I wrote this article to help you remove RSA Ransomware. This RSA Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
Do your files have the strange “.rsa” extension at the end of their names? You cannot open any of them, right? If the answer to these questions is yes, we are sorry to inform you that you have fallen victim to a nasty ransomware infection. The threat you are stuck with does by the name Samas and, as a ransomware member, it is very dangerous. It got in your system without your knowledge and locked all of your files. How, you have no access to any of the data Samas encrypted. And it goes without saying that there might be some incredibly important information among the locked files. Some work-related stuff, for example. This is what ransomware pieces do. They breach in, encrypt everything and then blackmail you for money in exchange for a decryption tool which unlocks your data (supposedly).
How an infection like this managed to slither in without you realizing, though? Well, it is simple. Most infections, ransomware included, need your permission upon their installment. But they don’t need your active cooperation, they just pray for your carelessness. As they cannot get it without your consent they have to ask for it. But they do that in the sneakiest way possible otherwise, you won’t give it. One of the most effective entering tactics involves spam emails. The ransomware is attached in a malicious email and send to your inbox. From then, you do the rest. If you open everything you receive without thinking twice about it, like most people do, you have downloaded the pest yourself with a single click.
So, the parasite doped you and left you oblivious to it. What is worse, however, is that, once in, the chances of spotting Samas are slim. However, there are some things which may help you realize that you PC is not infection free. For example, Samas uses a large amount of space while doing its work so it is possible that your machine`s speed will slow down to a crawl. But most users don’t pay attention to this and they find out about the pest only after is reveals itself to them.
But when does Samas informs you of its presence? After having encrypted all of your files, of course. It found and locked everything you have stored on your machine. Pictures, music, videos, documents, etc. it has already added its malicious “.rsa” extension to them and your PC is unable to recognize them anymore. Only when you are left with unusable empty icons does the ransomware shows itself to you. It drops its ransom note on your desktop. This is a message from the crooks explaining what happened to your data and giving you detailed instructions on how to recover it. Of course, these instructions include you giving the crooks a hefty ransom sum in exchange of a decryptor which unlocks your data. But how are you sure that, if you pay, the cybercriminals will send you the tool? That’s right. You cannot be sure. What is more likely to happen is, you pay them, they take your money but don’t give you anything in return.
This is how you end up double-crossed. Or, imagine this, although it is very doubtful the crooks to send you anything at all. You pay, they send you a fully working decryptor and you unlock all of your files. But the ransomware itself remains in your system. The decryptor only unlocks files, it doesn’t delete the threat. Do you seriously believe that the ransomware won`t strike again? Don’t be gullible. Paying is a lose-lose situation for you. Not to mention that if you comply you are giving these crooks access to your privacy and you are sponsoring their business at the same time. Do you want that? Do you want your privacy to end in cybercriminals` hands? Do you want your money to be used for more malware development? We highly doubt it. That why instead of risking everything and encouraging crooks by paying, use our removal guide. It is free, it is available, it is easy to follow, and, above all it is safe. You can find it below.
RSA Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, RSA 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 RSA 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:
