Remove N2019cov ransomware and retrieve Encrypted Files

Instruction to Delete N2019cov ransomware permanently

N2019cov ransomware is a data-encrypting malware that encrypts the targeted data and demands to pay certain amount of money as ransom in exchange of decryption key. While encrypting the files, it adds .P4WN3D file extension files. For example, a file named as 123.jpg will get changed to 123.jpg.P4WN3D. Its ransom note is normally presented in a text file and it is named as [email protected].

The function of the ransom note is to inform the victim about the file encryption. The first line of the note is a phrase that says “Files has been Taken” and you are asked to buy the appropriate decryption tool in order to access the files further. The price of ransom note is 100 USD which is to be paid in Bitcoin Crypto-currency. In order to give further assistance to buy the Bitcoin money, a link is provided in the ransom note. They provide unique cyber-wallet where the crypto money is to be transferred. They promise to provide everything that you want once the money is paid.

Ransom Note Provided by N2019cov ransomware

“Files Has Been Taken;

pay or not pay that’s the question

Send $100 en Bitcoins

My Wallet: 1HQjC2SkHuUqfbuqEA9RDjSNfNPRhyMBF9

Don’t know how -> hxxps://www.blockchain.com/learning-portal/bitcoin-faq

Confirm Pay at mail: [email protected] , and you get the File to recover you”

It is true that the recovery of locked files is not possible without the interference of the cyber-criminals or without the decryption key. Unless there is any kind of bugs or the ransomware is still in its development phase. However this doesn’t mean that you should pay the ransom money to them. The cyber-criminals cannot be trusted and they often don’t provide the promised the decryption key even after receiving the full payment. The data still remains inaccessible and user face huge financial losses. If you want to stop the encryption of other files and folders, it is important to remove N2019cov ransomware from the work-station.

How to Retrieve the Encrypted Files?

As mentioned earlier, paying ransom money to the cyber-criminals is not the solution. It is a spam. The best and easiest way to retrieve the files is to use the backup files that you would have created in some external storage device prior to the ransomware attack. You can also check the “Shadow Volume Copies” which is the temporary backup files created by the OS for recently deleted or damaged files. If all these steps don’t work then it is better that you use a powerful data recovery tool having strong scanning algorithm and programming logics.

How N2019cov ransomware Get Inside the PC?

The ransomware attacks are usually executed through spam email campaigns, Software bundling, social engineering, unsafe downloads from untrusted sources and so on. You receive tons of deceptive emails in mass scale and each one of them contains malware payloads or spam links that initiate infection. As soon as you download the suspicious attachments, the infection process gets triggered. Further, Trojan are used to create chain malware infection. Downloading random programs from untrusted sources especially the peer-to-peer file sharing networks such as eMule, Torrents lead to unsafe file download hidden along with the main program.

It is important for you to take the basic precautionary measures. Don’t open random email attachments especially if the senders name is unknown or there is anything suspicious. While downloading any application, read the terms and agreement and privacy policy carefully. Always choose advance or custom installation method and stop the installation of any hidden attachment files. Upgrade the overall PC security by using a powerful anti-malware tool that has strong scanning algorithm and programing logics.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove N2019cov ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete N2019cov ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove N2019cov 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 N2019cov ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with N2019cov 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 N2019cov 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 N2019cov 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 N2019cov 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 N2019cov 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 N2019cov 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 N2019cov 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 N2019cov 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 N2019cov 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.