How to remove SIFRELI virus

Is SIFRELI virus a dangerous malware

SIFRELI virus is a piece of malicious software that will locks your files and lead to severe harm. Due to how ransomware acts, it’s very dangerous to have ransomware on the device. Once the ransomware is inside, it’ll scan for certain files and encrypt them. The most commonly encrypted files include photos, videos and documents as they are likely to be ones users will pay for. Sadly, in order to decrypt files, you need the decryption key, which the criminals behind this malware will attempt to sell you. We ought to mention that malware researchers sometimes release free decryption applications, if they can crack the ransomware. If you have never backed up your files and have no other option, you might as well wait for that free decryption program.

On your desktop or in folders with encrypted files, you’ll find a ransom note. You will find a short explanation about what happened to your files in the note, in addition to being offered a decryptor. Our next statement will not surprise you but interacting with cyber criminals over anything is not the best course of action. It’s not an impossible for hackers to just take your money without helping you. Your money would go towards making future malware. A better investment would be backup. If you have made backup, you might just delete SIFRELI virus and proceed to file recovery.

It is highly likely that you opened a dangerous email or downloaded some kind of false update. Spam emails and fake updates are one of the most widely used methods, which is why we’re certain you acquired the malicious software via them.

Download Removal Toolto remove SIFRELI virus

How is ransomware distributed

You likely got the ransomware through spam email or false program updates. If you recall opening a strange email attachment, we recommend you be more careful in the future. Do not rush to open every single attachment you get, and first ensure it is safe. You should also know that hackers frequently pretend to be from legitimate companies in order to make people lower their guard. Amazon may be displayed as the sender, for example, and that they are emailing you because weird behavior was noticed on the account or that an unusual purchase was made. However, these types of emails are easy to analyze. Check the sender’s email address, and whether it appears real or not check that it actually belongs to the company they say to be from. It’s also suggested to scan the file with a malicious software scanner.

It’s also not impossible that you were tricked into installing a bogus software update. Those kinds of malicious software update offers typically appear on questionable websites. Bogus updates popping up in advert or banner form are also rather frequent. Still, for those who knows that real updates are never offered this way, it will immediately be clear as to what’s going on. Never download updates or software from sources such as ads. Take into consideration that if a program has to be updated, the application will either automatically update or alert you through the program, not through your browser.

What does this malware do

Ransomware has encrypted your files, which is why you can’t open then. As soon as the infected file was opened, the ransomware started encrypting your files, which you might not have necessarily noticed. You’ll see that a file extension has been attached to all affected files. File encryption has been carried out using a complicated encryption algorithm so don’t waste your time attempting to open them. Information about what you have to do to recover your files should be on the ransom note. Text files that act as the ransom note ordinarily tend to threaten users with erased files and strongly encourage victims to buy the offered decryptor. Giving into the requests is not something many people will suggest, even if it might be the only way to get files back. The people who locked your files in the first place won’t feel obliged to help you even if you pay. The same criminals may target you particularly next time because in their belief if you have paid once, you might pay again.

It might be possible that you’ve uploaded some of your files somewhere, so check storage devices you own and various social media accounts. Because it’s possible for malware researchers to make free decryptors, if one is not currently available, back up your encrypted files for when/if it is. Whatever the case may be, you’ll still need to delete SIFRELI virus.

Backing up your files is essential so we hope you will start doing that. You may be put into a similar situation again which might result in file loss. Backup prices vary depending in which backup option you choose, but the investment is absolutely worth it if you have files you want to guard.

Ways to uninstall SIFRELI virus

Manual elimination isn’t recommended. Download malicious software removal program to get rid of the threat, unless you want to risk further harming to your computer. You may be having issue opening the software, in which case you ought to, boot your system in Safe Mode and attempt again. Once your system has been booted in Safe Mode, launch the anti-malware program, scan your system and remove SIFRELI virus. However unfortunate it may be, malware removal program will not help you restore files as it is not capable of doing that.

Download Removal Toolto remove SIFRELI virus

Learn how to remove SIFRELI virus from your computer

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

Step 1. Remove SIFRELI virus using Safe Mode with Networking.

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

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 SIFRELI virus.

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 SIFRELI virus 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.