Remove HAT ransomware & retrieve locked files

Tips to delete HAT ransomware from PC

HAT ransomware is seriously harmful computer malware that comes under the family of Dharma ransomware. This file virus is capable to intrude into any Windows based computer very easily and locks down all data stored on the hard drive.  This virus is created by hackers with sole purpose of cheating innocent users and taking their money forcibly. After that, all affected filenames are retiled with victim’s unique ID, cyber criminals email address and “.HAT” extension. As soon as encryption process gets completed, ransom notes are created in a pop-up window and FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” text file.

Details about HAT ransomware

As a matter of fact all the files on your system will get changed and you won’t be able to access any of them except that ransom note which ask you what to do if you want your files back. The text presented in text file states victims that all their data has been locked and in order to restore it users are advised to contact cyber criminals through the email. Users are also suggested to use secondary email address if they did not receive the response from the cyber criminals within first 12 hours.

Users are also warned not to rename encrypted files by using third party software otherwise it may lead to permanent data loss. Moreover, it clearly says in its ransom note that you cannot recover your files without paying ransom money and it will delete the decryption key if you try to remove this infection. Thus, if you carefully read out the ransom note then you will find out that hackers behind this are really not interested in decrypting your files. They only try to deceive you and cheat your money in several ways.

If you once pay them, then soon your system will get infected by some other virus of the same group. Due to all these reasons you are highly suggested not to communicate with the cyber criminals and fulfill any of their demands. Truly said, it is really difficult to recover your files without decryption key. But on the other hand it is completely unsafe to pay ransom money to hackers. As it is not sure that this virus will keep its end of the bargain and provide you the decryption key after paying extortion money.

Text presented in HAT ransomware’s pop-up window:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED
Don’t worry,you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID –
If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:[email protected]
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

How did ransomware intrude?

Ransomware and other dubious malware are distributed into your device by using various other methods. Some of the most commonly used techniques are scam campaigns, Trojans, fake software updates and untrustworthy software downloads channels. Cyber crooks behind this send spam emails containing infectious files as an attachment. When users click on such attachment, it causes download and installation of malware as well as also leads high risk computer infections. Trojans are malicious programs that download and install additional malware.

Fake software updating tools infect system by supposedly activating software instead of the promised updates. Untrustworthy downloading sources such as free file hosting sites, peer to peer sharing networks, third party installer can offers malicious programs for downloading. Thus, for all these reasons you are advised not to use any of the methods for downloading and installing software since these are the main sources of malware as well as ransomware intrusion.

How to remove HAT ransomware and recover files?

In order to remove HAT ransomware, two processes have been discussed below namely automatic and manual. As you know, manual malware removal guide might be lengthy and a complicated process as well as also requires advanced computer skills. So, if you are novice users, then we suggest you to use some reputable antivirus tool that automatically remove infiltrated ransomware infections. Once PC gets cleaned, you can restore your files by using backup if created earlier before ransomware attack. In case, backup files are not found, you can recover files by using data recovery tool.

Short summary

Name: HAT ransomware

Type: File locker, Ransomware, File coder, Crypto virus, Crypto malware

Ransom note: Text presented in the popup window and FILES ENCRYPTED.txt

Cyber Criminal Contact: [email protected]

Encrypted files extension: .HAT

Symptoms: The ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .HAT extension to them, along with a unique identification number placing the new .HAT extension as a secondary.

Distribution ways: Spam mails that contain malicious links. Drive-by downloading (when a user unknowingly visits an infected web page and then malware is installed without the user’s knowledge). Social media posts (they can be used to entice users to download malware with a built-in ransomware downloader or click a malicious link). Torrent web-sites.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be opened without paying a ransom. Additional password-stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed together with a ransomware infection.

Removal: Use Spyhunter to remove HAT ransomware automatically from the PC.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete HAT ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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