I wrote this article to help you remove iRansom. This iRansom removal guide works for all Windows versions.
You have been infected with the iRansom Ransomware? Well, we have good news for you! It this article, you will find useful information on what kind or virus you are dealing with and, most importantly, how to remove it permanently from your system. Also, we have come up with some pieces of advice on what can you do to try recovering your locked data and how to prevent a similar infection in the future. But first, take a few minutes to fully understand the type of operation ransomware threats use.
You have probably heard that ransomware is said to be one of the worst cyber infections nowadays. Moreover, in the last couple of years, it became widely spread and caused a lot of troubles to both individuals and companies. Another concerning fact is that, recently, cybercriminals started developing much more advanced and hard to detect ransomware variants. Also, they came up with a lot of different distribution tactics to help the ransomware infect you without you realizing it. This includes spam email attachments, freeware bundles, corrupted links/pages/ads, fake program updates. Sometimes, the crooks even use a Trojan horse to create a backdoor on the targeted PC which the ransomware could go through.
What does a Ransomware do?
For starters, ransomware pieces enter your system staying under the radar so you won`t notice them. Then, they proceed to do their most important task, which they also leave you oblivious to. Before we explain what task that is, let`s reveal the main purpose of ransomware. Like all cyber infections out there, ransomware authors have an agenda too. And it is to rip you off, to get your money. Well, no surprise there. However, they have a different way of accomplishing this goal. They don’t spy on you for information and they don’t steal your bank account info or credit card number. Instead, they use an approach which can make you voluntarily give them money.
Now, back to the ransomware`s most important task. It is of biggest importance as it is the one to make you giving the crooks what they want. It is called the encryption process. When the ransomware gets in your system it immediately starts the encryption process. What does it encrypt? Everything, all of your files. Pictures, videos, Word docs, music, etc. It locks them using s sophisticated encryption algorithm and after it is done, the files are no longer accessible to you. They are still on your machine but you cannot open them. They are just like empty icons. Do you see where we are going with this? The ransomware keeps your data hostage and, of course, blackmails you for money.
The amount of money demanded is called the ransom sum, hence the name “ransomware”. Only after the encryption process has finished, the ransomware shows itself to you. It does that by dropping a ransom note on your desktop. It is a message from the crooks explaining that all of your files have been locked. In the message, the cybercriminals usually claim that there is only one way of recovering your data – obtaining the decryption tool. Which, of course, you have to pay a lot of money for. The cybercriminals also include in the ransom note detailed instructions on how to make the payment. Normally, they require you use one specific online currency called Bitcoin, as it cannot be traced and they can stay hidden from the police. Also, as the crooks want you to panic, they may give you a deadline within you have to pay otherwise they double the ransom sum. Or even worse, they can threaten you that they will delete your files you if delay the payment. All of these are scare-tactic and most of the time they actually work.
The ransomware`s developers now how stressful it could be for you to lose valuable data so they hope that if they pressure you, you will give up. Do not! Don’t give them even a cent of your money. You have no guarantee that the developers will give you a properly working decryptor if they even give you any. This is an extremely risky deal you are about to make. You may end up double-crossed in the end. With no money and forever locked files. You have to look for other options as paying is not one. At least, not a smart one. You do realize that besides risking ending up empty-handed you are also sponsoring the ransomware industry, right? You should know that whether you receive a decryptor or not, your money will still be used to the development of more and more malware pieces. We highly doubt that you, as a victim, would want that. So, that’s why the better option is removing the ransomware from your machine so the crooks have no access to you and then looking for ways to retrieve your data.
Our detailed and easy-to-follow removal guide below will help you get rid of this parasite. Just follow the instructions in the exact order shown. As for the encrypted files, it would be best if you have created backups. This way, after you delete the ransomware, you can safely recover them. But if you don’t have backups, then we recommend searching for a decryptor online. A lot of decryptors were made available and most of them you can get for free. Their lists are frequently updated so there is a chance one of them could work in your case. But this is still a better option that paying the cybercriminals and hope for the best. Regain control over your system and save your money.
Preventive measures
Once you manage to deal with iRansom Ransomware make sure there won`t be a second time. Be extra careful online especially now when you know how these infections travel the Web (we explained that above). Also, backups. Did you see how important backups could turn out to be? Create backups to you most valuable files or to all of your files and keep them safe in such unpleasant situations. And last but not least, getting a good anti-malware software can only help you prevent such attacks in the future.
iRansom Uninstall
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, iRansom 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 iRansom 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:
