Remove Thanos ransomware And Restore Locked Files

Tips To Delete Thanos ransomware

Thanos ransomware has been identified as a destructive kind of computer malware that was first spotted by security researcher GrujaRS. Once this precarious crypto-virus sneaks into the Windows devices, it encrypts files and data stored inside the machine using a powerful cryptography and makes users unable to access them. This deadly parasite is able to infect almost all kinds of files including pictures, audios, videos, documents, spreadsheets etc. It also renames the encrypted data by appending “.locked” extension with each of them as suffix. After that, opening the locked files is impossible until a decryption tool is used which allegedly only attackers can provide.

Depth Analysis of Thanos ransomware:

Once the encryption process is completed, Thanos ransomware leaves a ransom note titled “HOW_TO_DECYPHER_FILES.txt” on each affected folder and informs victims regarding the attack. It states that all your files are encrypted and shadow copies are deleted. It is also mentioned that all the data stored on the compromised system were downloaded and will be leaked if the ransom is not paid. To get more instruction on how to make payment, victims will have to contact the attackers via the provided email address. At the end, you may have to pay the criminals a hefty sum of ransom in BitCoins crypto-currency.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

You certainly don’t want to lose your important files locked by Thanos ransomware but still, it is never a good idea to fulfill criminals’ demand. Keep in mind that the only objective of such hackers is to extort illicit revenues from the victimized users. You have absolutely no guarantee that they will deliver the required tool even after taking the extortion. It has been tendency of such hackers that they often disappear once the payment is done or provide rogue tool in the name of decryption software. So, we strongly deny from making any sort of payment to the attackers no matter what situation is.

How To Restore The Locked Files?

Before you try to recover the encrypted data, you should first focus on Thanos ransomware removal from the work-station immediately. As far as restoring the infected files is concerned, there are alternative options which you can use such as backups or third-party file-recovery application. You can download a powerful recovery software via the link given under this article. Paying ransom to attackers is never recommended as it will only encourage them to trigger more such lethal attacks for future profits. However, you must get rid of this virus from the work-station as soon as possible.

Quick Glance

Name: Thanos ransomware

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

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

Extension:  “.locked”

Ransom Demanding Notes: ”HOW_TO_DECYPHER_FILES.txt”

Attackers’ Contact: “[email protected]”

Symptoms: Locked files become inaccessible and useless stored inside the infected PCs, previous functional data now have different extension, a ransom demanding message is put on each affected folder. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock 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.

Ways To Spread Thanos ransomware:

File-encrypting viruses are spread through various sources including malspam campaigns, unofficial software activation tools, fake updating tools, Trojans, unreliable software download sources etc. Cyber criminals send phishing emails that contain vicious attachments or download links for spiteful file. Typically the attached file are in these formats such as executable (.exe or other executable) file or JavaScript file, Microsoft Office or PDF document, archive file like ZIP, RAR. When recipients download a file from dubious mail and then open it, they end up installing crypto-malware in their work-station.

Tips To Prevent Such Attacks:

You should never update your operating system and installed software with third-party or unofficial tools. Activating licensed software this way or using installers for pirated app is not legal. To activate or update software, you should use safe and proper way which is by using official tools, provided by software developers. Moreover, download any software or product from official sites and via direct links and avoid using other channels like unofficial pages, Peer-to-Peer networks, third-party downloaders etc.

Furthermore, you should never open attachments or links in emails that you receive from unknown addresses or suspicious senders. In case your device is already infected with this crypto-malware, you must remove Thanos ransomware from the PC without wasting any time.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

your files, documents, and all of your network encrypted.

all backup drive and tape deleted of formatted.

all shadow copies deleted.

==================================================================

DONT RESTART PC

DONT TOUCH OR EDIT LOCKED FILES

DONT USE REGULAR RECOVERY SOFTWARE, EVEN “MICROSOFT RECOVERY TOOL”

ALL OF THOSE NOTES WILL CAUSE YOU LOST YOUR FILES FOR EVER

===================================================================

important files, documents and etc downloaded, after purchase time if you dont pay, we will leak them

===================================================================

contact : [email protected]

Key Identifier:

–

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Thanos ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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