Remove LyDark ransomware And Recover Encrypted Files

Complete Guideline To Delete LyDark ransomware

LyDark ransomware is a type of hazardous malware threat which encrypts files and then asks victims to pay the attackers a sum of ransom to get the decryption tool. It’s the latest variant of Xorist ransomware and it totally spoils your crucial files and documents so that can’t open any of them. This ransomware is very destructive and can compromise almost all kinds of data including images, power-point, documents, archives, spreadsheet etc. It uses a strong encryption algorithm to lock the target files and also add the suffix “.LyDark” at the end of those files.

Depth Analysis of LyDark ransomware:

Upon performing the successful encryption process, LyDark ransomware displays two ransom notes in a pop-up window and “HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt” text file that are put on each folder and informs victims about the encryption process. Users are also instructed to contact the attackers via Telegram messenger to get further details. The replaced desktop wallpaper also tells the affected people to contact the hackers via Telegram. At the end, they may have to pay the crooks a ransom amount of $200 to $1500 in BitCoins cryptocurrency to get the decryption software and open the locked data.

Should You Pay The ransom?

After getting ransom note from LyDark ransomware or other crypto-virus authors, most of the victims agree to pay ransom to the attackers. However, team of security experts never recommends doing so because they don’t assure that they will provide you the required decryptor even after taking the extortion. The only objective of such crooks is to extort illicit revenues from the victimized users. There are a number of victims who experienced financial loss after dealing with the criminals. So, you should trust such people as there is huge chance of getting scammed and end up with losing both files as well as money.

What Should The Victims Do?

If you are a victim of this notorious infection, first of all you should focus on LyDark ransomware removal from the computer immediately. As far as restoring the infected files is concerned, you should use alternative methods such as backups that you have saved on any external drive. If you don’t have an appropriate backup, you can also try a powerful data-recovery program which you can download right here via the link provided under this article.

Threat Specification

Name: LyDark ransomware

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

Short Description: Destructive malware which encodes users’ important data and then forces them into paying the attackers an amount of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension:  “.LyDark”

Ransom Demanding Notes: Text presented in the pop-up window and HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt

Attackers’ contact: @LyDarkr and @LyDark (Telegram)

Symptoms: Encrypted files become inaccessible stored inside the compromised PCs, A pop-up window and a ransom note is displayed. Victims are asked to pay an amount of ransom to get the functional decryptor and unlock their encoded data and 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.

Ways To Spread LyDark ransomware:

The most common way of distributing file-encrypting viruses is through spam emails. You may receive a lot of emails from unknown senders stating that you need to get your parcel from the local FedEx department or pay different bills. However, all such messages are not from legitimate official mails of these reputable companies. All such letters contain malicious file that is utilized as a ransomware carrier. As soon as recipients open this file, their computers get infected by a crypto-malware. The examples of such virulent files are PDF and Microsoft Office documents, archives (RAR, ZIP, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), JavaScript, and so on.

So, it is highly recommended to ignore suspicious emails that you receive from sender you don’t know. Such mails are designed in a way that they can easily tempt recipients into downloading their attachment. And hence, whenever you get a mail from unknown sender containing a file, you should first scan the attachment using a dependable anti-malware tool and of you find anything suspicious, ignore it. In case your PC is already infected with this crypto-virus, you must remove LyDark ransomware from the machine without wasting any time.

Text Presented In The Ransom Notes:

Attention! All your files are encrypted!

To restore your files and access them,

please send an SMS with the TELEGRAM to @LyDarkr

Hacked By Team Skull Death

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete LyDark ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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