Expetr Virus Ransomware Removal (+File Recovery)

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Welcome to our Expetr Virus Ransomware removal guide. The following instructions will aid you in removing the unwanted software from your PC for free.

Ransomware viruses have become the world’s leading cyber threat over the years and, unfortunately, it doesn’t look like this tendency is going to decline anytime soon. This is precisely the reason why more and more users are affected by these horrible viruses each year and also why it’s very important that everyone out there be informed about this type of malware. This article is dedicated to a specific ransomware variant called Expetr Virus Ransomware, which is responsible for the encryption of people’s files and their subsequent blackmailing. However, most of what is in this article is also true for other ransomware variants, so regardless of whether you’ve fallen victim to this particular virus or are just passing by – spend a couple of minutes to read through the following few paragraphs. At the end of this article we will also provide the ransomware victims with removal instructions, which will guide them to the process of locating and deleting Expetr Virus Ransomware. In addition, there’s a separate set of instructions designed to help you recover your encrypted data, although we cannot guarantee its success, as each case of infection is different from the previous. Stick around to learn more about this extremely dangerous threat.

What makes ransomware so dangerous and what is there to do about it?

Malicious programs like Expetr Virus Ransomware operate in a very unique way that it different from the way most other viruses function. This one-of-a-kind approach is in part what ensures this malware category’s unheard of success. In short, once inside your system, the virus will proceed to scan it for certain file types. These usually include but are certainly not limited to documents, images, audio and video files, as well as even system files. Once a full list is compiled, the ransomware begins to create encrypted copies of the data, whilst also deleting the originals. This can be a slow and tedious process, depending on the specs of your computer and also the amount of data stored on it. Sometimes, although rarely, it may even cause your PC to slow down significantly and become sluggish. This is a telltale sign that could in some cases help you identify an ongoing threat, at which point it is up to you to check your Task Manager for any suspicious processes consuming large portions of resources. Should you find anything of the sort, shut down your computer immediately and seek professional help.

However, as this is most often not the case, the virus is usually left to finish its dirty business without interruption. Not even your antivirus is likely to do anything to stop it, precisely because of the encryption process. Encryption isn’t an inherently malicious; much on the contrary, it’s actually a means of protecting data, so most antimalware programs won’t even identify it as a threat. Then, once all is done, a ransom note appears on your screen, demanding a certain amount of money in exchange for a decryption key – hence the name of this malware group. Now, that may seem like a tempting, easy way out of the situation, if you can afford to pay the criminals. But let’s emphasize on the word criminals for a second ask ourselves: are those really people you will trust with your money to send you something back in return? Because very often that’s the trap people fall into and get nothing to show for it.

We would recommend exhausting all other options before you do anything as drastic as giving into the hackers’ threats and demands. As pointed out in the beginning of this article, try removing the virus first and then restoring the files with the help of the below instructions. Yes, they may not fully succeed in each and every case, but they are worth giving a try. Another very important thing every user should start practicing from now on is file backups. This can save you a great deal of trouble in case of another attack, because you will have your valuable data stored safe and sound on a separate drive. In addition, as most viruses like this rely on people forgetting basic safety measures, it’s important to always keep those in mind. Don’t just randomly open new emails without first making sure that they come from a trustworthy source, and the same goes for social media messages. Also, try to steer clear of any shady web locations that may potentially be infected with malware.

SUMMARY:

Name	Expetr Virus
Type	Ransomware
Danger Level	High (Ransomware is by far the worst threat you can encounter)
Symptoms	Very few and unnoticeable ones before the ransom notification comes up.
Distribution Method	From fake ads and fake system requests to spam emails and contagious web pages.

Expetr Virus Ransomware Removal

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

1. Insert the DVD (or the USB) into the computer, then run the computer and choose to boot the OS from the DVD/USB. You may have to change Windows boot priorities from the bios by pressing Del
2. When Windows boots from the DVD/USB select Windows Repair
3. Open the Command Prompt and write the following commands inside:     enter: bootrec / fixmbr, bootrec / fixboot and bootrec / rebuildbcd
4. Your Windows OS should now be able to boot normally. You can proceed with the removal of the virus as usual.

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.