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(Solved) How To Remove .Cesar Virus Ransomware

In this article we have written about .Cesar Virus Ransomware – a virus that belongs to the malicious software family of Ransomware and has likely even become the reason for file encryption of some really important data on your PC. But what does this evil category of malware really represent? The kind of programs in the Ransomware group are not just simple viruses. This dangerous category is also one of the fastest expanding virus families in the cyber world. There are three main subgroups:

  • (MOBILE) SCREEN-LOCKING VIRUSES: they could target smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, tablets, and other portable devices, making you unable to unlock your screen and access anything on the infected device until you pay the needed ransom.
  • RANSOMWARE USED AGAINST CYBER CRIMINALS: some of the official  authorities might use Ransomware products to cope with dangerous online criminals. For example, the people who violate  copyright policies or laws could be stopped from doing it, and are going to to pay for whatever wrong they have done with the help of programs like these. Nevertheless, that’s the only case when software like this is used properly and for decent purposes.;
  • FILE-TARGETTING VERSIONS (also known as FILE-ENCRYPTING): that’s the most famous subtype of that malware. Its members are able to break into your system, and after that gather different details about the data you use most often. After the completion of that, these files are normally encrypted with a key that is really complex. After all of the files have been encoded, you will typically receive an awful notification to inform you how to pay the requested money.

Which subgroup of Ransomware does .Cesar Virus belong to?

It is a version of the data-targeting malware. The representatives of this subcategory usually conquer your system with or without the help of a Trojan, which is another version of malware. Generally, what actually happens is that the Trojan virus provides the passing of the Ransomware virus inside your PC. After both of these wicked programs have succeeded in entering your computer, they normally continue with their activities which are as follows – scanning of all your drives and encrypting the most frequently used data on them.

What may help in the fight against Ransomware?

Here is the bothering part of our article. Our purpose is not to discourage you in any way; on the other hand, we won’t delude you into thinking that it is easy or fast to remove an infection caused by Ransomware and for its effects to be reversed. Do not doubt that .Cesar Virus is positively the worst virus you may ever catch and its removal is not an easy task at all – it may require a lot of resources, attention to detail and special know-how. Consequently, we cannot just promise you will manage to successfully fight this virus, but we will share some methods and techniques you can use.

Our five recommendations:

  1. Don’t start fighting this Ransomware with any expectations. You should be ready to say goodbye to your data if it has no back-up. Maybe your system will need to be reinstalled to get rid of this virus.
  2. Check what kind of options you have, look for ways, read some articles on the Internet, ask people who are experts – understand what people have done to recover from malware like this.
  3. Consider the option of purchasing software, which has been designed to fight such threats, maybe it will solve your problem.
  4. Read our Removal Guide below. There are instructions which might be beneficial and result in the removal of .Cesar Virus and perhaps even the recovery of your files. On the other hand, once again, we cannot promise you anything.
  5. Finally – do not pay the ransom right after you have received the ransom-demanding alert. Do everything else which is possible.

The only solution that always works:

After your system has been infected, you do not have so many options and nothing can guarantee that your actions will be successful. Therefore, the moral of the entire story is the following:

  • Whatever happens, save important data by backing it up as often as you can.
  • Install and update the very best anti-virus tool you can find – such powerful programs may stop you from catching many other viruses.
  • Simply ignore the potential sources of Ransomware, which could be many and various, but the most regular ones are illegal freeware or torrents; pretending-to-be system requests; fake ads; diverse emails and all other shady letters; all kinds of email attachments.

.Cesar Virus Ransomware Removal

 Here is what you need to do in order to remove a Ransomware virus from you computer.

I – Reveal Hidden files and folders and utilize the task manager

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  1. Use the Folder Options in order to reveal the hidden files and folders on your PC. If you do not know how to do that, follow this link.
  2. Open the Start Menu and in the search field type Task Manager.
    Task Manager
  3. Open the first result and in the Processes tab, carefully look through the list of Processes.
  4. If you notice with the virus name or any other suspicious-looking or that seems to consume large amounts of memory, right-click on it and open its file location. Delete everything in there.

    [bannerMiddleSecond]

    ransomware-guide-2-pic-4

  • Make sure that the hidden files and folders on your PC are visible, else you might not be able to see everything.
  1. Go back to the Task Manager and end the shady process.

II – Boot to Safe Mode

  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do it, use this guide/linked/.

III – Identify the threat

  1. Go to the ID Ransomware website. Here is a direct link.
  2. Follow there in order to identify the specific virus you are dealing with.

IV – Decrypt your files

  1. Once you have identified the virus that has encrypted your files, you must acquire the respective tool to unlock your data.
  2. Open your browser and search for how to decrypt ransomware, look for the name of the one that has infected your system.
  3. With any luck, you’d be able to find a decryptor tool for your ransomware. If that doesn’t happen try Step V as a last ditch effort to save your files.

V – Use Recuva to restore files deleted by the virus

  1. Download the Recuva tool. This will help you restore your original files so that you won’t need to actually decrypt the locked ones.
  2. Once you’ve downloaded the program, open it and select Next.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-5
  3. Now choose the type of files you are seeking to restore and continue to the next page.
  4. When asked where your files were, before they got deleted, either use the option In a specific location and provide that location or choose the opt for the I am not sure alternative – this will make the program look everywhere on your PC.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-6
  5. Click on Next and for best results, enable the Deep Scan option (note that this might take some time).
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-7
  6. Wait for the search to finish and then select which of the listed files you want to restore.
  • Keep in mind it is possible that not all files might be fully recovered. You can check in what condition the files are from the State column in the list of deleted files.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-8
Posted on

How to remove Lucky Site 123 “Virus”

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Welcome to our Lucky Site 123 “Virus” removal guide. The following instructions will aid you in removing the unwanted software from your PC.

In this article we are going to explain to you the specifics of a particular browser hijacker called Lucky Site 123. This program is a source of browsing disturbance related to changes in the homepage or the default search engine of some popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox or IE, and a source of a significant amount of page redirects and ads. If you are experiencing a disturbance of this type, then the removal guide below will help you deal with that. It contains detailed instructions and screen shots that will show you exactly how to find and remove the Lucky Site 123 “Virus” and all of its annoying changes from your browser. So, take a look at it and let us know how we helped you.

What’s the purpose of Lucky Site 123?

Generally, Browser Hijackers are pieces of software, which are used by the online advertising industry to promote services, products and web pages. A browser hijacker like Lucky Site 123 has one main purpose – to get you redirected to as many sponsored web pages and advertisements as possible. For that, it may hijack your browser and replace your homepage or search engine with some promotional ones and get you redirected to different web locations, every time you type something in your browser. Usually, all this happens without the users’ approval and this is the main reason why browser hijackers are often classified as potentially unwanted programs and many people prefer to remove them.

The reason for the intrusive ads invasion lies in the basis of a method called Pay-Per-Click, which is a commonly used way for many online based businesses and software developers to earn money from the clicks on sponsored advertisements and pages. With the help of the browser hijacker, they try to display as many of these ads as possible, just with the hope to get more clicks, and respectively, more money. However, for the users, it is basically useless to keep such ad-generating software on their computer because there are hardly any benefits for them, unless they really enjoy being flooded with promotional messages and popping advertisements on their screen all the time.

Can Lucky Site 123 threaten your computer?

Something that is probably troubling you is whether Lucky Site 123 is a harmful program or not. Fortunately, we can calm your fears by saying that browser hijackers do not pose any security risk to your system, so there is no reason for you to worry. However, you may often come across instances of Lucky Site 123 being referred to as a virus, but this is mostly because of the amount of irritation and disturbance this program may cause to some users, who are not really familiar with the nature of browser hijackers. These programs cannot corrupt your system the way that a Trojan horse would do, nor will they attempt to replicate as viruses or encrypt your files like Ransomware. In fact, they do not contain malicious scripts and that’s why security experts classify them as relatively harmless programs.

How can a browser hijacker affect your machine?

Despite being harmless, browser hijackers may still cause a huge amount of disturbance and browsing related irritation to some users. The main reason for that are the unstoppable and intrusive ads, banners, pop-ups and page redirects that may take place every time you open your browser. They may eat up a significant amount of your system resources and affect the general speed of your computer or make your browser slow. Many people may decide to uninstall the annoying software just because of that, but there are a few more things which may add up to that decision. Lucky Site 123 may monitor your browsing activity and collect information about the webpages you visit, the things you search for on the web, your bookmarks, and browsing history. This data may be used by the hijacker owners to show you more customized ads, matching your searches or they may sell it to some third parties for profits.

How to protect your system from browser hijackers in the future?

There are a few useful things to know when it comes to browser hijacker prevention. First of all, pay attention when browsing online and especially when you download and install new software on your computer. Programs like Lucky Site 123 usually find their way to your machine through some other software installers where they are bundled in. Such bundles could be found mostly on freeware platforms, torrent sites, in spam emails, ads, download managers and online installers, and when you download and run them, they install all the programs bundled in the setup. That’s why it is important to always have full control over the setup and this could be done through the Advanced/Custom option during the installation itself. Avoid the standard/Quick installation, because it doesn’t give you much details and control over the software that is about to be installed, and if you are not careful enough, you may end up not only with a browser hijacker but even with a nasty virus or some Ransomware on your machine.

SUMMARY:

Name Lucky Site 123
Type Browser Hijacker
Danger Level Medium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk)
Symptoms  Unauthrosied changes may take place in your browser’s homepage or search engine, numerous ads, new tabs and page redirects may pop-up on your screen.
Distribution Method Mostly found in software bundles, freeware platforms, torrent sites, spam emails, ads, download managers and online installers.


Lucky Site 123 Removal

I – Uninstallation

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  1. Use the Winkey+R keyboard combination, write Control Panel in the search field and hit enter.
    adware-1
  2. Go to Uninstall a program under Programs.
    adware-2
  3. Seek the unwanted software, select it and then click on Uninstall
    1. If you are unable to spot Lucky Site 123, search for any unrecognized programs that you do not remember installing on your PC – the unwanted software might disguise itself by going under a different name.

II – Safe mode and revealing hidden files

  1. Boot your PC into Safe Mode /link/
  2. Reveal hidden files and folders /link/

III – Cleaning all your browsers

  1. Go to your browser’s icon, right-click on it and select Properties.
    adware-3
  2. Go to the Shortcut tab and in the Target make sure to delete anything written after “.exe”.
    adware-4
  3. Now, open your browser and follow the instructions below depending on whether you are using Chrome, Mozilla or IE.
  • Chrome users:
  1. Go to your browser’s main menu located in the top-right corner of the screen and select Settings.
    adware-5
  2. Scroll down, click on Show Advanced Settings and then select Clear browsing data. Just to be sure, tick everything and clear the data.
    adware-6
  3. Now, in the left pane, go to Extensions and look through all extensions that are integrated within your browser. If you notice any suspicious add-on, disable it and then remove it.
    adware-7
  • Firefox users:
  1. Similarly to Chrome, go to the main menu and select Add-ons and then Extensions.
  2. Remove any suspicious browser extensions that you may have even if they do not have the name Lucky Site 123 on them.
  • IE users:
  1. Go to Tools and select Manage add-ons.
    adware-8
  2. Click on all add-on types from the left pane and check if there is anything suspicious in the right panel. In case you find anything shade, make sure to remove it.

IV – Removing Shady processes

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  1. Go to your start menu, type Task Manager in the search field and from the results open View running processes with Task Manager.
    adware-9
  2. Thoroughly look through all processes. The name Lucky Site 123 might not be there, but if you notice any shady looking process that consumes high amounts of memory it might be ran by the unwanted program.
  3. If you spot the process ran by Lucky Site 123, right-click on it, open its file location and delete everything in there. Then go back to the Task Manager and end the process.
    adware-10

V – DNS check

  1. In the start menu search box write View Network Connections and open the first result.
    adware-11
  2. Right-click on the network connection you are using and go to Properties.
    adware-12
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
    adware-13
  4. If Obtain DNS server addresses automatically is not checked, check it.
    adware-14
  5. Go to Advanced and select the DNS If there is anything in the DNS server addresses field, remove it and click OK.
    adware-15
  6. Click OK on the rest of the opened windows.
Posted on

How to remove Lucky Site 123 “Virus”

[bannerTop]

Welcome to our Lucky Site 123 “Virus” removal guide. The following instructions will aid you in removing the unwanted software from your PC.

In this article we are going to explain to you the specifics of a particular browser hijacker called Lucky Site 123. This program is a source of browsing disturbance related to changes in the homepage or the default search engine of some popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox or IE, and a source of a significant amount of page redirects and ads. If you are experiencing a disturbance of this type, then the removal guide below will help you deal with that. It contains detailed instructions and screen shots that will show you exactly how to find and remove the Lucky Site 123 “Virus” and all of its annoying changes from your browser. So, take a look at it and let us know how we helped you.

What’s the purpose of Lucky Site 123?

Generally, Browser Hijackers are pieces of software, which are used by the online advertising industry to promote services, products and web pages. A browser hijacker like Lucky Site 123 has one main purpose – to get you redirected to as many sponsored web pages and advertisements as possible. For that, it may hijack your browser and replace your homepage or search engine with some promotional ones and get you redirected to different web locations, every time you type something in your browser. Usually, all this happens without the users’ approval and this is the main reason why browser hijackers are often classified as potentially unwanted programs and many people prefer to remove them.

The reason for the intrusive ads invasion lies in the basis of a method called Pay-Per-Click, which is a commonly used way for many online based businesses and software developers to earn money from the clicks on sponsored advertisements and pages. With the help of the browser hijacker, they try to display as many of these ads as possible, just with the hope to get more clicks, and respectively, more money. However, for the users, it is basically useless to keep such ad-generating software on their computer because there are hardly any benefits for them, unless they really enjoy being flooded with promotional messages and popping advertisements on their screen all the time.

Can Lucky Site 123 threaten your computer?

Something that is probably troubling you is whether Lucky Site 123 is a harmful program or not. Fortunately, we can calm your fears by saying that browser hijackers do not pose any security risk to your system, so there is no reason for you to worry. However, you may often come across instances of Lucky Site 123 being referred to as a virus, but this is mostly because of the amount of irritation and disturbance this program may cause to some users, who are not really familiar with the nature of browser hijackers. These programs cannot corrupt your system the way that a Trojan horse would do, nor will they attempt to replicate as viruses or encrypt your files like Ransomware. In fact, they do not contain malicious scripts and that’s why security experts classify them as relatively harmless programs.

How can a browser hijacker affect your machine?

Despite being harmless, browser hijackers may still cause a huge amount of disturbance and browsing related irritation to some users. The main reason for that are the unstoppable and intrusive ads, banners, pop-ups and page redirects that may take place every time you open your browser. They may eat up a significant amount of your system resources and affect the general speed of your computer or make your browser slow. Many people may decide to uninstall the annoying software just because of that, but there are a few more things which may add up to that decision. Lucky Site 123 may monitor your browsing activity and collect information about the webpages you visit, the things you search for on the web, your bookmarks, and browsing history. This data may be used by the hijacker owners to show you more customized ads, matching your searches or they may sell it to some third parties for profits.

How to protect your system from browser hijackers in the future?

There are a few useful things to know when it comes to browser hijacker prevention. First of all, pay attention when browsing online and especially when you download and install new software on your computer. Programs like Lucky Site 123 usually find their way to your machine through some other software installers where they are bundled in. Such bundles could be found mostly on freeware platforms, torrent sites, in spam emails, ads, download managers and online installers, and when you download and run them, they install all the programs bundled in the setup. That’s why it is important to always have full control over the setup and this could be done through the Advanced/Custom option during the installation itself. Avoid the standard/Quick installation, because it doesn’t give you much details and control over the software that is about to be installed, and if you are not careful enough, you may end up not only with a browser hijacker but even with a nasty virus or some Ransomware on your machine.

SUMMARY:

Name Lucky Site 123
Type Browser Hijacker
Danger Level Medium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk)
Symptoms  Unauthrosied changes may take place in your browser’s homepage or search engine, numerous ads, new tabs and page redirects may pop-up on your screen.
Distribution Method Mostly found in software bundles, freeware platforms, torrent sites, spam emails, ads, download managers and online installers.


Lucky Site 123 Removal

I – Uninstallation

[bannerMiddle]

  1. Use the Winkey+R keyboard combination, write Control Panel in the search field and hit enter.
    adware-1
  2. Go to Uninstall a program under Programs.
    adware-2
  3. Seek the unwanted software, select it and then click on Uninstall
    1. If you are unable to spot Lucky Site 123, search for any unrecognized programs that you do not remember installing on your PC – the unwanted software might disguise itself by going under a different name.

II – Safe mode and revealing hidden files

  1. Boot your PC into Safe Mode /link/
  2. Reveal hidden files and folders /link/

III – Cleaning all your browsers

  1. Go to your browser’s icon, right-click on it and select Properties.
    adware-3
  2. Go to the Shortcut tab and in the Target make sure to delete anything written after “.exe”.
    adware-4
  3. Now, open your browser and follow the instructions below depending on whether you are using Chrome, Mozilla or IE.
  • Chrome users:
  1. Go to your browser’s main menu located in the top-right corner of the screen and select Settings.
    adware-5
  2. Scroll down, click on Show Advanced Settings and then select Clear browsing data. Just to be sure, tick everything and clear the data.
    adware-6
  3. Now, in the left pane, go to Extensions and look through all extensions that are integrated within your browser. If you notice any suspicious add-on, disable it and then remove it.
    adware-7
  • Firefox users:
  1. Similarly to Chrome, go to the main menu and select Add-ons and then Extensions.
  2. Remove any suspicious browser extensions that you may have even if they do not have the name Lucky Site 123 on them.
  • IE users:
  1. Go to Tools and select Manage add-ons.
    adware-8
  2. Click on all add-on types from the left pane and check if there is anything suspicious in the right panel. In case you find anything shade, make sure to remove it.

IV – Removing Shady processes

[bannerMiddleSecond]

  1. Go to your start menu, type Task Manager in the search field and from the results open View running processes with Task Manager.
    adware-9
  2. Thoroughly look through all processes. The name Lucky Site 123 might not be there, but if you notice any shady looking process that consumes high amounts of memory it might be ran by the unwanted program.
  3. If you spot the process ran by Lucky Site 123, right-click on it, open its file location and delete everything in there. Then go back to the Task Manager and end the process.
    adware-10

V – DNS check

  1. In the start menu search box write View Network Connections and open the first result.
    adware-11
  2. Right-click on the network connection you are using and go to Properties.
    adware-12
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
    adware-13
  4. If Obtain DNS server addresses automatically is not checked, check it.
    adware-14
  5. Go to Advanced and select the DNS If there is anything in the DNS server addresses field, remove it and click OK.
    adware-15
  6. Click OK on the rest of the opened windows.
Posted on

.Osiris File Virus Removal (Includes how to recover files)

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The following guide was created to help Ransomware victims recover .Osiris encrypted files and help them remove the .Osiris File Virus itself (it remains in their system).

Welcome to our article about one of the most recent entries to the Ransomware virus family. The name of the new virus is .Osiris File Virus and in this article we will provide you with some very important information regarding this type of malicious programs and what you need to do in order to prevent Ransomware from getting inside your PC and encrypting your files. We also have a removal guide that you can refer to if the noxious .Osiris File Virus has already gotten inside your machine and locked your data. However, our advice for you, regardless of whether you have been attacked by the Ransomware or you are simply looking for more information, is to read all paragraphs. The tips and guidelines that we have provided can be the difference between having a safe and well-secured PC or one that has been infected by some nasty malware such as the one we are going to be talking about today.

.Osiris File Virus and encryption

Ransomware viruses are infamous for their abuse of the encryption technique that they use to render people’s files inaccessible. The method itself is not malicious and is widely used by many other legal programs as a way of protecting their files. The majority of security programs are unable to distinguish encryption coming from legit software and one that is executed by Ransomware. This makes it incredibly difficult to detect this particular type of viruses. Thus, they are able to remain hidden and unnoticed throughout the duration of the process. Once it’s over, the only way to access your files is to provide your PC with the decryption key. At this point, the Ransomware itself will display a notification on your screen, informing you that ransom must be paid if you want to obtain the key for your files. Instructions on how to carry out the transfer are provided within the Ransomware note.

Why it’s important to be vigilant

Most viruses rely on the lack of the user’s attention to detail, both when they infect the computer and during the time they are following their agenda. The same can be said with regards to Ransomware. The Ransomware might not get detected by your security tool, but it’s technically possible that you spot the infection yourself. The process of encryption takes time and free disk space and also requires considerable amounts of RAM and CPU. This is because your files do not get encrypted straight away. They first get copied by the virus. Those copies are the actual ones that are locked by the virus’ code. Though they are intact and absolutely the same as your initial files, you cannot access them without the key. After this first stage has been finished, your original documents are deleted. Obviously, this usually does not happen instantly, especially if you have a lot of personal data on your hard-drive. This gives you a window of opportunity to spot the virus. You just need to be vigilant and take notice of your PC’s behavior and the system resources that are being used. If a lot of RAM and CPU is being consumed, but you cannot see a visible cause for that or if they are being used by some suspicious process in your Task Manager, then it’s best if you immediately shut down your PC and have it examined by an IT specialist. Also, if you suspect a Ransomware infection, avoid connecting any external devices such as smartphones, flash memory sticks or external HDD’s since the files stored on them might too get encrypted by .Osiris File Virus.

Why paying the money is a bad idea?

If the ransom demand is not overly high, you might think to yourself that this might not be such a bad idea after all. However, know that there is absolutely no way of knowing if you are actually going to get the decryption key after you’ve transferred the money. On top of that, if you obey to the hacker’s demands, you will effectively encourage them to keep on attacking more and more computers with the virus, since it earns them money. We always advise our readers to look for another way. This is also why we have developed our removal guide. We cannot guarantee that it would help in every instance of a Ransomware infection, but it is surely worth the shot, so go ahead and give it a try.

PC security tips

The next list of tips and guidelines will help you provide your PC with enhanced protection against any potential Ransomware attacks, so make sure you remember and use the advice we are about to give you.

  • Do not visit websites that have a bad reputation and/or are illegal. Being cautious and responsible while surfing the internet is crucial when it comes to protecting your system from malware attacks.
  • Create a backup copy of all data files that you consider important, so that even if the original ones get attacked by .Osiris File Virus, you’d still have their accessible copies in a safe place.
  • Do not underestimate the importance of good anti-virus software. Some of them already have anti-ransomware features and they can help you fend off backdoor viruses that are often used to provide the Ransomware direct access to your PC.
  • Delete any suspicious e-mails without even opening them, since they might be carriers of .Osiris File Virus.

SUMMARY:

Name .Osiris File Virus
Type Ransomware
Danger Level High (Ransomware is by far the worst threat you can encounter)
Symptoms  Heavy CPU, RAM and free HDD space usage during the encryption period, often causing your PC to experience slow-downs.
Distribution Method Malicious messages/e-mails, illegal sites with sketchy/harmful contents, backdoor viruses.

.Osiris File Virus Removal

 Here is what you need to do in order to remove a Ransomware virus from you computer.

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I – Reveal Hidden files and folders and utilize the task manager

  1. Use the Folder Options in order to reveal the hidden files and folders on your PC. If you do not know how to do that, follow this link.
  2. Open the Start Menu and in the search field type Task Manager.
    Task Manager
  3. Open the first result and in the Processes tab, carefully look through the list of Processes.
  4. If you notice with the virus name or any other suspicious-looking or that seems to consume large amounts of memory, right-click on it and open its file location. Delete everything in there.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-4
  • Make sure that the hidden files and folders on your PC are visible, else you might not be able to see everything.
  1. Go back to the Task Manager and end the shady process.

II – Boot to Safe Mode

  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do it, use this guide/linked/.

III – Identify the threat

  1. Go to the ID Ransomware website. Here is a direct link.
  2. Follow there in order to identify the specific virus you are dealing with.

IV – Decrypt your files

  1. Once you have identified the virus that has encrypted your files, you must acquire the respective tool to unlock your data.
  2. Open your browser and search for how to decrypt ransomware, look for the name of the one that has infected your system.
  3. With any luck, you’d be able to find a decryptor tool for your ransomware. If that doesn’t happen try Step V as a last ditch effort to save your files.

V – Use Recuva to restore files deleted by the virus

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  1. Download the Recuva tool. This will help you restore your original files so that you won’t need to actually decrypt the locked ones.
  2. Once you’ve downloaded the program, open it and select Next.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-5
  3. Now choose the type of files you are seeking to restore and continue to the next page.
  4. When asked where your files were, before they got deleted, either use the option In a specific location and provide that location or choose the opt for the I am not sure alternative – this will make the program look everywhere on your PC.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-6
  5. Click on Next and for best results, enable the Deep Scan option (note that this might take some time).
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-7
  6. Wait for the search to finish and then select which of the listed files you want to restore.
  • Keep in mind it is possible that not all files might be fully recovered. You can check in what condition the files are from the State column in the list of deleted files.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-8
Posted on

.Osiris File Virus Removal (Includes how to recover files)

[bannerTop]

The following guide was created to help Ransomware victims recover .Osiris encrypted files and help them remove the .Osiris File Virus itself (it remains in their system).

Welcome to our article about one of the most recent entries to the Ransomware virus family. The name of the new virus is .Osiris File Virus and in this article we will provide you with some very important information regarding this type of malicious programs and what you need to do in order to prevent Ransomware from getting inside your PC and encrypting your files. We also have a removal guide that you can refer to if the noxious .Osiris File Virus has already gotten inside your machine and locked your data. However, our advice for you, regardless of whether you have been attacked by the Ransomware or you are simply looking for more information, is to read all paragraphs. The tips and guidelines that we have provided can be the difference between having a safe and well-secured PC or one that has been infected by some nasty malware such as the one we are going to be talking about today.

.Osiris File Virus and encryption

Ransomware viruses are infamous for their abuse of the encryption technique that they use to render people’s files inaccessible. The method itself is not malicious and is widely used by many other legal programs as a way of protecting their files. The majority of security programs are unable to distinguish encryption coming from legit software and one that is executed by Ransomware. This makes it incredibly difficult to detect this particular type of viruses. Thus, they are able to remain hidden and unnoticed throughout the duration of the process. Once it’s over, the only way to access your files is to provide your PC with the decryption key. At this point, the Ransomware itself will display a notification on your screen, informing you that ransom must be paid if you want to obtain the key for your files. Instructions on how to carry out the transfer are provided within the Ransomware note.

Why it’s important to be vigilant

Most viruses rely on the lack of the user’s attention to detail, both when they infect the computer and during the time they are following their agenda. The same can be said with regards to Ransomware. The Ransomware might not get detected by your security tool, but it’s technically possible that you spot the infection yourself. The process of encryption takes time and free disk space and also requires considerable amounts of RAM and CPU. This is because your files do not get encrypted straight away. They first get copied by the virus. Those copies are the actual ones that are locked by the virus’ code. Though they are intact and absolutely the same as your initial files, you cannot access them without the key. After this first stage has been finished, your original documents are deleted. Obviously, this usually does not happen instantly, especially if you have a lot of personal data on your hard-drive. This gives you a window of opportunity to spot the virus. You just need to be vigilant and take notice of your PC’s behavior and the system resources that are being used. If a lot of RAM and CPU is being consumed, but you cannot see a visible cause for that or if they are being used by some suspicious process in your Task Manager, then it’s best if you immediately shut down your PC and have it examined by an IT specialist. Also, if you suspect a Ransomware infection, avoid connecting any external devices such as smartphones, flash memory sticks or external HDD’s since the files stored on them might too get encrypted by .Osiris File Virus.

Why paying the money is a bad idea?

If the ransom demand is not overly high, you might think to yourself that this might not be such a bad idea after all. However, know that there is absolutely no way of knowing if you are actually going to get the decryption key after you’ve transferred the money. On top of that, if you obey to the hacker’s demands, you will effectively encourage them to keep on attacking more and more computers with the virus, since it earns them money. We always advise our readers to look for another way. This is also why we have developed our removal guide. We cannot guarantee that it would help in every instance of a Ransomware infection, but it is surely worth the shot, so go ahead and give it a try.

PC security tips

The next list of tips and guidelines will help you provide your PC with enhanced protection against any potential Ransomware attacks, so make sure you remember and use the advice we are about to give you.

  • Do not visit websites that have a bad reputation and/or are illegal. Being cautious and responsible while surfing the internet is crucial when it comes to protecting your system from malware attacks.
  • Create a backup copy of all data files that you consider important, so that even if the original ones get attacked by .Osiris File Virus, you’d still have their accessible copies in a safe place.
  • Do not underestimate the importance of good anti-virus software. Some of them already have anti-ransomware features and they can help you fend off backdoor viruses that are often used to provide the Ransomware direct access to your PC.
  • Delete any suspicious e-mails without even opening them, since they might be carriers of .Osiris File Virus.

SUMMARY:

Name .Osiris File Virus
Type Ransomware
Danger Level High (Ransomware is by far the worst threat you can encounter)
Symptoms  Heavy CPU, RAM and free HDD space usage during the encryption period, often causing your PC to experience slow-downs.
Distribution Method Malicious messages/e-mails, illegal sites with sketchy/harmful contents, backdoor viruses.

.Osiris File Virus Removal

 Here is what you need to do in order to remove a Ransomware virus from you computer.

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I – Reveal Hidden files and folders and utilize the task manager

  1. Use the Folder Options in order to reveal the hidden files and folders on your PC. If you do not know how to do that, follow this link.
  2. Open the Start Menu and in the search field type Task Manager.
    Task Manager
  3. Open the first result and in the Processes tab, carefully look through the list of Processes.
  4. If you notice with the virus name or any other suspicious-looking or that seems to consume large amounts of memory, right-click on it and open its file location. Delete everything in there.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-4
  • Make sure that the hidden files and folders on your PC are visible, else you might not be able to see everything.
  1. Go back to the Task Manager and end the shady process.

II – Boot to Safe Mode

  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do it, use this guide/linked/.

III – Identify the threat

  1. Go to the ID Ransomware website. Here is a direct link.
  2. Follow there in order to identify the specific virus you are dealing with.

IV – Decrypt your files

  1. Once you have identified the virus that has encrypted your files, you must acquire the respective tool to unlock your data.
  2. Open your browser and search for how to decrypt ransomware, look for the name of the one that has infected your system.
  3. With any luck, you’d be able to find a decryptor tool for your ransomware. If that doesn’t happen try Step V as a last ditch effort to save your files.

V – Use Recuva to restore files deleted by the virus

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  1. Download the Recuva tool. This will help you restore your original files so that you won’t need to actually decrypt the locked ones.
  2. Once you’ve downloaded the program, open it and select Next.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-5
  3. Now choose the type of files you are seeking to restore and continue to the next page.
  4. When asked where your files were, before they got deleted, either use the option In a specific location and provide that location or choose the opt for the I am not sure alternative – this will make the program look everywhere on your PC.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-6
  5. Click on Next and for best results, enable the Deep Scan option (note that this might take some time).
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-7
  6. Wait for the search to finish and then select which of the listed files you want to restore.
  • Keep in mind it is possible that not all files might be fully recovered. You can check in what condition the files are from the State column in the list of deleted files.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-8
Posted on

.Wallet Virus File Ransomware Removal (with File Recovery instructions)

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This page was created with the intention of helping you remove the .Wallet Virus and decrypt any .wallet files on your computer.

.Wallet File Virus is one of the newest threats to be released on computer users. Belonging to the infamous ransomware family, this virus is ranks high on the danger scale and is a threat to both enterprises and private persons alike. If you’re on this page because you have recently switched your computer on to find a ransom note on the screen, left by this malicious piece of programming, we have provided all the necessary resources to successfully remove this malware from your PC. Below this article you will find a removal guide that will walk you through the steps that you need to take in order to locate and delete any and all files related to the virus. In the event that some of the files .Wallet File Virus had encrypted are very valuable to you and are really worth trying to recover, within the same guide we’ve also provided steps that will attempt to restore the affected data. Bear with us, as it’s no coincidence that ransomware is the most feared cyber threat out there. Due to its constant evolving, cyber security experts out there work day and night to try and keep up with the all the new viruses that keep getting released. Alas, coming up with a decryption method for each new ransomware encryption take time and resources and there might not be one available for you just yet. Please be patient, read through the following few paragraphs and follow the guide to help make the best of this situation.

How ransomware operates and how it travels

Viruses like .Wallet File Virus are incredibly sneaky and are in fact notorious for their stealth – another reason why it’s so dangerous. The malware is usually downloaded onto the victim’s machine without any indication whatsoever and it gets straight to encrypting your most used files, which process, too, also runs without any visible signs. On rather rare occasions it might be possible to spot an infection if you notice that your machine is running noticeably slower than usual for no particular reason. This can happen especially if the amount of data stored on your computer is very large. In this case you should quickly check your Task Manager and sort the processes in it by CPU/RAM used. This will show you the probable virus at the top of the list, should one be present, and then you can quickly switch your machine off in order to prevent the virus from doing any further damage. Do not try to turn the PC back on, unless you are with a specialist as this will likely result in .Wallet File Virus completing its task.

But, as it is in most cases, no such detection is possible and the cybercriminals are able to finish their dirty business. The targeted files are usually documents, photos, music and videos and their extensions are usually changed to something unique to the separate malware, so that they cannot be opened by any existing program. The ransom that is later requested is actually for the private piece of the two-part decryption key, necessary to remedy the decryption. However, as it often is with matters of programming, the decryption key that users sometimes pay outrageous sums for may be faulty. In other words, it might not work and the decryption process could either be incomplete or fail altogether. This would end up in the victim having thrown their money out the window with no effect at all. We generally do not advise users to pay ransom to anyone for this very reason, not to mention that trusting criminals to send you anything at all is particularly wise.

As for preventing ever getting entangled with .Wallet File Virus or other ransomware again, it’s important that you know its main distribution methods. One of them would be malvertisements. They look no different from the regular ads you see online, therefore avoid clicking on any of them – you could end up immediately running the malicious script or be redirected to a page, from which the virus will be downloaded. Another commonly used means are spam emails that usually come with a Trojan horse embedded in the attached document. When a user is tricked into opening the infected attachment, the Trojan then downloads the ransomware. With that in mind, pay close attention to all new messages in your inbox and don’t opening anything you don’t trust. Additionally, it would be a good idea to keep a backup of all your important files stored on an external drive or cloud, should another infection ever occur.

SUMMARY:

Name .Wallet
Type Ransomware
Danger Level High (Ransomware are by far the worse threat you can encounter)
Symptoms  There are usually no detectable symptoms of ransomware until the ransom note is displayed.
Distribution Method Mainly through malvertisments, especially found on malicious and shady websites. 

.Wallet File Virus Removal

[bannerMiddle]

 Here is what you need to do in order to remove a Ransomware virus from you computer.

I – Reveal Hidden files and folders and utilize the task manager

  1. Use the Folder Options in order to reveal the hidden files and folders on your PC. If you do not know how to do that, follow this link.
  2. Open the Start Menu and in the search field type Task Manager.
    Task Manager
  3. Open the first result and in the Processes tab, carefully look through the list of Processes.
  4. If you notice with the virus name or any other suspicious-looking or that seems to consume large amounts of memory, right-click on it and open its file location. Delete everything in there.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-4
  • Make sure that the hidden files and folders on your PC are visible, else you might not be able to see everything.
  1. Go back to the Task Manager and end the shady process.

II – Boot to Safe Mode

  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do it, use this guide/linked/.

III – Identify the threat

  1. Go to the ID Ransomware website. Here is a direct link.
  2. Follow there in order to identify the specific virus you are dealing with.

IV – Decrypt your files

  1. Once you have identified the virus that has encrypted your files, you must acquire the respective tool to unlock your data.
  2. Open your browser and search for how to decrypt ransomware, look for the name of the one that has infected your system.
  3. With any luck, you’d be able to find a decryptor tool for your ransomware. If that doesn’t happen try Step V as a last ditch effort to save your files.

V – Use Recuva to restore files deleted by the virus

[bannerMiddleSecond]

  1. Download the Recuva tool. This will help you restore your original files so that you won’t need to actually decrypt the locked ones.
  2. Once you’ve downloaded the program, open it and select Next.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-5
  3. Now choose the type of files you are seeking to restore and continue to the next page.
  4. When asked where your files were, before they got deleted, either use the option In a specific location and provide that location or choose the opt for the I am not sure alternative – this will make the program look everywhere on your PC.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-6
  5. Click on Next and for best results, enable the Deep Scan option (note that this might take some time).
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-7
  6. Wait for the search to finish and then select which of the listed files you want to restore.
  • Keep in mind it is possible that not all files might be fully recovered. You can check in what condition the files are from the State column in the list of deleted files.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-8
Posted on

.Wallet Virus File Ransomware Removal (with File Recovery instructions)

[bannerTop]

This page was created with the intention of helping you remove the .Wallet Virus and decrypt any .wallet files on your computer.

.Wallet File Virus is one of the newest threats to be released on computer users. Belonging to the infamous ransomware family, this virus is ranks high on the danger scale and is a threat to both enterprises and private persons alike. If you’re on this page because you have recently switched your computer on to find a ransom note on the screen, left by this malicious piece of programming, we have provided all the necessary resources to successfully remove this malware from your PC. Below this article you will find a removal guide that will walk you through the steps that you need to take in order to locate and delete any and all files related to the virus. In the event that some of the files .Wallet File Virus had encrypted are very valuable to you and are really worth trying to recover, within the same guide we’ve also provided steps that will attempt to restore the affected data. Bear with us, as it’s no coincidence that ransomware is the most feared cyber threat out there. Due to its constant evolving, cyber security experts out there work day and night to try and keep up with the all the new viruses that keep getting released. Alas, coming up with a decryption method for each new ransomware encryption take time and resources and there might not be one available for you just yet. Please be patient, read through the following few paragraphs and follow the guide to help make the best of this situation.

How ransomware operates and how it travels

Viruses like .Wallet File Virus are incredibly sneaky and are in fact notorious for their stealth – another reason why it’s so dangerous. The malware is usually downloaded onto the victim’s machine without any indication whatsoever and it gets straight to encrypting your most used files, which process, too, also runs without any visible signs. On rather rare occasions it might be possible to spot an infection if you notice that your machine is running noticeably slower than usual for no particular reason. This can happen especially if the amount of data stored on your computer is very large. In this case you should quickly check your Task Manager and sort the processes in it by CPU/RAM used. This will show you the probable virus at the top of the list, should one be present, and then you can quickly switch your machine off in order to prevent the virus from doing any further damage. Do not try to turn the PC back on, unless you are with a specialist as this will likely result in .Wallet File Virus completing its task.

But, as it is in most cases, no such detection is possible and the cybercriminals are able to finish their dirty business. The targeted files are usually documents, photos, music and videos and their extensions are usually changed to something unique to the separate malware, so that they cannot be opened by any existing program. The ransom that is later requested is actually for the private piece of the two-part decryption key, necessary to remedy the decryption. However, as it often is with matters of programming, the decryption key that users sometimes pay outrageous sums for may be faulty. In other words, it might not work and the decryption process could either be incomplete or fail altogether. This would end up in the victim having thrown their money out the window with no effect at all. We generally do not advise users to pay ransom to anyone for this very reason, not to mention that trusting criminals to send you anything at all is particularly wise.

As for preventing ever getting entangled with .Wallet File Virus or other ransomware again, it’s important that you know its main distribution methods. One of them would be malvertisements. They look no different from the regular ads you see online, therefore avoid clicking on any of them – you could end up immediately running the malicious script or be redirected to a page, from which the virus will be downloaded. Another commonly used means are spam emails that usually come with a Trojan horse embedded in the attached document. When a user is tricked into opening the infected attachment, the Trojan then downloads the ransomware. With that in mind, pay close attention to all new messages in your inbox and don’t opening anything you don’t trust. Additionally, it would be a good idea to keep a backup of all your important files stored on an external drive or cloud, should another infection ever occur.

SUMMARY:

Name .Wallet
Type Ransomware
Danger Level High (Ransomware are by far the worse threat you can encounter)
Symptoms  There are usually no detectable symptoms of ransomware until the ransom note is displayed.
Distribution Method Mainly through malvertisments, especially found on malicious and shady websites. 

.Wallet File Virus Removal

[bannerMiddle]

 Here is what you need to do in order to remove a Ransomware virus from you computer.

I – Reveal Hidden files and folders and utilize the task manager

  1. Use the Folder Options in order to reveal the hidden files and folders on your PC. If you do not know how to do that, follow this link.
  2. Open the Start Menu and in the search field type Task Manager.
    Task Manager
  3. Open the first result and in the Processes tab, carefully look through the list of Processes.
  4. If you notice with the virus name or any other suspicious-looking or that seems to consume large amounts of memory, right-click on it and open its file location. Delete everything in there.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-4
  • Make sure that the hidden files and folders on your PC are visible, else you might not be able to see everything.
  1. Go back to the Task Manager and end the shady process.

II – Boot to Safe Mode

  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do it, use this guide/linked/.

III – Identify the threat

  1. Go to the ID Ransomware website. Here is a direct link.
  2. Follow there in order to identify the specific virus you are dealing with.

IV – Decrypt your files

  1. Once you have identified the virus that has encrypted your files, you must acquire the respective tool to unlock your data.
  2. Open your browser and search for how to decrypt ransomware, look for the name of the one that has infected your system.
  3. With any luck, you’d be able to find a decryptor tool for your ransomware. If that doesn’t happen try Step V as a last ditch effort to save your files.

V – Use Recuva to restore files deleted by the virus

[bannerMiddleSecond]

  1. Download the Recuva tool. This will help you restore your original files so that you won’t need to actually decrypt the locked ones.
  2. Once you’ve downloaded the program, open it and select Next.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-5
  3. Now choose the type of files you are seeking to restore and continue to the next page.
  4. When asked where your files were, before they got deleted, either use the option In a specific location and provide that location or choose the opt for the I am not sure alternative – this will make the program look everywhere on your PC.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-6
  5. Click on Next and for best results, enable the Deep Scan option (note that this might take some time).
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-7
  6. Wait for the search to finish and then select which of the listed files you want to restore.
  • Keep in mind it is possible that not all files might be fully recovered. You can check in what condition the files are from the State column in the list of deleted files.
    ransomware-guide-2-pic-8
Posted on

Zeus “Virus” Scam Removal

These Zeus “Virus” Scam removal instructions work for Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer, as well as every version of Microsoft Windows.

Zeus “Virus” Scam – as annoying as it gets

What is the most commonly used program on your computer? Is it the multimedia player? Or is it some kind of writing program? Maybe you often play PC games and those are the programs you use most often. Well, maybe, but probably not. No matter what you use your PC for, we are pretty sure that the piece of software that you utilize the most is your browser. That is why, it can be extremely frustrating if you one day find out that it has been invaded and taken over by some nasty and annoying program that prevents you from using your browser properly. This sort of programs is known by the general name of Browser Hijacker. It does not matter whether you are using Chrome, Firefox or IE, if you’ve landed one such program – be prepared for page redirects, popup and other ads, changes to your homepage and default search engine and many other undesirable effects.

What is Zeus “Virus” Scam?

In this article, we will be focusing on one particular Browser Hijacker known as Zeus “Virus”. Still, know that in most cases these programs are very similar, so even if you are dealing with some other program of this type, chances are everything we say about Zeus “Virus” will apply to that other program as well. Also, just below this article, you can find a manual written specifically to help you remove software of this type. Therefore, if you are one of the many unlucky users who have already had their browser taken over by Zeus “Virus” Scam, do not hesitate to use this guide in order to remove the invasive piece of software. Know that sometimes Browser Hijackers might even be promoted as having certain useful functions, so as to trick the user into letting them stay on their machine. However, we believe that there’s hardly a function beneficial enough that a Browser Hijacker might offer you for you to let it stay on your PC. Do not rush straight for the removal guide, though. The article itself contains crucial information that you need to be acquainted with in order to avoid getting in any more Browser Hijacker-related trouble. If you are sure that you are a victim of the real Zeus Virus, then follow the instructions in this link instead.

Are these hijackers viruses?

There are various opinions when it comes to whether programs such as Zeus “Virus” Scam are actually harmful. Some might have you believe that a Browser Hijackers is almost as harmful as Ransomware. However, we’ve dealt with both and we can assure you that there’s a huge difference between the two. While actual malicious viruses like Ransomware or Trojans can cause very serious PC-related problems, there’s very little harm that a Browser Hijacker can do. Sure, it can make it difficult for you to use your browser and frustrate you that way, but your machine and online security are still relatively safe and, as long as you handle the situation carefully, it will likely remain that way. Still, there are several things that we need to note regarding these nagging Hijackers. Though they might not harm your machine directly, they could still expose it to other, more threatening hazards. Sometimes, Browser Hijackers might display ads, some of which could redirect your browser to potentially harmful and illegal websites. Also, it is possible that Zeus “Virus” Scam might attempt to keep an eye on your browser activities. On top of that, it may be impossible to deactivate the Hijacker without removing every last bit of it from your PC (which might not be as easy as uninstalling a regular piece of software. With all that being said, it should be clear that despite its relative harmlessness, a Browser Hijacker should be removed from your machine as quickly as possible.

How do Browser Hijackers find their way to your PC?

There’s only one very important thing left that we need to cover – how these programs get to people’s computers. Well, the methods are several. You can land a Hijacker by opening a spam e-mail infected by it or by clicking on some obscure hyperlink that could directly download the unwanted software on your machine. However, the technique that seems to have the highest success rate is file bundling. This is because most users don’t bother to check what extra pieces of software have been added to a certain program they install. This is, in fact, how the Hijacker gets in. Still, since this is a legal method for software distribution, the way to deal with it is simple and easy. All you have to do is utilize the advanced setup settings when installing new programs (especially if they are some sort of freeware). Once you open the custom installation menu, you will be able to see and leave out of the installation any shady and/or suspicious content that might have been added.

Zeus “Virus” Scam Removal

I – Uninstallation

  1. Use the Winkey+R keyboard combination, write Control Panel in the search field and hit enter.
    adware-1
  2. Go to Uninstall a program under Programs.
    adware-2
  3. Seek the unwanted software, select it and then click on Uninstall
    1. If you are unable to spot Zeus, search for any unrecognized programs that you do not remember installing on your PC – the unwanted software might disguise itself by going under a different name.

II – Safe mode and revealing hidden files

  1. Boot your PC into Safe Mode /link/
  2. Reveal hidden files and folders /link/

III – Cleaning all your browsers

  1. Go to your browser’s icon, right-click on it and select Properties.
    adware-3
  2. Go to the Shortcut tab and in the Target make sure to delete anything written after “.exe”.
    adware-4
  3. Now, open your browser and follow the instructions below depending on whether you are using Chrome, Mozilla or IE.
  • Chrome users:
  1. Go to your browser’s main menu located in the top-right corner of the screen and select Settings.adware-5
  2. Scroll down, click on Show Advanced Settings and then select Clear browsing data. Just to be sure, tick everything and clear the data.adware-6
  3. Now, in the left pane, go to Extensions and look through all extensions that are integrated within your browser. If you notice any suspicious add-on, disable it and then remove it.
    adware-7
  • Firefox users:
  1. Similarly to Chrome, go to the main menu and select Add-ons and then Extensions.
  2. Remove any suspicious browser extensions that you may have even if they do not have the name Zeus on them.
  • IE users:
  1. Go to Tools and select Manage add-ons.
    adware-8
  2. Click on all add-on types from the left pane and check if there is anything suspicious in the right panel. In case you find anything shade, make sure to remove it.

