I wrote this article to help you remove Al-Namrood Ransomware. This Al-Namrood Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
Al-Namrood ransomware is a win-locker which quickly became a brooding threat since its inception. The virus uses AES cryptography to render files inaccessible. Security researchers have isolated two versions of Al-Namrood ransomware. They have the same technical specifications. The only notable difference between them is the suffix they append to the names of the targeted files. The first variant uses the .namrood file extension, while the second adds the .unavailable appendix to the names of the infected items. To get the message to the victim, Al-Namrood ransomware creates a separate ransom note for each encrypted file. They are named after their respective files, with the suffix .Read_Me.txt added. The win-locker tries to back users into a corner by stating the only way for have their personal files recovered is by paying. You should not make a deal with hackers. They are not trustworthy.
Al-Namrood ransomware encrypts a wide array of file formats. This encompasses Word, .txt and .pdf documents, images, archives, databases, audios, videos and system components. The furtive program exempts the files which the system requires in order to work properly. The list of vulnerable file types includes the following: .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .asp, .aspx, .txt, .pdf, .rar, .zip, .html, .wps, .bkp, .xml, .raw, .jpg, .jpeg, .bmp, .gif, .png, .tif, .tiff, .psd, .dll, .sys, .cer, .bat, .sql, .qic, .pak, .ai, .csv, .reg, .ini, .rtf, .iff, .mdb, .db, .pfx, .mp3, .wma, .wav, .mid, .ogg, .m3u, .m4a, .eps, .bin, .sct, .vb, .dng, .cdr, .pfx, .crw, .wsc, .avi, .wmv, .mpg, .mpeg, .mkv, .mov, .mp4, .asf, .sln, .arw, .exe, .ps1, .dat, .bdf, .srf, .lnk, .js and others. The win-locker uses the encryption algorithm to rearrange the code structure. The files will become unreadable. A decryption key is required to render their codes back to normal.
The developers of Al-Namrood ransomware demand a certain payment to provide the unique key. The ransom notes the win-locker creates are succinct. They do not provide the full information the victim needs to know. People are required the contact the cyber criminals in order to receive instructions on the payment procedure. The owners of the malignant program correspond with users via email. Their address is decryptioncompany@inbox.ru. The ransom note explains that the victim has a few days to send an email, but does not specify how many exactly. There should be an answer within 24 hours. If there is none, the user needs to send another message through a public mailing service. To say the note lacks clarity would be an understatement. A lot of details have not been addressed properly. Including the matter of whether or not the ID you are given needs to be stated in the email. The message itself is written in a poor style, with many grammatical errors. According to the email account, the developers behind Al-Namrood ransomware are from Russia. This explains their low linguistic level, as the notes are composed in English.
Al-Namrood ransomware belongs to the category of Trojan ransomware programs. The win-locker is distributed through Trojan horses which usually travel in spam emails. Malvertising campaigns have become quite skillful, as the people behind them constantly work to improve their craft. They develop new techniques on a regular basis and adapt to the changing climate by altering their strategies. At the end of the day, the spammers need to convince users that the message they have sent them is genuine. To make the letter look convincing, they often write on behalf of existing companies and entities, like the national post, courier firms, social networks, financial institutions, government branches and legal authorities. The Trojan is hidden behind an attachment, listed as an official document or statement on the matter. Opening the file is enough to infect your machine. You may not realize what is happening, as the process can be conducted through background tasks. To protect your system from Al-Namrood ransomware, you have to avoid spam emails. The best way to filter the fake messages from the legit is to proof the sender’s contacts. Check his name and email address. If he is writing on behalf of a given company or entity, the coordinates should match.
Al-Namrood Ransomware Uninstall
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Al-Namrood 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 Al-Namrood 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:
