I wrote this article to help you remove Bed5 Ransomware. This Bed5 Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
Most of you must have heard of the notorious Cerber Ransomware. Cerber and all ransomware pieces are extremely dangerous as they keep your valuable files hostages and want money in exchange of the tool, which helps you recover them. Moreover, the huge ransomware family is considered the biggest and most harmful cyber threat which we may encounter these days.
Cerber was spread by its developers worldwide, locking victims` data and then blackmailing them. Over time, the crooks created a second and even a third version of the ransomware – Cerber2 and Cerber3. However, how a completely new version has been developed, called Bed5, based on the “.bed5” extension it appends. Once having infected you, Bet5 carefully scans your PC to find all the important data you store. This includes pictures, music, videos, MS office files, everything. Then it encrypts it using the AES encryption algorithm and it becomes unusable to you. This particular version appends the “.bed5” encryption instead of the standard “.cerber(2,3)” one.
Actually, Bed5 deletes the originals of your data and what you have left are the inaccessible copies. Their files format has been altered as well so your PC cannot read them. In fact, it cannot even recognize them anymore. When the encryption process has finished the ransomware displays you a ransom note, informing you your files have been locked and giving you detailed instructions on how to get them back (allegedly). The note comes in two different formats – “.txt” and “.html”. As you can suggest, the crooks behind this huge threat will want nothing but money from you. Money is their only purpose. They hope that seeing your valuable files locked (some of them may be work-related and very important), you would panic, give up and pay.
The crooks rely on the fact that these files are so valuable and irreplaceable that you simply cannot afford to lose them. And most of the times they are right. That’s why ransomware is such a successful moneymaker. You are, of course, promised a decryption tool If you pay the ransom demanded but given the fact that you are about to make a deal with cybercriminals you have absolutely no guarantee. You may pay and never get what you paid for. The crooks couldn’t care less about that fact you have lost valuable data. Getting their money is enough for them. This is their final goal.
You should not pay them no matter what. This equals supporting their “business” and the whole ransomware industry in general. Don’t let the sum influence you as well. Sometimes it can be quite small but more often than not, it`s very high. Usually, the ransom amount varies around 1 Bitcoin ($600). I don’t know about you but this doesn’t sound cheap to me. Don’t become a sponsor to these people, no matter if they want $600 of $6. They are still blackmailing innocent victims and if people continue paying the huge ransomware threat will always be hovering upon us. Luckily for you, our removal guide below will help you get back your files and you don’t have to pay a cent. Just follow the instruction in the exact order. Also, now knowing how hard is ransomware to tackle do whatever you can to protect yourself from another infection. Get a trustworthy anti-virus program and keep your PC infection-free.
You may also want to know how this greedy parasite got in your system. One of the most commonly used delivering methods are spam emails and their malicious attachments. Beware because sometimes emails like these land directly into your regular inbox. Any message you don’t know the sender to or looks risky must be deleted right away. Keep in mind that these emails don’t come with a big “RANSOMWARE” sign. They disguise themselves as invoices, updates, job offers/applications. Cybercriminals can be very creative, you know. Stay alert.
Other distribution tactics are freeware and shareware bundles. These packages may be dangerous as well as while getting them you are getting an infection too. Especially if you use unreliable sites to download them. You must check the entire bundle to see if you want everything in it to be on your PC. Last but definitely not least, don’t forget pop-up ads and commercials. With them, if they are malicious and most of the time they are, one click may equal to “I agree with this nasty ransomware infecting my PC and locking my files”. Be vigilant while online and keep your PC and valuable information safe.
Bed5 Ransomware Uninstall
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Bed5 Ransomware deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.
- Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
- Install ShadowExplorer
- Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
- Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
- Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
- Right-click on the encrypted file
- Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file
Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore
- Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
- Click “Next“
- Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
- Click “Next“
- Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
- Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.
Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since Bed5 Ransomware first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:
