I wrote this article to help you remove Netflix Ransomware. This Netflix Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
Netflix ransomware is a virus from a ransomware family called Netix, or RANSOM_NETIX.A. The clandestine program is distributed by a malicious tool, posing as a generator for account credentials. The application is named Netflix Login Generator v1.1.exe. It is offered on unsolicited websites. The rogue tool will unpack Netflix ransomware when you try to use it. The window which is supposed to create login credentials is titled Form1. When you click the ‘Generate Login!’ button, the win-locker will be unleashed into your machine. Websites for piracy and unlicensed software are often to blame for spreading infections. You should only use confirmed utilities. Make sure you acquire them from their official website or a licensed software distributor.
Upon entering your computer, Netflix ransomware will begin the encryption right away. There is a chance to avert the infection. The nefarious program only infects two versions of the Windows OS, builds 7 and 10. The win-locker uses AES-256 cipher to render files inaccessible. It only targets 39 formats: .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .asp, .aspx, .ppt, .pptx, .html, .zip, .rar, .txt, .mdb, .pdf, .php, .odt, .ai, .sql, .avi, .mp4, .m4a, .mpeg, .mkv, .wmv, .flv, .flp, .itdb, .itl, .csv, .pu, .mp3, .wma, .xml, .epub, .gif, .jpg, .bmp, .png, .psd. Netflix ransomware appends the .se extension to the names of the encrypted objects. Their icons will disappear. They will be listed as unrecognized file types with a blank icon.
Netflix ransomware only encrypts objects, located in the user directories of the C:\ hard drive. This is still effective, since a lot of important data are stored there. After completing the encryption, Netflix ransomware drops a couple of files on the hard drive. The first of them is a custom wallpaper which will be set as your desktop background. The image introduces the sinister program and points to the other file. The Instructions.txt document is the ransom note. You can find it on the desktop. The file explains what has happened to your files and what the objective is. You are required to pay a certain sum in order to have them decrypted. There are instructions on how to complete the transaction and what to do afterwards.
The owners of Netflix ransomware have also created a special program which they claim is the only method for unlocking files. They have dubbed it SE Decrypter. The cyber criminals demand a $100 USD ransom. When they created Netflix ransomware, this sum was equivalent to about 0.18 BTC. Now it coverts to about 0.10 BTC. The ransom is listed in dollars rather than bitcoins, so it does not change with the fluctuations in the exchange rate. The hackers have chosen bitcoins as the means of payment for a reason. The platforms for trading this cryptocurrency protect the details of the parties involved. They do not provide any details which can be used to track them down.
After you pay the ransom, you should receive the decryption key. Netflix ransomware generates a unique key for every infected device. In order to obtain it, you have to enter your ID number in the payment website. Of course, the ID is also different for each instance. Keep in mind that the people behind Netflix ransomware are cyber criminals. There is no guarantee that they will have the rogue program restore your files after you pay. Even if they perform the decryption, they may not uninstall the win-locker from your device. The virus can be reactivated and launch a secondary attack in time. The hackers will try to make you believe that the only way to get your data back is by paying them. You should not succumb to their scare tactics.
It is best to take matters into your own hands. You can delete Netflix ransomware with the help of a professional anti-virus program. After you have eliminated the win-locker, you can attempt to restore the lost files. There are two options for the recovery. The first alternative is to use the system restore function. Keep in mind that this process will erase all data which was created after the selected time point. The OS sets dates at random. If you are uncertain whether you have saved important data after the last possible time point, you should try the other option. There are tools which recover files from their shadow volume copies. Note that this would only work if Netflix ransomware has not deleted them. At this point, there is no information on whether the win-locker deletes shadow volume copies.
Netflix Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Netflix 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 Netflix 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:
