Remove .GHOST Virus Ransomware (+File Recovery)

About .GHOST

.GHOST is categorized by our malware study group as the brand-new ransomware infection. Some anti-virus programs already detect it, nevertheless, there are specific applications that bypass it and thus allow its breach. Customers have pertained to calling it that, because of the expansion, it adds at the end of your data. Let’s specify. Ransomware tool invade your computer through slyness and also skill. After that, once they get in, they spread their corruption. They make use of file encryption algorithms to secure your data. Then, extort you for their launch. After .GHOST slips right into your system, it positions each one of your documents under lock-down. It connects its own expansion at the end, hence making it hard to reach. And also, no data can escape its reach. It targets documents, archives, images, songs, videos, all of it! Afterwards, you can longer open it. Moving the documents, or relabeling it, won’t aid. The only method to launch your data from the ransomware’s maintain, is compliance. The infection expects you to pay a ransom, if you want to free your data. It makes that clear, in the ransom money note it leaves after security. The note is generally a text data, left on your Desktop. You can additionally find it in every folder that contains locked data. It discusses your predicament, and offers you a way out. According to .GHOST, the only method to free your documents is with an unique decryption key. And also, to get it, you have to pay a ransom. The quantity differs, as well as it’s typically requested in Bitcoin. Yet various other cryptocurrencies are also an alternative. The infection guarantees, to send you the key you need, after you complete the transfer. And, that’s it. That’s all you obtain– a pledge. You have no warranties that conformity brings about something favorable. Do not rest on words of cyber offenders. These are unstable individuals with destructive schedules. Individuals, that will certainly double-cross you. Do NOT pay them a penny. Do not contact them Do NOT follow their demands. It may appear a tough phone call to make, but it’s the best one.

.GHOST virus
.GHOST Ransomware Virus

Just how did my system got damaged by .GHOST?

Your computers gets contaminated with the .GHOST virus due to your failure to be attentive. Some individuals do not take note of essential information while surfing the internet or installing different programs. And also, potentially this is the method you wound up with an infection. Here’s the thing. The infection makes use of the old but gold intrusive approaches to trick you. As well as, slide past you undetected. That includes concealing behind corrupted web links, sites, and gushes. It utilizes freeware as a method to hide itself. And, impersonates a fake system or program upgrade. Like, Adobe Flash Player or Java. However, most of the time, it uses spam emails. You obtain an e-mail that seems ahead from a popular firm. Like, Amazon or PayPal. And, the e-mail advises you to click a link, or download and install an attachment. If you do, you end up with a ransomware. Bear in mind that these types of threats take advantage of your negligence. They need you to rush, and also miss doing due persistance. That reduces their concealed infiltration. They depend on you to leave your fate to possibility. Do not! Don’t choose negligence over caution. One keeps infections out. The other invites them in.

.GHOST ransomware virus
.GHOST Virus

Why is .GHOST unsafe?

Do NOT act the way .GHOST advises you. Obeying its hazardous commands is dangerous and also will obviously make your pocketbook thinner. For this reason, do not pay them cash. Do not connect to the cyber abductors. If you do, you’ll regret it. It’s a futile effort to regain your data, as well as it won’t end well for you. Here’s why. There are a few situations that can unravel, when you see the ransom note on your screen. State, you decide to comply. You reach out to the extortionists, pay their ransom, and wait. You await them to send you the decryption secret they guaranteed. Well, what happens if they don’t? Besides, you have no guarantees. All, you rest on, is an assurance. Can you truly think the word of cyber abductors? The solution is ‘No.’ These are individuals, that will disappoint you. Don’t give them money! There’s likewise one more option. They can, actually, send you a decryption trick. However, when you try to apply it, it falls short to work. Yes, they can send you the wrong one. Then, you have much less loan, as well as your data remains secured. Do not pay! And, also your best-case scenario, isn’t a factor for joy. What takes place after you pay the ransom money, get the appropriate trick, and also free your data? Well? Think about it. You paid money to remove a symptom, however not the infection causing it. So, you eliminate the encryption, but the .GHOST ransomware stays. It’s still lurking in the corners of your system, totally free to strike once more. Then, you’re back at fresh start. There aren’t sufficient means to emphasize this adequate. Do NOT pay!

Is there any type of way for you to stop .GHOST strike?

So, your PC got struck by and also most likely you have actually lost time trying to eliminate it manually. We are absolutely positive that the solution below will most definitely be effective in deleting .GHOST in an automated means. But allow us first talk about avoidance of such ransomware assaults in future. Exists something that you can do to prevent this type of nasty danger from entering your PC in advance? There are few things we wish to review below. Initially one is your individual responsibility for being incredibly cautious while you use your computer and also mostly while you surf the internet. When inspecting your email and see some dubious accessories consisted of, do not hurry up to open them. In the same way, when you are on Facebook and also somebody in your contacts sends you messages consisting of accessories, be extremely mindful, particularly if these are some executable documents. The 2nd thing to think about is examining the dependability of your existing anti-virus program. Sadly, there are numerous protection applications nowadays that just claim to be reputable, whereas in times of real malware invasions they merely fail to do the job as promoted. In situation .GHOST passed through into your computer system this means that your present anti-virus did not perform its marketed feature as well as truly stopped working to shield your system. So, clearly, it is a reason for you to reevaluate your selections and certainly switch over to some other application that can definitely provide the preferred level of protection. We might likewise state some percent of customers who favor not to have any kind of anti-virus software program in all. Certainly, this is a severe error on their part, because presently the internet is full of cyber dangers that might covertly penetrate at risk systems, specifically those that are not provided with some standard degree of safety and security. So, having anti-malware completely running and shielding your COMPUTER is a must-do thing in today’s cyber globe.


.GHOST removal guide

STEP 1. Recover files from .GHOST ransomware encryption

There are a lot of different ransomware viruses on the internet. Some of them are more dangerous than the others because they not only leaving malicious processes to protect themselves, but also removing backups of your system to make the recovery process impossible.

Please Note: Not all ransomware infections are able to remove backups of your system, so it is always worth to try a windows recovery method below. In order to protect your backups from this danger, try our Anti-Ransomware product:

We recommend use Safe Mode with command prompt to safely perform a recovery of your files. You will have to reboot your computer, so you better save this instruction some where on your hard drive or read if from second computer.

  • Windows 7 users: You need to reboot your system and before its loaded constantly press “F8” button until you see boot options.

    .GHOST ransomware remove
  • Windows 8/10 users: Press the “Power” button from Windows login screen or Settings. Hold the Shift key on your keyboard and click on “Restart
    .GHOST ransomware remove
  • After your computer reboots – Click on “Troubleshoot” – press “Advanced options” – “Startup Settings
    .GHOST ransomware remove
  • Click the “Restart” button and your computer will reload again and show you the list with all options. You need to choose the “Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    .GHOST ransomware remove
  • When your windows loads, enter the following line: cd restore and press Enter.
    .GHOST ransomware remove
  • After that type rstrui.exe line and press Enter.
    .GHOST ransomware remove
  • A recovery window will open before you, Click Next to proceed.
    .GHOST ransomware remove
  • In the next window, you need to choose a Restore point. All files in protected drives will be recovered at the time when this point was created (prior to the infection with .GHOST). In the case when ransomware removes these backups, there will be no Restore points listed. Select a Restore point and click “Next”.
    .GHOST ransomware remove
  • Click “Finish” in this window and confirm the recovery process by pressing “Yes“.
    .GHOST ransomware remove

Simple example of how to recover your files from ransomware infection:

STEP 2. Removing .GHOST ransomware malicious files

Once the recovery process is complete, you should consider scanning your computer with a GridinSoft Anti-Malware in order to find any traces of .GHOST infection. Though some ransomware viruses are removing themselves right after the encryption of your files, some may leave malicious processes on your computer for special purposes of cyber criminals.

  1. Run GridinSoft Anti-Malware and choose the scan type, which is suitable for your needs. Of course, for the accuratest scan results we recommend you to choose the “Full Scan”.
  2. Choose "Full Scan"
    GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan Types
  3. Give Anti-Malware a little time to check your system:
  4. Please wait until the scan completed
    Anti-Malware Scan Process
  5. Move to quarantine all the viruses and unwanted files, that you see in the results list:
  6. Move detected items to quarantine
    GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan Results
  7. Enjoy the malware removal process:
  8. GridinSoft Anti-Malware Removal Process
    Removal process completed. Your system is clean!

Use of On-run protection may additionaly prevent different types of cyber attacks, our protect may flag the downloader of the ransomware as a malicious application preventing the download of .GHOST.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware .GHOST protection

STEP 3. Prevent the .GHOST ransomware infection with GridinSoft Anti-Ransomware

Despite that some ransomware can remove backups of your OS, our product GridinSoft Anti-Ransomware is able to protect them from the removing in the first place. When some kind of a malicious program or ransomware virus tries to delete your backups, out program intercepts this request and blocks the sending process.
Note: that the product is still in Beta testing phase, some bugs and glitches are possible.
Besides the protection tool, you should read and learn few simple rules. Follow them every time you work on your computer and your will decrease chances of your infection to a minimum:

  • Don’t open suspicious spam letters. No way! Be very careful with your downloads. Download and install software preferably from its official website.
  • Do backups of your important files regularly. Storing your really important files in few different places is a good decision.
  • Keep your system free from adware, hijackers and PUPs The infected computer will be more likely compromised with other malicious software, and ransomware is not an exception in this case.
  • Don’t panic and be reasonable. Don’t pay the ransom fee right after you got infected, it is always best to search on the internet for some answers. It is possible that someone have developed a decryption tool that might help you.

Polina Lisovskaya

I works as a marketing manager for years now and loves searching for interesting topics for you

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