Remove Nullbyte Ransomware

How to Remove Nullbyte Ransomware?

Nullbyte is the name of a ransomware infection. And, in case you’re unfamiliar, that’s arguably the worst infection you can catch. It tops the charts because of its design. These tools are programmed to target your private data. When they strike, it’s personal. When a ransomware application acts up, you lose your pictures, documents, music, etc. Everything you have on your computer is no longer available to you. The tool locks it with a special file extension, and extorts you for money. It demands you pay a ransom for the data’s decryption. Hence, the name of the cyber menace. Before anything else is said, understand this. Battling ransomware is a fight you just can’t win. The game is rigged against you from the start. The odds are NOT in your favor. That’s why, experts advise not to try at all. Let’s elaborate. If you pay the ransom, you lose more than you gain. You lose your personal and financial data to strangers. Yes, if you pay, you grant access to your private details to the extortionists that locked your files. So, don’t do it! You only fall deeper into the abyss of problems if you do. So, cut your losses. Forsake your files. Let the ransomware win, and keep your privacy private. After all, pictures are replaceable. Can you say the same about your private information? Figure out your priorities.

How did I get infected with?

Ransomware infections, like Nullbyte, are masterful at sneaking into your system. These tools not only gain entrance to your PC, but do so without you even realizing it. That’s right. They manage to slither in undetected. That’s quite the conundrum, considering they need your approval to enter, wouldn’t you say? So, how do you suppose they pull it off? It’s pretty straightforward. They prey on your carelessness. And, with the help of the old but gold means of infiltration invade your PC. They dupe you into allowing them in, while keeping you oblivious. More often than not, it hitches a ride with freeware. That’s possibly the easiest entry point. For reasons unknown, most users throw caution to the wind when installing freeware. Instead of being thorough and vigilant, they rely on luck. That’s a horrible notion with predictable results. You get stuck with malware. If you rush and give into distraction, an infection can easily slip through the cracks. If you wish to prevent that, or at least improve your chances, be more careful! Do your due diligence, and remember that even a little extra attention can save you a ton of troubles.

Why is Nullbyte dangerous?

Nullbyte is a plague on your system. It may seem as an exaggeration at first but, unfortunately, it’s not. Shortly after the ransomware gains access to your system, it goes to work. It encrypts every single file you have stored on your PC. And, we do mean every one. It leaves no stone unturned, and nothing escapes its reach. When the tool is done with your data, they’re no longer accessible. The infection renames them by adding an extension, thus, rendering them unusable. You can’t open them, and moving them or changing their names won’t work. The only way to release them from the program’s clutches is with a decryption key. And, that will cost you. As was already stated, you’ll lose more than money if you pay. The payment is usually in Bitcoin, and ranges between 0.5 and 1.5. But hold your sign of relief just yet. Although, it’s an ever-changing currency, 1 Bitcoin is in the 600 USD range. That’s no small number. However, even if it was a mere dollar, we still advise against payment. We say it again, if you pay these people, you give them access to your private information. Not to mention, that you have NO guarantees you’ll actually regain control of your data. Zero. Zilch. Nada. That’s right. Even if you comply to the fullest, chances are, you’ll still get hoodwinked. After all, you’re dealing with extortionists. Do you expect them to be trustworthy, and keep their end of the bargain? There are so many ways they can double-cross you. They can send you the wrong decryption key. Or, not send you one at all. Or, send you the correct key, but encrypt your data again just as you’ve managed to unlock it. We’re talking about malicious individuals with agendas. Don’t expect them to be honest and reliable. And, even in the best-case scenario, you still lose. Even if you free your files from the encryption, strangers will have access to your privacy. Don’t risk it. Don’t gamble with your private life. It’s far more precious than pictures. Protect it. Say goodbye to your files. It’s a difficult decision to make, but it’s the right one.

Nullbyte Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Nullbyte 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 Nullbyte 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 Nullbyte 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.