I wrote this article to help you remove Kuntzware Ransomware. This Kuntzware Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
Kuntzware is one of the newest ransomware pieces out there and, as a classic member of this malicious family, it is dangerous. What it does is pretty standard. The pest enters your PC with the help of trickery and deceit and then proceeds with locking your files. First, the ransomware scans your hard drive disc and locates all target data. Then, once it finds it, it uses the AES-256 encryption algorithm to lock it. Needless to say, when the file-locking process is complete, your files become inaccessible to you. Kuntzware can encrypt more than 50 file formats but it looks like it encrypts the files you have generated first. We are talking pictures, documents, videos, presentations, archives, etc.
What is also interesting about this particular ransomware piece is that it is able to encrypt files, stored on clouds. They all fall victim to the infection and receive the “.kuntzware” extension. For instance, if you had a picture named “summer.jpg”, after the ransomware locks it, it becomes “summer.jpg.kuntzware”. Normally, after the encryption part, ransomware drops a note with payment instructions. However, at appears that Kuntzware is still a work in progress and it is not able to connect to its C&C server. This is why it does not drop a ransom note and doesn’t demand a payment. At least for now. We are pretty certain that the crooks behind it are currently working on fixing that which means that very soon Kuntzware will be able to carry the whole attack to the end.
As we said, Kuntzware also targets files which users have stored on online clouds. This makes data recovery even more difficult. The only way would be if you have copies of your files on an offline device. Also, don’t forget that the hackers can fix their problem any minute and then demand payment from you. If this happens, don’t pay, no matter what. Why? We have a list of reasons.
First of all, as you can see, the cybercriminals are experiencing issues with their own infection and they may not be able to decrypt your data. Second, paying guarantees you nothing as you may not receive what you paid for. Crooks are not famous for keeping their word. Third, they may send you a tool which doesn’t work at all or works only on a couple of your files. And forth, even if you get the fully-working tool and manage to free your data, Kuntzware remains intact on your PC ready to strike again. Was this convincing enough? Paying is not an option. Don’t do it. Instead, use our removal guide and manually get rid of Kuntzware.
How did Kuntzware enter? One of the most popular infiltration tactics uses to distribute ransomware is still spam. It doesn’t look like crooks are about to give up on it anytime soon mostly because it still works. Even though users have heard this a million times they still don’t listen. Let us say it one more time. Don’t open emails strangers EVEN IF they look helpful or legitimate. Hackers are creative. They disguise the messages as shipping invoices or job applications or any other document in that matter.
Be smart. Don’t blindly open everything that lands in your inbox. If you don’t personally know the sender, you better delete the email immediately. The same rule applies for messages you get on social media (Skype, Facebook, Viber, etc.). Be careful what you click on. Especially if you don’t know the person. But sometimes even your friends can accidentally send you a corrupted link or file if their machines have already been infected. That’s why if the message looks bizarre, ignore it. Better yet, delete it and warn your friends. Keeping your machine clean requires vigilance.
Kuntzware Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Kuntzware 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 Kuntzware 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:
