.Merry File Virus Ransomware Removal (File Recovery Steps)

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In this article we are going to try and help you remove .Merry File Virus Ransomware. Our instructions cover all Windows versions.

There are a lot of different types of software viruses out there that can infect your PC and cause all sorts of problems. However, if there is one particular type that stands out as the most problematic and dangerous, that would probably be the infamous Ransomware. While this is not a particularly new kind of malware, it was not until fairly recently that it started to gain momentum. Today, Ransomware viruses are the scourge of the internet, infecting numerous systems every day and locking all personal user files on them via a complex encryption code. Once the data has been locked, the malicious program displays a message on the user’s screen, in which the user is informed that if they are to regain access to the locked data, they’d need to pay a certain amount of money as ransom for the decryption key needed to unlock the files.

.Merry Virus

We are writing this article mainly due to the recent reports of a new Ransomware virus called .Merry. Our aim here is to inform our readers about this malicious program so that they know how to protect their computers from it. Additionally, we will offer you a possible removal guide for .Merry, which might help you deal with the nasty virus if it has already invaded your system. Just bear in mind that we cannot guarantee a hundred percent success in all cases of Ransomware infection. This type of malware is particularly problematic and difficult to deal with. Thus, even the best removal methods might not always work with it.

Why antivirus programs are often ineffective

One of the major issues that most users face when their computer gets attacked by .Merry is that their antivirus software fails to spot the infection. This is because of the method that most Ransomware viruses use in order to lock the user’s data. As we already mentioned above, this method is called encryption. The reason why this is important is because encryption processes are not inherently malicious. In fact, it is very common for legit programs to use encryption, so as to protect their files. Most antivirus scanners and tools let encryption processes that are being run on the computer to continue until they are finished, since the security software does not see the encryption as something malicious. Ransomware creators turn this against you by using the method of encryption to lock your personal data. Once the process is over, you will be no longer able to open any of the files that the virus has targeted.

Symptoms of the encryption

While your security software might prove ineffective against a Ransomware virus, you can technically spot the infection manually. For that, you’d have to be very vigilant and attentive. The most common symptoms are high consumption of virtual memory and CPU time (without any apparent reason), as well as less free hard disk space than you should normally have. It is important to note that the encryption usually does not happen in an instant, especially if you have large amounts of data stored on your PC. In order to lock the files, the virus first needs to copy them. The copied documents are actually the ones that are encrypted. This stage of the process is what requires the extra HDD space that the Ransomware uses. After this part is over, the original files are deleted and you are left only with the inaccessible copies. If you think that your computer might be under a Ransomware attack, immediately take the machine to a specialist to have it examined and you might just be able to save some of your data from being locked by .Merry.

Why opting for the ransom payment is a bad idea

Our readers need to understand that even though it might sound tempting to simply pay the ransom if it’s affordable, going for that is actually a very bad idea. The hacker might or might not send you the encryption key and there’s nothing you can do to force them into sending it to you. Bear in mind that the most common payment method is via bitcoins. This cryptocurrency is practically untraceable, so there’s almost no chance of tracking down the criminal. Last but not least, sending the money would surely serve as encouragement to the hacker to continue developing Ransomware viruses and blackmailing more people with them. Our suggestion for those of you who’ve fallen victims to .Merry is to try out our guide below the article and see if it works for you. Even if it doesn’t solve everything, it certainly is a much more preferable alternative and it will not cost you anything.

Tips for handling Ransomware threats

The following rules and guidelines are extremely important. Bear in mind that these viruses are only getting more advanced and dangerous, so the only truly effective method for dealing with them is to ensure that they stay away from your PC and the next tips will help you do exactly that.

• Your browser should never be allowed to automatically download files. Your permission should always be required when a file is about to be downloaded.
• Consider investing into professional security software. Some developers are already trying to implement Ransomware protection features. Also, a good antivirus will help you fend off backdoor malware, which is very often used for infecting computers with Ransomware.
• Be careful not to open or interact with the contents of any spam emails/online text messages.
• Stay safe while surfing the internet by avoiding shady and potentially illegal/malicious websites.
• Create backup copies of all important data on a separate device (or devices).
• Never connect external memory devices to your PC if you suspect a Ransomware infection – those devices might get infected as well!

.Merry File Virus Ransomware Removal

# 1

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Enter Windows Safe mode.

• Win 7 Users: Restart your PC –> keep on clicking F8 –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Mode with Networking.
• Win 8 Users: Start Button –> Control Panel –> System and Security –> Administrative Tools –> System Configuration –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Boot –>
• Win 10 users: Start Menu –> Power Options Menu –> Hold down the SHIFT button while clicking on Restart –> Troubleshoot –> Advanced Options –> Startup Settings –> Restart –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Mode with Networking.

# 2

Open Task Manager and locate any processes associated with .Merry.

• Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys simultaneously –> Processes Tab –> Select a suspicious process (use Google or ask us in the comments if you are not sure about a process) –> Right Click and Open File Location –> End the suspicious process in Task Manager –> Delete the Folders containing the suspicious files.

# 3

Open the Registry Editor and search for .Merry.

• Win 7 Users: Click Start and type regedit –> Enter –> Press CTRL + F buttons –> Type Cryp1 Virus in the search field.
• Win 8/10 users: Start Button –> Choose Run –> type regedit –> Enter Press CTRL + F buttons –> Type .Merry in the search field.

# 4

Try to recover your files. First you will need System Restore.

• Win 7 Users: Start button –> Type Windows System Restore –> Enter –> Open System Restore –> Select a Restore Point and revert to it.
• Win 8 Users: Hold down the Windows key + Q –> Type Recovery –> Settings –> Choose the Recovery icon –> Open System Restore –> Select a Restore Point.
• Win 10 Users: Start Menu –> Power Options Menu –> Hold down the SHIFT button while clicking on Restart –> Troubleshoot –> Advanced Options –> System Restore –> Select a Restore Point and apply it.

Secondly use program that can access your Shadow Copies.

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• Use Google to find the official website of such a program and download it.
• Use the program to select the file types and the hard drive locations you want the program to scan for.
• Start the scan and keep in mind that it might take a while.
• Once the scan has been completed just select the files you want to be recovered.

If you have questions or suggestions feel free to use our comments section!