IV – Removing Shady processes

  1. Go to your start menu, type Task Manager in the search field and from the results open View running processes with Task Manager.adware-9
  2. Thoroughly look through all processes. The name Zeus might not be there, but if you notice any shady looking process that consumes high amounts of memory it might be ran by the unwanted program.
  3. If you spot the process ran by Zeus, right-click on it, open its file location and delete everything in there. Then go back to the Task Manager and end the process.adware-10

V – DNS check

  1. In the start menu search box write View Network Connections and open the first result.
    adware-11
  2. Right-click on the network connection you are using and go to Properties.
    adware-12
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
    adware-13
  4. If Obtain DNS server addresses automatically is not checked, check it.
    adware-14
  5. Go to Advanced and select the DNS If there is anything in the DNS server addresses field, remove it and click OK.
    adware-15
  6. Click OK on the rest of the opened windows.

Posted on

Zeus “Virus” Scam Removal

These Zeus “Virus” Scam removal instructions work for Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer, as well as every version of Microsoft Windows.

Zeus “Virus” Scam – as annoying as it gets

What is the most commonly used program on your computer? Is it the multimedia player? Or is it some kind of writing program? Maybe you often play PC games and those are the programs you use most often. Well, maybe, but probably not. No matter what you use your PC for, we are pretty sure that the piece of software that you utilize the most is your browser. That is why, it can be extremely frustrating if you one day find out that it has been invaded and taken over by some nasty and annoying program that prevents you from using your browser properly. This sort of programs is known by the general name of Browser Hijacker. It does not matter whether you are using Chrome, Firefox or IE, if you’ve landed one such program – be prepared for page redirects, popup and other ads, changes to your homepage and default search engine and many other undesirable effects.

What is Zeus “Virus” Scam?

In this article, we will be focusing on one particular Browser Hijacker known as Zeus “Virus”. Still, know that in most cases these programs are very similar, so even if you are dealing with some other program of this type, chances are everything we say about Zeus “Virus” will apply to that other program as well. Also, just below this article, you can find a manual written specifically to help you remove software of this type. Therefore, if you are one of the many unlucky users who have already had their browser taken over by Zeus “Virus” Scam, do not hesitate to use this guide in order to remove the invasive piece of software. Know that sometimes Browser Hijackers might even be promoted as having certain useful functions, so as to trick the user into letting them stay on their machine. However, we believe that there’s hardly a function beneficial enough that a Browser Hijacker might offer you for you to let it stay on your PC. Do not rush straight for the removal guide, though. The article itself contains crucial information that you need to be acquainted with in order to avoid getting in any more Browser Hijacker-related trouble. If you are sure that you are a victim of the real Zeus Virus, then follow the instructions in this link instead.

Are these hijackers viruses?

There are various opinions when it comes to whether programs such as Zeus “Virus” Scam are actually harmful. Some might have you believe that a Browser Hijackers is almost as harmful as Ransomware. However, we’ve dealt with both and we can assure you that there’s a huge difference between the two. While actual malicious viruses like Ransomware or Trojans can cause very serious PC-related problems, there’s very little harm that a Browser Hijacker can do. Sure, it can make it difficult for you to use your browser and frustrate you that way, but your machine and online security are still relatively safe and, as long as you handle the situation carefully, it will likely remain that way. Still, there are several things that we need to note regarding these nagging Hijackers. Though they might not harm your machine directly, they could still expose it to other, more threatening hazards. Sometimes, Browser Hijackers might display ads, some of which could redirect your browser to potentially harmful and illegal websites. Also, it is possible that Zeus “Virus” Scam might attempt to keep an eye on your browser activities. On top of that, it may be impossible to deactivate the Hijacker without removing every last bit of it from your PC (which might not be as easy as uninstalling a regular piece of software. With all that being said, it should be clear that despite its relative harmlessness, a Browser Hijacker should be removed from your machine as quickly as possible.

How do Browser Hijackers find their way to your PC?

There’s only one very important thing left that we need to cover – how these programs get to people’s computers. Well, the methods are several. You can land a Hijacker by opening a spam e-mail infected by it or by clicking on some obscure hyperlink that could directly download the unwanted software on your machine. However, the technique that seems to have the highest success rate is file bundling. This is because most users don’t bother to check what extra pieces of software have been added to a certain program they install. This is, in fact, how the Hijacker gets in. Still, since this is a legal method for software distribution, the way to deal with it is simple and easy. All you have to do is utilize the advanced setup settings when installing new programs (especially if they are some sort of freeware). Once you open the custom installation menu, you will be able to see and leave out of the installation any shady and/or suspicious content that might have been added.

Zeus “Virus” Scam Removal

I – Uninstallation

  1. Use the Winkey+R keyboard combination, write Control Panel in the search field and hit enter.
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  2. Go to Uninstall a program under Programs.
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  3. Seek the unwanted software, select it and then click on Uninstall
    1. If you are unable to spot Zeus, search for any unrecognized programs that you do not remember installing on your PC – the unwanted software might disguise itself by going under a different name.

II – Safe mode and revealing hidden files

  1. Boot your PC into Safe Mode /link/
  2. Reveal hidden files and folders /link/

III – Cleaning all your browsers

  1. Go to your browser’s icon, right-click on it and select Properties.
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  2. Go to the Shortcut tab and in the Target make sure to delete anything written after “.exe”.
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  3. Now, open your browser and follow the instructions below depending on whether you are using Chrome, Mozilla or IE.
  • Chrome users:
  1. Go to your browser’s main menu located in the top-right corner of the screen and select Settings.adware-5
  2. Scroll down, click on Show Advanced Settings and then select Clear browsing data. Just to be sure, tick everything and clear the data.adware-6
  3. Now, in the left pane, go to Extensions and look through all extensions that are integrated within your browser. If you notice any suspicious add-on, disable it and then remove it.
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  • Firefox users:
  1. Similarly to Chrome, go to the main menu and select Add-ons and then Extensions.
  2. Remove any suspicious browser extensions that you may have even if they do not have the name Zeus on them.
  • IE users:
  1. Go to Tools and select Manage add-ons.
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  2. Click on all add-on types from the left pane and check if there is anything suspicious in the right panel. In case you find anything shade, make sure to remove it.

IV – Removing Shady processes

  1. Go to your start menu, type Task Manager in the search field and from the results open View running processes with Task Manager.adware-9
  2. Thoroughly look through all processes. The name Zeus might not be there, but if you notice any shady looking process that consumes high amounts of memory it might be ran by the unwanted program.
  3. If you spot the process ran by Zeus, right-click on it, open its file location and delete everything in there. Then go back to the Task Manager and end the process.adware-10

V – DNS check

  1. In the start menu search box write View Network Connections and open the first result.
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  2. Right-click on the network connection you are using and go to Properties.
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  3. Select Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
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  4. If Obtain DNS server addresses automatically is not checked, check it.
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  5. Go to Advanced and select the DNS If there is anything in the DNS server addresses field, remove it and click OK.
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  6. Click OK on the rest of the opened windows.