Remove Sz40 ransomware And Recover Encrypted Files

Complete Guideline To Delete Sz40 ransomware

Sz40 ransomware is one of the most dangerous types of computer virus which tends to encrypt users’ crucial files and then extort huge amount of ransom money from them in exchange of the decryption tool. As soon as this hazardous parasite successfully infiltrates the Windows computers, it first changes the settings of registry editors in order to get automatically activated with each PC startup and to remain persistent. After that, it starts its malicious activities and encrypts all users’ images, videos, audios, documents, PDFs etc. using powerful RSA-2048 cryptography. After that, those files are no longer accessible.

Depth Analysis of Sz40 ransomware:

Sz40 ransomware has two different variants. Once marks the locked data with “.sz40” extension and the other doesn’t change the filenames. After completing the encryption process, this precarious threat displays a ransom note named “HELP_SECURITY_EVENT.html” and informs victims regarding the attack. It also states that to regain access to the compromised files, they must purchase the decryption keys from the attackers. The deadline to pay the ransom is not listed however, if victims don’t make the payment within the unspecified time, all the encrypted data will be exposed online, sent to large mass media and the customers themselves.

Note displayed by Sz40 ransomware also instructs users to leave their email in the Sz40 ransomware will decrypt them and send them back to you to prove that the decryption is possible. Users are promised that once the payment is made, they will be delivered the decryption keys and recovery instructions. They are also warned not to use anti-virus tools or attempt to alter the encrypted files, otherwise it may lead to permanent data loss.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Although, data encrypted by Sz40 ransomware can’t be accessed without the use of proper decryption tool. However, you should not consider making any sort of payment to the crooks as they don’t give any assurance that they will provide you the required decryptor even after taking the ransom. There are several occasions when hackers just ignored the victimized users or delivered shady app in the name of decryption tool. Also, paying ransom to such people will only encourage them to trigger more such attacks for further profits. So, never consider dealing with the hackers no matter what situation is and focus on Sz40 ransomware removal from the computer as soon as possible. After that, you can restore the compromised files using backups or an effective file-recovery application.

Threat Summary

Name: Sz40 ransomware

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

Short Description: Deadly virus which encrypts users’ crucial data and then forces them into paying the attackers an amount of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension:  .sz40 or filenames remain unchanged (depending on ransomware variant)

Ransom Demanding Note: HELP_SECURITY_EVENT.html

Attackers’ contact: Website on Tor network

Symptoms: Locked data become inaccessible stored inside the compromised PCs, previous functional files now have different extension, A ransom note is exhibited. 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 Sz40 ransomware:

Similar to other file-encrypting viruses, this particular one also generally enters the target computers via email spam. It can also be spread through other sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, fake software updates, Trojans etc. but, at most of the times malspam campaign is employed. Hackers create persuasive email messages and send them out to thousands of users. Such deceptive mails usually recommend seeing “an important attachment” such as missing or pending tax payment, invoice, and so on. However, the moment recipients open the document, it triggers the virus installation process right away.

And therefore, you should avoid opening emails coming from unknown senders as you never know what they are bringing to your device. Additionally, you should avoid downloading programs from unreliable sources, peer-to-peer networks etc. and always rely on official pages, direct links only for the process. In case your device is already infected with this crypto-malware, you must remove Sz40 ransomware from the system as early as possible.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

.sz40

Good day!

We have download and encrypted all your company files!

We did this using hybrid RSA – 2048 public key encryption.It basically means there is no way to decrypt your files without the private key.The private key is stored on our server.

Indeed, we can recover your files.You just have to pay us before the deadline.If you don’t, the private key will be securely erased from our server, you lose encrypted files forever and we will publish all the contents of your company includes client files, databases and all correspondence on the internet, send it to mass media and your customers.

Leave your contact mail to hxxp://k5q5tnewg4rvbrkce7h6wrx3tdy2tdyj6jylmirtvweb3dr4bj2zhvad.onion/index.php (it’s Tor site, use Tor Browser hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/) to get instructions and key to restore all your files. Or leave your contact mail to decrypt 2 files for free. After payment will recieve, we securely delete all your files from our servers.

WARNING! Antivirus software, police or anyone can’t decrypt your files. Also any attemps to modify files may damaged them and even we won’t be able to recover them.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Sz40 ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Sz40 ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Sz40 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 Sz40 ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Sz40 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 Sz40 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 Sz40 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 Sz40 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 Sz40 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 Sz40 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 Sz40 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 Sz40 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 Sz40 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.