Remove LOTUS ransomware And Open Locked files

LOTUS ransomware: Manual Removal Process

LOTUS ransomware is a highly dangerous file-encrypting virus that comes from the family of Dharma ransomware. Once this destructive crypto-malware successfully infiltrates the Windows computers, it encrypts files stored inside the machine using a strong cipher and makes users unable to open them again. This precarious malware also renames the compromised data by adding victims’ ID, attackers’ email address and appending “.LOTUS” extension with each of them. When your system gets attacked by this hazardous parasite, all your images, videos, audios, PDFs, documents, spreadsheets etc. can be compromised and can only be accessed by using a proper decryption tool that is allegedly kept on attackers’ server.

Depth Analysis of LOTUS ransomware:

Following successful encryption, LOTUS ransomware displays couple of ransom notes in a pop-up window and “MANUAL.txt” text file. These notes inform victims regarding the attack and also instruct them to contact the attackers via the provided email addresses. Users are also warned not to rename the data or try to unlock them with some third-party tools as it may lead to permanent data loss. Eventually, the victimized people may have to pay the hackers a sum of $200 to $1500 as ransom amount to get the necessary decryption tool and open the encrypted files.

Does Paying Ransom Work?

Paying ransom to LOTUS ransomware authors is never recommended as they don’t give any assurance that they will provide you the required decryptor even after taking the extortion. There are multiple instances when crooks just ignored the victims once the ransom is paid or delivered shady application in the name of decryption tool even causes even more damages in the machine upon installed. So, never trust such people as there are huge chances of getting scammed and ending up losing both files as well as money.

How To Recover The Infected Files?

Before you try to access the encrypted files, you should first focus on LOTUS ransomware removal from the computer as early as possible. After that, you can recover the data from a recently made backup saved on any external location. Many people don’t have appropriate backups so in such case, they can try a powerful file-recovery application. Be very careful while choosing recovery software as scammers generally deceive victims into purchasing rogue tool. You can download an effective file-recovery program right here via the link provided under this article. Dealing with the attackers is not a clever thing to do under any situation as it will only urge them to create and spread more such viruses for future profits.

Threat Summary

Name: LOTUS ransomware

Type: Ransomware, File-encrypting malware, Crypto-virus

Short Description: Deadly virus which encrypts essential files and then asks victims to pay the attackers a huge sum of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension:  “.LOTUS”

Ransom Note: MANUAL.txt

Attackers’ contact: [email protected], [email protected]

Symptoms: Files become unusable stored inside infected systems, previous functional files now have different extension, a pop-up window and a text file is displayed. Victims are asked to pay an amount of ransom to decrypt their encrypted files.

Distribution methods: Spam emails, peer to peer network sharing, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be accessed without paying ransom, Additional password stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed along with ransomware infections and other malware.

Removal: To remove this virus from the system, we advise you to use a reliable anti-malware tool. Once malware gets removed, you can recover your files by using existing backup or data-recovery software.

Penetration of LOTUS ransomware:

The most common technique through which crypto-viruses enter the target computers is spam emails. During a malspam campaign, a number of deceptive emails are sent by cyber criminals that include vicious attachments. These emails are specially designed in a manner that recipients easily get trapped into opening them and downloading malicious files attached to them. However, as soon as they open, run or execute the attachment, it triggers the installation of ransomware. The spiteful file could be in any of these formats such as: JavaScript files, Microsoft Office documents, executable files (like .exe), PDF documents or some archive files (like ZIP, RAR).

And so, you should avoid opening emails coming from unknown addresses. Before opening a suspicious email, you should first scan the attachment using a reputable anti-malware tool. In case your PC is already infected with their crypto-threat and all your important files and documents are locked, you must remove LOTUS ransomware from the device as soon as possible.

Text Presented In The Pop-up Window:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

Don’t worry,you can return all your files!

If you want to restore them, write to the mail: [email protected] YOUR ID –

If you have not answered by mail within 12 hours, write to us by another 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.

Text Presented In The “MANUAL.txt” File:

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

write email [email protected] or [email protected]

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete LOTUS ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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