I wrote this article to help you remove KKK Ransomware. This KKK Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
This article is about the KKK Ransomware infection. This pest is one of the newest additions to the ransomware family. Discovered earlier this month, KKK is related to the notorious HiddenTear project and has proven itself to be just as dangerous as any other ransomware piece. It sneaks into your machine and wreaks havoc. It finds and encrypts your files thus denying you access to them. What is interesting about KKK, though, is that it only locks the files that are on your Desktop. However, this is more than enough to cause you a headache. After all, the files you use the most are usually right there on your Desktop. And the virus locks them all.
Every picture, document, music file, etc. falls victim to the ransomware and you are no longer able to use them in any way. They receive the brand new “.kkk” file extension which makes the unreadable to your machine. Seeing this add-on means that your data is effectively locked and it is time for the pest to proceed with step number two. The blackmail. This is the main goal this type of infections was created. To help hackers earn effortless profits which come at the expense of innocent victims. Don’t become one of these victims.
After your files have been successfully encrypted, KKK drops a message for you. The so-called ransom note. According to it, if you want to retrieve your data you have to use a special decryptor. Of course, the tool is not free of charge. It is exactly what you should pay for. The hackers make it look like they are doing you a favor by offering a solution but they are not. They were the ones to encrypt your files in the first place. How can you trust them to help you get them back? You cannot.
Dealing with cybercriminals is not a good idea. There is a good chance for you to end up double-crossed with less money and still locked data. The hackers pay promised to give you the decryptor once you pay, but can you trust them? No. They only care about gaining profits. That’s why it is not uncommon to them to ignore victims once they have received the payment. What they want this time is 0.05 Bitcoins which equals to 131 USD.
Yes, the sum in not that big. But that’s not the point. You may pay and not receive what you paid for. Also, giving hackers even a cent of your money encourages them to continue blackmailing users. You are proving them that they scam works. Not to mention that, by paying, you are also exposing your personal and financial details to them. And all of this for a tool which you may or may not get. Be smart. Paying is not the right solution here. It is a lose-lose situation for you. Don’t do it. What you must do, however, is remove the KKK ransomware from your machine ASAP. By the way, while we are on this, even the right decryption tool doesn’t remove the infection. You need to do that yourself. Use our removal guide below and get rid of the ransomware for good. All you have to do is follow the steps in the exact order given.
Also, once you clean your machine, make sure it stays clean. Do you know how ransomware pests enter? They trick you into giving them your permission by using sneaky tactics. Like spam emails or messages in social media. Be extra cautious and keep an eye for the KKK`s executable – Facebook.exe. Don’t open emails from unknown senders, don’t follow links they send you and don’t download their attachments. More often than not, this leads to infections. Moreover, the ransomware can hide behind fake updates, shady pages, it can be bundled with another program. The tactics are many but they all have one thing in common. They need and rely on your carelessness. Don’t grant it. Your machine`s safety is up to you. Do your due diligence as preventing an intruder from entering is much easier that dealing with is later on. Remember that.
KKK Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, KKK 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 KKK 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:
