I wrote this article to help you remove Karma Ransomware. This Karma Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.

You have probably heard of the notorious Cerber ransomware and its dreaded reputation. If yes, you already know how destructible this pest it. Now you are stuck with the Karma ransomware which, unfortunately, shows a couple of features similar to Cerber`s. Having said this, you should have realized why it is extremely important that you remove the parasite as soon as possible. Being a member of the ransomware family, Karma pretty much does what all infections of this type do. However, it shows a little originality as well.

For example, Karma gets to its victims via bundled programs which is not commonly seen is ransomware pieces. Also, the pest pretends to be a useful, legitimate tool, named Windows-TuneUp, which will improve your online experience. This, of course, is nothing but a lie. Once the parasite enters your system, the problems start pouring. It starts scanning your machine claiming to be searching for errors and issues to fix. However, what Windows-TuneUp does, in reality, is looking for files to encrypt. That’s right. This virus was not meant to be helpful to you in any way. It was only created by crooks for one simple reason – your money.

So, the pest is scanning your machine in search of your precious files and it doesn’t take it long to find them all. Your pictures, music, videos, presentations, documents, Word files, work-related files, etc. They all fall victims to this greedy ransomware that locks them and keeps the hostage. Karma locks everything on your machine using an asymmetric encrypting algorithm and, once this happens, you are no longer able to access any of the locked data. Each of your files now has a brand new “.karma” extension added by the parasite which your machine cannot recognize. All of your files have been turned into empty icons – you see them but you cannot use them in any way. Renaming or moving them does nothing as well. Seeing the “.karma” extension means that the ransomware has finished with the encryption process and that it is time for its next move.

Once the file-locking part is over, Karma drops its ransom note – # DECRYPT MY FILES #. The note comes either in HTML or in TXT format. This is a message from the crooks which usually explains your unpleasant situation and provides detailed instructions on how to recover your data. It goes without saying that these instructions involve money. You are required to pay the crooks a particular amount of money in exchange for which they will send you a tool to decrypt your files (allegedly).

You do realize that only because crooks promise to give you the tool it doesn’t mean that they will actually do it. Don’t be naïve. There is no guarantee that the cybercriminals will deliver. Moreover, most of the time they don’t and the victim ends up double-crossed. Even if they do send you a decryptor and it works, it only goes as far as unlocking your data. It doesn’t remove the infection itself. It remains intact and ready to strike again. How many time are you willing to pay these extortionists? You shouldn’t even do it once. They will use your money for nothing but more malware creation and expanding. Is that what you want? To help hackers` business grow? We doubt it. Not to mention that if you do pay, you are not only sponsoring them and risking end up with nothing, but you are also putting your privacy on the line. Giving your personal details like that could cause you a ton of issues. Forget paying and do the right thing. Use our completely free removal guide below and remove Karma once and for all.

As we already mentioned, Karma travels the web via bundles instead of spam email messages with malicious attachments, which is the tactic most ransomware pieces use. And yet, the pest is on your machine which means you have downloaded bundles software at some point and you haven`t been careful while installing it. You had no idea that there was a ransomware lurking from the bundle because you probably rushed the installation. This is a horrible idea.

Always opt for the Advanced settings instead of the Basic ones. They take more time but also allow you to see every program in the bundle and deselect it if it looks suspicious. Double check what you are agreeing to and what you are giving green light to. Don’t skip the Terms and Conditions/EULA and don’t press “next” without knowing what it is for. Always be on the alert. What all infections need the most is your carelessness. Without it, they cannot get it no matter which method they are using. Remember that.

Karma Ransomware Removal

Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Karma 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.

1. Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
2. Install ShadowExplorer
3. Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
4. Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
5. Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
6. Right-click on the encrypted file
7. Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file

Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore

1. Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
2. Click “Next“
3. Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
4. Click “Next“
5. Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
6. 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 Karma 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:

1. Recuva
2. Puran File Recovery
3. Disk Drill
4. Glary Undelete