Remove Enc File Ransomware Virus

How to Remove Enc File Extension Ransomware?

You turn on your computer, and you notice something is off. You don’t see your usual desktop image but, instead, you see a message. It informs you that your data is on lock-down. You cannot access any of the files you have stored on your PC, and moving them won’t help. They’re encrypted. And, indeed, all your documents, videos, music, pictures, are no longer accessible. They’re renamed. Now, you find your data with an added extension. Every single file bears the Enc extension. For example, if you had a video named ‘awesome,’ it’s now ‘awesome.enc.’ And, as if to top of the unpleasantness, the message reads if you want to reclaim your data. You have to pay up. Oh, yes. If you want to decrypt your encrypted files, you have to pay a ransom of 2.2 Bitcoins. And, that’s somewhere around 1276.55 USD. That’s how ransomware infections work. And, you have one. It slithered its way into your system, and is now extorting you. Don’t allow it to succeed and swindle you out of such a hefty sum. Now, 1276.55 USD is no small amount of money. But it’s worth it if you’ll free your files, right? Wrong. You have no guarantees. Even if you comply and follow the kidnappers instructions. You can still have your data encrypted, beyond your reach. Only if you pay, you’ll also grant access to your private life to these people. Think about that. Are you prepared to risk so much? To take such a gamble when the prospects of success are so close to non-existent? Play it safe. Pick privacy over pictures. Everything on your PC is replaceable. Can you say the same about your personal and financial details?

How did I get infected with?

Ransomware invades your system through cunning and deceit. It uses trickery to dupe you into installing it. Yes, you consent to its installment. Tools like it require user’s permission to enter. Your permission. They have to ask whether you agree to allow them in, or not. However, they don’t do it out in the open. Instead, they turn to every known trick in the book. So, don’t be too hard on yourself. You were fooled. The most common means of infiltration include corrupted links, freeware or spam email attachments. Also, the infection can pretend to be a fake update. For example, you may be convinced that you’re updating your Java, but you’d be wrong. In actuality, you’ll be installing a dangerous cyber menace. Remember. Ransomware cannot invade your PC without your carelessness to assist it. It preys on your distraction, gullibility, and haste. So, don’t grant them. Be extra thorough and vigilant. Even a little extra attention can save you a ton of troubles.

Why is Enc File Extension dangerous?

If you see the Enc extension added to your files, you’re in trouble. Ransomware snuck into system, and is now calling the shots. These infections are malicious. Once they gain entry, they don’t waste any time. They get to work, and lock all the files you keep on your computer. Every single one. Once the encryption process is complete, you see the desktop message. You’re also provided with a TXT file, which explains your predicament. It also gives you instructions on what you have to do to decrypt your data.  And, so did the ransomware tool that currently causing you so many headaches. That’s how these infections operate. They invade, take over, and extort you for money. No matter what they promise, don’t buy it. These are malicious cyber threats curated by people, who cannot be trusted. No matter how complicit you are, you’ll always get the short straw. Do you know why? The game is rigged against you from the start. You just can’t win. Let’s imagine the best-case scenario, shall we? You pay the ransom, receive a decryption key, and release your files. But then what? By completing the payment, you gave access to your private information to strangers. Unknown individuals with agendas will have your personal and financial information at their disposal. Do you think that will end well for you? Don’t fool yourself. And, even if you ignore this terrible possibility for a second, think of this. What’s to stop the ransomware tool from taking over the very next day? Nothing. It can take over your PC an hour, a day, a week after you completed the money transfer. Instead of giving your money and private life to cyber criminals, choose the lesser evil. Discard your data. Don’t pay. Don’t comply. It may not seem like it now, but it’s the best course of action you can take.

Enc File Extension Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Enc File Extension Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with Enc File Extension encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate Enc File Extension encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.