I wrote this article to help you remove .chip file Extension. This .chip file Extension removal guide works for all Windows versions.
CHIP is yet another member of the ransomware family. As you know, the main purpose all ransomware pieces have been created for is money. Your money. And CHIP is no different. It is only interested in your bank account. Unlike other cyber threats which try stealing your credit card number, for example, ransomware doesn’t steal from you. It blackmails you for it by encrypting your files and keeping them hostage.
This is what CHIP does as well. It slithers in your system undetected and immediately starts working. It uses the RSA encryption algorithm to lock your pictures, videos, music, Word files, PDF files, documents, etc. It makes them all completely inaccessible to you. What is more is that the ransomware is said to be able to lock even virtual or cloud drives meaning if you have data on such platforms it is also at risk. Once the ransomware is done with the encryption process your machine cannot recognize any of your files anymore. They are now corrupted from the inside and have a new malicious “.chip” extension appended to them.
Seeing this extension means that your files have been turned into unusable empty icons. Moving them to another folder or renaming them won`t help you either. In a situation like it is quite easy to freak out. There might have been some extremely important data among the locked files. In this exact moment the crooks make their final move. The ransomware drops its ransom note – a text file named CHIP_FILES.TXT. This is a message from the developers explaining your situation and claiming that the only way of having your files back is by paying for the decryption tool. However, the hackers don’t tell you right away how much money you will have to pay. Instead, you are asked to provide your personal email address so they can get in touch with you for additional instructions.
Usually, the ransom sum crooks demand varies between $500 and $1000 AND it guarantees you nothing. Don’t forget that ransomware is just a scam to help cybercriminals make illegitimate profits. They only care about your money. They even apply scare tactic to make you think there is no other option but complying. Did you notice the “DO NOT USE ANY PUBLIC DECRYPTERS! YOU CAN DAMAGE YOUR FILES!” line in the note? Don’t believe anything the crooks say even for a second. They are only trying to scare you so you would be more willing to pay. But are they going to send you what you paid for? Doubtfull! You may end up with no money and forever locked data. And even if they do send you the tool and you decrypt your files, you still have the ransomware to worry about.
The decryptor doesn’t delete it and it can strike again anytime. The only way of being completely safe is to permanently remove the threat and the cybercriminals don’t offer that. Not to mention that, if you pay, they will use your money to create more malware and extort more people. Do you really want to help hackers expand? No? Then forget about paying. Instead, use our removal guide at the end of this article. It is free and will help you solve your problem.
However, there is one more thing to consider and it is how to protect yourself in the future. First, do you know how CHIP infected you? The ransomware is mainly distributed via spam emails which pose as legitimate ones, such as invoices, tax refund, delivery confirmation, flight booking, etc. Do not open such emails. Most of the times they deliver infections and should be deleted right away. If a message looks suspicious and it is from an unknown sender, get rid of it. If you are careless and don’t think twice before opening you, you are going to get infected. All cyber threats pray for your negligence. Don’t provide it. And second, for a better protection get a good anti-malware software AND create backups of your most important files.
.chip file Extension Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, .chip file Extension 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 .chip file Extension 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:
