“All your files have been encrypted” Virus Removal (+File Recovery)

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Welcome to our “All your files have been encrypted” Virus removal guide. The following instructions will aid you in removing the unwanted software from your PC for free.

You have probably heard something about viruses defined as Ransomware. This term is related to all the programs that do something damaging to your computer: like encrypting very important data; and after that requiring money in order to set these files “free”. “All your files have been encrypted” Virus is a representative of this exact malware category. That’s why we have gathered all the essential information about these malicious threats in the following article. This malware gathers the most dangerous viruses known to all users in a very cruel family. All the programs from this category show incredibly harmful features. In the next paragraphs we have discussed the most typical subcategories of this malware. These viruses might have varying goals and behavioral traits but what makes members of one and the same family is their ability to disturb the victim users and make them pay a ransom in return for something on the infected system.

Ransomware Categories

This malware can be divided into the following subgroups:

• The greatest share represents the infamous file-encrypting Ransomware, the exact subcategory “All your files have been encrypted” falls into. These viruses usually sneak into your computer in an intrusive way; stay hidden until they have determined which directories and data you normally use; after that they encode them with a very complex encryption key. Then, a ransom-demanding alert is generated to let you know about the encryption of your data; as well as about the possible ways to complete the necessary payment. Such harassing notifications may really be frightening. Seldom can you encounter a more dangerous program, as your data might never get decrypted, and you may lose both the files and your money.
• Moreover, you can come across screen-locking Ransomware. They either infect your computer and block its desktop or they can infect your mobile device and lock the displays of your smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. The vital part is that no encryption of your files could occurs in this case. You will just be incapable of reaching anything on the affected device, and you will be required to pay ransom for unlocking your screens.
• You may also come across Ransomware programs, which are exploited by the authorities (specialized agencies of the government) to make cyber criminals pay fines or just to prevent them from using their super powerful computers. This is the only positive usage of this software.

Where Ransomware usually hides

In general, you can easily get infected with Ransomware. Also, these days, “All your files have been encrypted” is also very common as such viruses could be distributed via almost everything on the Internet. They might come as parts of torrents; illegal software spreading web pages; and websites of any kind. However, the most typical sources are the ones we have discussed in the following text:

• Malicious pop-ups and ads in general: Not all of the ads on the web are just advertising something. Some of them could indeed be tools for sending you to websites, which may contain viruses. As you cannot tell the malvertisement products apart from the harmless ads, we can just recommend that you stay away from them all. Do not open, load or click on any pop-up, banner or other type of advertisements, which you could encounter on the web.
• Update requests, which are not genuine: You might receive fake update alerts, which function in a way similar to this of the fake advertisements – they can redirect you to contagious websites. That’s why you shouldn’t automatically install anything on your PC. Instead, you should check for any updates manually.
• Suspicious emails: Our advice to you is to avoid opening any email you don’t expect, don’t recognize or looks shady in some way. Some of them may be malware-containing, and you are supposed to stay as far away as possible from such letters. Remember that not only the emails themselves may be contagious; their attachments might also be infected. Simply do not download or open any of them. It is essential to say in such a case (Ransomware coming from your email) that “All your files have been encrypted” could be distributed along with other viruses – normally, a Trojan horse. Just learn to be cautious, as Trojan horses are likely to cause even more serious harm than the Ransomware-like malware.

The best way to ensure the safety of your system and files is to prevent Ransomware attacks from happening in the first place. And our tip for that is to simply avoid all the potential Ransomware sources and invest your money in top-quality anti-malware software, instead of in paying ransom.

What to do if “All your files have been encrypted” has already contaminated your PC

In case you have already got the terrible ransom-requiring message, you can only hope for the best. In fact, there is no 100% sure method of removing this virus, and saving your files. Of course, you may want to explore several options, however, not a single one of them will promise you virus removal and file decryption. Still, we recommend that you try the Removal Guide below first and then think about other possible solutions to this serious issue.

“All your files have been encrypted” Virus Removal

 Here is what you need to do in order to remove a Ransomware virus from you computer.

I – Reveal Hidden files and folders and utilize the task manager

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1. Use the Folder Options in order to reveal the hidden files and folders on your PC. If you do not know how to do that, follow this link.
2. Open the Start Menu and in the search field type Task Manager.
   
3. Open the first result and in the Processes tab, carefully look through the list of Processes.
4. If you notice with the virus name or any other suspicious-looking or that seems to consume large amounts of memory, right-click on it and open its file location. Delete everything in there.
   

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• Make sure that the hidden files and folders on your PC are visible, else you might not be able to see everything.

5. Go back to the Task Manager and end the shady process.

II – Boot to Safe Mode

• Boot your PC into Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do it, use this guide/linked/.

III – Identify the threat

1. Go to the ID Ransomware website. Here is a direct link.
2. Follow there in order to identify the specific virus you are dealing with.

IV – Decrypt your files

1. Once you have identified the virus that has encrypted your files, you must acquire the respective tool to unlock your data.
2. Open your browser and search for how to decrypt ransomware, look for the name of the one that has infected your system.
3. With any luck, you’d be able to find a decryptor tool for your ransomware. If that doesn’t happen try Step V as a last ditch effort to save your files.

V – Use Recuva to restore files deleted by the virus

1. Download the Recuva tool. This will help you restore your original files so that you won’t need to actually decrypt the locked ones.
2. Once you’ve downloaded the program, open it and select Next.
   
3. Now choose the type of files you are seeking to restore and continue to the next page.
4. When asked where your files were, before they got deleted, either use the option In a specific location and provide that location or choose the opt for the I am not sure alternative – this will make the program look everywhere on your PC.
   
5. Click on Next and for best results, enable the Deep Scan option (note that this might take some time).
   
6. Wait for the search to finish and then select which of the listed files you want to restore.

• Keep in mind it is possible that not all files might be fully recovered. You can check in what condition the files are from the State column in the list of deleted files.