Remove K2 ransomware [File Recovery Instructions]

Proper methods to delete K2 ransomware

K2 ransomware is another dangerous crypto-malware that is capable of encrypting user’s crucial files and data kept in the internal memory of their PCs and making them totally useless and inaccessible. In most of the cases, this type of malware renames locked files and provides contact details and payment instructions. After encrypting files, this ransomware renames all affected files by adding victim’s ID, developers email address and by appending “.k2” extension to the end of their filenames.

You may know that this malware belongs to VoidCrypt ransomware family. Just after that, K2 ransomware drops ransom note (!INFO.HTA) in all folders that contain encrypted files. The created note contains a statement that files cannot be accessed without using right decryption tools. It asks you to contact hackers via email to get decryption key and unlock your files. It also says that price of that tool depends whether victims will contact developers within off after 28 hours after installation of ransomware.

In order to get instructions on how to pay for that tool, users are instructed to contact cyber criminals by writing them an email to the provided email address. There are no any third party tools available that can access file encrypted by K2 ransomware. According to the cyber experts, it is trap created by hackers to fool innocent users and make money online. You are not able to get anything in return even after successful payment of ransom money.

Text presented in the “!INFO.HTA” file (ransom note):

!!! Your Files Has Been Encrypted !!!♦ your files has been locked with highest secure cryptography algorithm ♦
♦ there is no way to decrypt your files without paying and buying Decryption tool♦
♦ but after 48 hour decryption price will be double♦
♦ you can send some little files for decryption test♦
♦ test file should not contain valuable data♦
♦ after payment you will get decryption tool ( payment Should be with Bitcoin)♦
♦ so if you want your files dont be shy feel free to contact us and do an agreement on price♦
♦ !!! or Delete you files if you dont need them !!!
♦Your ID :-
our Email :[email protected]
In Case Of No Answer :[email protected]

How to restore the encrypted files?

Usually, it is possible to decrypt files without tools that can be provided only by ransomware developers when ransomware has bugs or flaws. However, it is not common for ransomware to have such vulnerabilities. Therefore, users are recommended to always have a data backed up and store it on remote server and unplugged storage device. You can use such backup files to restore all your encrypted files and files. In case, backup files are not found, users are advised to use third party data recovery tool to release your files.

How did ransomware infect my PC?

Ransomware developers use several different techniques to invade into your PC without permission. Mainly, cyber criminals spread ransomware via Trojans, unofficial software updating, spam campaigns, unreliable download tools and many other ways. Cyber crooks send emails that contain attached files and think that some of the recipients will open them. Mistakenly, if you open such attachments, this harmful file install once or another malware. So, you must avoid clicking on any spam emails which contains malicious attachments or especially that are received from unknown or suspicious addresses.

How to avoid installation of ransomware infection?

In order to avoid such a critical situation, users must realize that the key to computer safety is caution and therefore you must always pay attention while downloading or installing any software. Third party downloader and other tools should not be used as they likely include rogue apps. To install any applications, users are recommended to use official pages or direct links.

Additionally, installed programs have to be updated with tools that are designed by their official developers. It is not legal to use unofficial activation tools for pirated software. Despite this, users are recommended to install reputable antivirus software and keep them up-to-date to perform regular computer scan. This tool will help you to detect and eliminate malware immediately.

Threat summary

Name: K2 ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Cryptovirus

Files extension: .k2

Ransom demanding message: !INFO.HTA  

Symptoms: Add .k2 extension name to each and every file that it encrypt and demands money in order to allegedly recover them.

Distribution methods: peer to peer file sharing networks, spam email attachments, unsafe hyperlinks, deceptive pop-up ads, corrupted websites and so on.

Damage: Locks and damage the user files and makes it totally useless and inaccessible until the ransom payment is done.

Removal: Both manual as well as automatic removal guidelines have been described below under this article.

File Recovery: Use existing backup or other data recovery tool.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove K2 ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete K2 ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove K2 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 K2 ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with K2 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 K2 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 K2 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 K2 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 K2 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 K2 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 K2 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 K2 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 K2 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.