How to remove Gru ransomware

Is this a serious ransomware

Gru ransomware will lock your files and demand that you pay for a decryption key. Ransomware in general is believed to be a highly dangerous infection because of its behavior. Ransomware targets specific file types, which will be encrypted as soon as it is launched. Generally, it targets files such as photos, videos, documents, essentially all files people would be prone to paying money for. Sadly, you’ll have to get a special key in order to decrypt files, which the hackers behind this ransomware will attempt to sell you. Do not lose hope, however, as researchers specializing in malware may be able to create a free decryption application. This is your best choice if you have not made backup.

You will see a ransom note put on your machine after the ransomware finishes the encryption process. The criminals who made or are distributing ransomware will offer you to buy a decryption application, explaining that it is the only way to recover files. You shouldn’t be shocked when told this but interacting with hackers is not suggested. A much more likely scenario is criminals taking your money while not giving anything in exchange. There is no way to guarantee that they will not do that. Seeing as you’re considering paying hackers, maybe investing money for backup would be wiser. In case you have made copies of your files, simply remove Gru ransomware.

If you remember recently opening a spam email attachment or downloading a program update from a dubious source that is how it managed to get into your device. The reason we say you most probably got it through those methods is because they are the most popular among cyber crooks.

Download Removal Toolto remove Gru ransomware

Ransomware spread methods

The most likely way you got the infection was via spam email or false software updates. Because of how frequent spam campaigns are, you need to familiarize yourself with what malicious spam look like. When dealing with senders you aren’t familiar with, do not immediately open the attached file and carefully check the email first. So as to make you lower your guard, hackers will pretend to be from companies you are likely to be familiar with. You could get an email with the sender saying to be from Amazon, alerting you about some kind of weird behavior on your account or a new purchase. Nevertheless, you can easily check whether the sender is who they claim they are. Compare the sender’s email address with the ones used by the company, and if you see no records of the address used by anyone real, best not to engage. Moreover, use an anti-malware scanner to ensure the file is harmless before you open it.

If you are sure spam email is not responsible, bogus software updates may also be responsible. Alerts that promote false software updates are usually encountered when visiting websites with dubious reputation. Those fake update offers might also appear in ads and banners. It is unlikely anyone who knows how updates are suggested will ever engage with them, however. Never download updates or programs from sources such as ads. Keep in mind that if a program needs to be updated, the program will either automatically update or notify you through the application, and definitely not via your browser.

How does ransomware behave

Ransomware has locked your files, which is why they cannot be opened. Right after you opened a contaminated file, the ransomware began the encryption process, which you wouldn’t have necessarily see. An added extension to files will indicate files that have been locked. There is no use in attempting to open affected files as a powerful encryption algorithm was used for their encryption. If you look on your desktop or folders containing encrypted files, a ransom note should become visible, which should contain information on what you could do about your files. Ransom notes usually follow a certain pattern, include threats about files being removed forever and tell you how to recover them by making a payment. Even if the crooks have the only decryption utility for your files, paying the ransom isn’t a recommended option. Relying on people who locked your files in the first place to keep their end of the bargain is not exactly the best decision. If you make a payment one time, you may be willing to pay a second time, or that’s what cyber criminals might think.

Before you even consider paying, check if you’ve stored some of your files anywhere. Alternatively you can backup your locked files and hope a malicious software specialist makes a free decryption tool, which does happen occasionally. It’s important to eliminate Gru ransomware from your device as quickly as possible, whatever the case may be.

We believe this experience will become a lesson, and you will start routinely backing up your files. Otherwise, you could end up in the same exact situation again, with probably permanent file loss. So as to keep your files safe, you’ll need to acquire backup, and there are quite a few options available, some more costly than others.

How to delete Gru ransomware

If you’re not sure about what you have to do, do not attempt manual removal. To delete the infection use anti-malware program, unless you want to additionally harm your device. If you are not able to launch the malicious software removal program, you’ll need to reboot your device in Safe Mode. You should be able to successfully eliminate Gru ransomware when anti-malware program is launched in Safe Mode. Malware elimination won’t help with file recovery, however.

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Learn how to remove Gru ransomware from your computer

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

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

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