Remove Grand_car@aol.com Ransomware

How to Remove Grand_car@aol.com Ransomware?

Grand_car@aol.com seems like a pretty regular, non-threatening email address, doesn’t it? Well, appearances can be deceiving. This particular email is connected to a dangerous cyber threat. And, if you see the email, you’re in deep trouble. You managed to catch one of the worst infections, roaming the web. You have a ransomware tool on your hands. The infections of the ransomware family are horrendous. They bring nothing but grievances. They target your data, take it hostage, and extort you for money for its safe return. They’re programmed that way. That’s how they work. And, now you’re stuck with one. Here’s what you can expect. The ransomware slithers into your PC, and encrypts everything you have stored on it. It renders your data inaccessible. Then, it demands you contact the kidnappers via the Grand_car@aol.com email. They set a ransom amount, and await payment. It’s a simple enough scheme. Invade, encrypt, extort. You’ll face the conundrum to pay or not to pay. Heed experts’ advice! Pick the latter! Do NOT pay these people! Paying only worsens your predicament. You might be thinking how is that even possible? Well, it is. If you complete the monetary transaction you open a door to these people. One, which you cannot close. A door to your personal and financial information. Don’t let extortionists into your private life. Pick privacy over pictures. Forsake your files. It’s the tougher but wiser choice.

How did I get infected with?

Ransomware tools turn to the usual antics to gain access to your PC. They tend to use the old but gold means of infiltration to enter. And, via trickery and deceit, fool you into agreeing to install an infection. And, you don’t even realize it at the time. Oh, yes. Such tools not only get you to permit them in, but also keep you oblivious. How? Well, it’s rather straightforward. They prey on your carelessness. Ransomware programs rely on your distraction and naivety. If you rush and throw caution to the wind, you increase the odds of getting stuck with such a cyber threat. So, don’t! Don’t give into gullibility and haste! Be more vigilant and thorough. Pay more attention when installing a tool or an update on your PC. Read the terms and conditions. Do your due diligence! Even a little extra attention goes a long way. Remember that next time you’re dealing with freeware or installing a supposed Java update.

Why is Grand_car@aol.com dangerous?

Now, understand this. Grand_car@aol.com is just an email address. It’s not the threat you’re facing, it’s merely connected to it. The actual plague on your PC is using the address for its scheming. Think of it as the mediator in your hostage situation. You use the email for the back-and-forth exchanges between you and the kidnappers. It’s definitely part of the problem. But the menace that should concern you much more is the infection, behind it. You have a ransomware tool, lurking somewhere on your computer. And, unless you take action against it, you’ll regret it. You’ll find yourself in an abyss of headaches and unpleasantness. Once it encrypts everything, it clues you into the mess you’re in. It makes sure you know that you’re dealing with a cyber threat that locked your files. And, the only way to free them is via a decryption key. One, which, of course, will cost you. Such tools usually ask for a monetary payment in Bitcoin. Just so you get a better idea of your predicament, 1 Bitcoin is close to 600 USD. Although, its price varies, it’s no small amount. But even if it were $1, experts advise against payment! Do not be naive, and don’t kid yourself. Even if you’re complicit to all the demands these people make, you can’t win. Don’t expect miracles. These are malicious people, who infiltrated your PC, and encrypted your data. Then, requested you pay a ransom for their release. Do you honestly believe they’ll keep their end of the deal? And, even if they do give you the decryption key you need, and it works, you’re still hoodwinked. Do you want to know why? There are two reasons. One is that the tool is still on your computer! You may have decrypted your data, but the ransomware is still there! What’s to stop it from putting you through the same situation the next day? Nothing! It can act up an hour after you release your files. And, you’re back to square one. Only, now you have less money and the kidnappers have access to your privacy. That’s the second reason. If you pay these people, you allow them into your private life. They have access to your personal and financial information. And, no amount of pictures, videos, or documents are worth such a risk. Files are replaceable. Privacy is not. Make the right choice.

Grand_car@aol.com Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Grand_car@aol.com 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 Grand_car@aol.com 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 Grand_car@aol.com 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.