible as these are encoded with some strong cipher algorithm. The files decryption is possible only after using a right decryption tool. To receive this tool, the users are urged to contact to the crooks and pay them 0.08116 of Bitcoin (currently equivalent to ~$425). This is unusual – as the crooks never the decryption tool even if all their demands are met. They just ignore the victims – once the payment is received, just disappear leaving the victims without their files.

Unfortunately, this is true that in the ransomware infection cases, the crooks’ involvement is necessary for the files decryption. They have the right decryption tool that they manage to create during the encryption process. However, as said, these are not reliable. So, you should think of some alternatives for the files recovery. The best option is to remove Ghost ransomware and recover the files using existing backups. The malware removal is necessary to prevent further files encryption. You will find complete guide below the post on how to perform the removal process with an ease.

However, the malware removal will not do anything to the encrypted files. In other word, you need to do perform files recovery process separately using various possible reliable alternatives available. Once of such is existing backups. The problem is that not all users have such backups available. In this case, you need to check if shadow copies exist on the system –these automatically created backups from OS are sometimes left untouched during the ransomware attack and files recovery process. Other data recovery option is to use data recovery tool. For detail guided on the files recovery, there is a separate data recovery section provided for you below the post.

Full text presented in the ransom note displayed by Ghost ransomware:

All your files have been encrypted

All your files have been encrypted, but don’t worry, I have not deleted them yet.

To desencrypt them, you have to pay 0.08116 bitcoin to following address:

–

Them, send a mail to [email protected] with your CODE ID.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Code ID –

How did Ghost ransomware enter my computer?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed via spam email campaigns, untrustworthy third party software downloading sources, fake software updating tools and Trojans. Cyber crooks employ spam campaigns to send viruses through malicious email attachments such as websites links and dubious files. The emails usually contain malicious Microsoft Office Documents, Archives, JavaScript, PDFs, executable and etc. Once opened, these attachments download/ install viruses.

Untrustworthy downloading sources such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites, free file hosting, and freeware download websites and other similar sources spread malware by presenting it as legit software. Fake software updating tools exploit bugs/ flaws of outdated software or directly download malware instead of providing updates. Unofficial software activation tools infect systems by allegedly activating licensed version of software.

How to prevent ransomware intrusion?

To prevent the system infection from ransomware, users require staying cautious during software day to day browsing activities, installing, downloading and updating software carefully, analyzing each email that they receive before opening the provided attachments and avoiding any software cracks, cheats. Also, there is required adding an extra protection layer to the PC by downloading/ installing a reputable antivirus tool. The software should be powerful enough to detect all type of viruses and the one that regularly updates their database of virus detection.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Ghost ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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