BlackKnight2020 ransomware Removal

Is BlackKnight2020 ransomware a serious infection

BlackKnight2020 ransomware will encrypt your data and demand that you pay for a decryption key. Having a device infected with ransomware could have highly serious outcomes, which is why it’s classified as such a harmful infection. As soon as it is launched, it will begin its encryption process. Photos, videos and documents are among the most targeted files because of their value to users. Sadly, you’ll need to get the decryption key in order to unlock files, which the ransomware creators/distributors will offer you for a price. Every now and then, malicious software analysts can crack the ransomware and develop a free decryption tool. We cannot be sure a decryptor will be released but that may be your only option if backup has not been made.

Among the encrypted files or on your desktop, you’ll see a ransom note. You will find a short explanation about why and how your files have been encrypted, in addition to being offered to buy a decryptor. It’s not exactly recommended to pay for a decryptor. It’s not an impossible for cyber criminals to just take the money and not help you. Your money would go towards developing more malware. To be sure you’re never in this kind of situation again, invest into backup. In case you do have copies of your files, simply erase BlackKnight2020 ransomware.

In the following section, we will discuss how the ransomware managed to get into your device, but to summarize, it was likely spread through spam emails and false updates. Such methods are favored by cyber crooks as they do not need a lot of skill.

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How is ransomware spread

Spam emails and false updates are probably how you got ransomware, despite the fact that other spread methods also exist. If you opened a weird email attachment, you have to be more careful. Always thoroughly check the email before opening the attached file. It is also not unusual for crooks to pretend to be from notable companies, as a familiar name would make people less apprehensive. As an example, they might use Amazon’s name, pretending to be emailing you because they noted suspicious behavior on your account. It isn’t difficult to confirm whether it’s actually Amazon or some other company. All you really have to do is see if the email address matches any that belong to the company. If you are uncertain scan the attachment with a malware scanner, just to be sure.

It’s also possible that false software updates were how ransomware managed to get into. Dubious web pages are where we believe you encountered the bogus update alerts. They also come up in ad form and wouldn’t necessarily appear suspicious. For those familiar with how alerts about updates appear, however, this will seem questionable immediately. If you wish to have a malware-free device, never download anything from advertisements or other questionable sources. When your software requires an update, either the program in question will notify you, or it will automatically update.

What does ransomware do

Your files are no longer openable, as you have probably noticed by now. Right after you opened a contaminated file, the ransomware began the encryption process, which is not necessarily noticeable. An attached extension to files will mark files that have been locked. There is no use in trying to open affected files since they’ve been encrypted via a powerful encryption algorithm. If you check your desktop or folders that contain files that have been encrypted, a ransom note ought to appear, which should provide information on what you can do about your files. Ransomware notes generally follow the same pattern, they let the victim know that files have been locked and threaten them with erasing files if a payment isn’t made. Giving into the requests isn’t a good idea, even if crooks have the decryption tool. Even after you pay, we doubt that cyber criminals will feel a sense of obligation to help you. If you pay this time, crooks may believe you would be inclined to pay again, thus you could be targeted specifically next time.

You ought to firstly try and recall whether you’ve uploaded any of your files somewhere. Or you could backup files that have been encrypted and wait for a malicious software specialist to create a free decryptor, which does happen sometimes. Whatever the case might be, it’s still necessary to eliminate BlackKnight2020 ransomware.

Hopefully, this will serve as a lesson for you to frequently back up your files. If you do not take the time to make backups, you may end up in the same kind of situation again. So as to keep your files secure, you will need to purchase backup, and there are a couple of options available, some more expensive than others.

BlackKnight2020 ransomware elimination

If you’re not certain about what you’re doing, manual elimination is not the option you ought to opt for. Use malware removal program to deal with the threat, because otherwise you’re risking doing further damage to your computer. If anti-malware program can’t be initiated, reboot your computer in Safe Mode. After you run malware removal program in Safe Mode, you shouldn’t encounter problems when you attempt to erase BlackKnight2020 ransomware. However unfortunate it may be, you won’t be able to restore files with anti-malware program as that is not its goal.

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Learn how to remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware from your computer

• Step 1. Remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.
• Step 2. Remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware using System Restore
• Step 3. Recover your data

Step 1. Remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.
• b) Step 2. Remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

b) Step 2. Remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware.

You will now need to open your browser and download some kind of anti-malware software. Choose a trustworthy one, install it and have it scan your computer for malicious threats. When the ransomware is found, remove it. If, for some reason, you can't access Safe Mode with Networking, go with another option.

Step 2. Remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware using System Restore

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
• b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

1. You will need to type in cd restore in the window that appears. Press Enter.
2. Type in rstrui.exe and again, press Enter.
3. A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again.
4. Press Yes.

While this should have taken care of the ransomware, you might want to download anti-malware just to be sure no other threats are lurking.  

Step 3. Recover your data

• a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.
• b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions
• c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

While backup is essential, there is still quite a few users who do not have it. If you are one of them, you can try the below provided methods and you just might be able to recover files.

a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.

1. Download Data Recovery Pro, preferably from a trustworthy website.
2. Scan your device for recoverable files.
3. Recover them.

b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions

If you had System Restore enabled, you can recover files through Windows Previous Versions.

1. Find a file you want to recover.
2. Right-click on it.
3. Select Properties and then Previous versions.
4. Pick the version of the file you want to recover and press Restore.

c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

If you are lucky, the ransomware did not delete your shadow copies. They are made by your system automatically for when system crashes.

1. Go to the official website (shadowexplorer.com) and acquire the Shadow Explorer application.
2. Set up and open it.
3. Press on the drop down menu and pick the disk you want.
4. If folders are recoverable, they will appear there. Press on the folder and then Export.

* SpyHunter scanner, published on this site, is intended to be used only as a detection tool. More info on SpyHunter. To use the removal functionality, you will need to purchase the full version of SpyHunter. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, click here.