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I know how frustrating it is to lose important files, no matter if your final project for university or yearly report for your boss got infected by hazardous malware, ransomware specifically. Years ago, I had to recreate my document from scratch. Luckily for you, there is a chance you’ll be able to recover your files.
In most cases, data decryption is a complicated procedure that can be executed by developers only. Hackers hold decryption keys that unlock your files. However, you will not get those keys without paying hackers. Even if you pay, there is no guarantee hackers will send you decryption keys; they might scam you again.
We prepared step-by-step solutions on how to get your data back. There is a possibility it will not work out because each malware is different and requires a team of developers to work on each malware and keep the decryption database up-to-date. If our suggested decryption tools do not give desired results, try to recover previous copies of your files.
Important! Before proceeding to data decryption or recovery, make sure you completely remove malware from your PC; otherwise, it may infect or encrypt more files or harm your PC in other ways.
1) Unlock Files with the Decryption Tool
Firstly you need to identify the name of ransomware (malware) your PC has been infected with:
Step 1. Upload the encrypted file to Ransomware identification tool (You need to upload your encrypted file, ransom note, and email you’ve been contacted from)
Step 2. Once you know the name of ransomware, search for decryption tools on NoMoreRansom, Kaspersky, or Emsisoft, then follow guides provided with tools
2) Recover Data with Recuva
Step 1. Download Recuva software
Step 2. Install software
Step 3. Perform a scan
Step 4. Select and recover your personal files
3) Recover Data with Ease Data Recovery
Step 1. Download Ease Data Recovery software
Step 2. Install software
Step 3. Perform a scan
Step 4. Select and recover your personal files
4) Recover Data with File History
If File History is ON, you should be able to recover your personal files easily. This feature is usually OFF by default, but it’s still worth checking if your personal files were backed up.
Step 1. Search Windows for File History
Step 2. Go to Restore personal files
Step 3. Search for the backup you want to restore and click on a green restore button
Tips to Avoid Loosing Your Personal Files in Future
Protect Your System with Proper Antivirus
Most of the popular antiviruses, especially their free versions, are too weak to fight modern malware. They can usually detect malware but are too weak to delete it completely. If the core files of malware are not deleted, in most cases, it can rebuild itself again.
We recommend getting advanced malware monitoring and removing software like Spy Hunter. Its paid version will protect your PC from 99% of modern malware because Spy Hunter has an up-to-date database of recent malware, and developers update it daily. Protecting your PC is much easier than eliminating malware when you get infected.
Set Up File History Backups for Important Files or Folder
If you have important files on your PC, don’t risk losing them. Set up File History Backups once you added those files or folders to your PC. You can schedule backups to an external drive or OneDrive daily or even hourly.
Minimize Chances of Malware Infection
To avoid getting infected by malware, follow these tips:
- Don’t download anything from Torrents or PirateBay
- Avoid porn websites
- Avoid other websites you don’t trust
- Don’t click on suspicious or clickbait ads
- Don’t open suspicious emails, especially from the spam folder
- Don’t accept push notifications from websites you don’t know
Update Your Windows Regularly
Microsoft tweaks its security system regularly, for example, improving Windows Defender Firewall, and making malware harder to infect Windows OS. Therefore, make sure there are no pending updates. You can check for available updates by pressing Windows + I keys > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates
Conclusion
Losing important files can be very stressful; however no need to panic. Now you know a few ways to decrypt your files or recover them using third-party software. But the most important advice we can give you is not to take the risk of losing your files.
You can set up a regular backup, protect your OS with modern antivirus and minimize the chances of getting infected by malware.
