I wrote this article to help you remove Kangaroo Ransomware. This Kangaroo Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
The Kangaroo ransomware is of the newest additions to the big ransomware family. The people behind it are the same ones who have developed the Fabiansomware, Esmeralda, and the Apocalypse ransomware pieces. However, the latest creation of this criminal gang has some improvements. For example, it does not only encrypt your data but it also locks you out of Windows. Due to the Kangaroo ransomware preventing the launching of Task Manager and terminating the Explorer process when started, you are denied access to Window until you pay the ransom or delete the infection altogether.
Also, this specific version uses a legal notice as a ransom note which is displayed to you before you log in to your PC. This way it guarantees that you will read the note before logging in. And yet, Kangaroo`s main goal remains the same and that is your bank account. And the fact that this is an extremely dangerous threat it still true. You have to act fast to remove it from your system. Otherwise, its presence may cost you some irreversible damage.
Another thing, which Kangaroo stands out with, has do to with its installment. Unlike most ransomware infections, which use infiltration tactics as Exploit Kits, cracks, spam emails, compromised pages, Trojans, etc., Kangaroo developers rely on manual installation. The crooks use Remote Desktop to manually hack into their victims` computers and execute the ransomware. Once they do that, a screen with the victims` unique IDs and encryption keys appear. The cybercriminals save this information and then the encryption process begins.
Like its relatives, Kangaroo encrypts all important files that you have stored on your PC. When it is done, your files are locked and you no longer have access to any of them. All of your pictures, videos, music, presentations, Word docs, etc. Now, their names have been modified with the “.crypted_file” extension and thus they are unrecognizable to your machine. You are now seeing just empty icons which are completely unusable. Of course, renaming them or moving them into another folder does nothing. They are still being kept hostage by this nasty infection.
After the locking process has finished, is it time for the classic ransom note reveal. This is one more thing which differentiates Kangaroo from other similar threats. It creates an individual ransom note for every single file it encrypted. This note is in the following format: “filename.Instructions_Data_Recovery.txt”. For instance, if a file is named “summer.jpg”, its individual ransom note will be named “summer.jpg.Instructions_Data_Recovery.txt”.
The final step of the whole process is the lock screen display. Kangaroo shows a lock screen with a fake message stating that there is a critical problem with your machine due to which your data was encrypted. The note also provides an email address which you are supposed to use to get in touch with the developers and receive data recovery instructions. It goes without saying that these developers will want nothing but money from you. Even though the exact sum is not known yet, as the ransomware is newly-developed/discovered, it will probably be a hefty one. Don’t contact these people no matter what you do. Even though Kangaroo stands out from most of its relatives, it is still just s scam. A scam to rip you off. Paying the crooks won`t end well for you. That is for sure. You have no guarantees that after paying, the hackers will actually help you recover your files.
One thing is guaranteed, though. The money you pay will go directly for more malware development. What does this make you? A sponsor to crooks. A supporter of their “business”. Is that what you want? Do you want to end up with no money, no files, and the thought that you have helped cybercriminal expand their business? Don’t be gullible. Paying is not an option. You have to look for another way to deal with your unpleasant situation.
Unfortunately, at this point, a free decryptor for files locked by Kangaroo hasn’t been created. However, we can help you permanently remove the ransomware from your system so the hackers no longer have access to you. Get rid of this parasite first and then think of how you can get your files back. If you have created backups or you have copies on external drives, after cleaning your PC, you can safely recover everything. If not, you will have to look for another option but deleting the pest is a MUST.
To remove Kangaroo Ransomware manually, please, follow our removal guide below. And a piece of advice for the future: always creates backups of your most important files. Also, get a reliable anti-malware tool, update it regularly and often perform scans on your PC to be sure it is infection-free.
Kangaroo Ransomware Uninstall
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Kangaroo 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 Kangaroo 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:
