Joker Ransomware Removal

What is Ransomware Removal

Joker Ransomware will attempt to lock your data, thus the classification file-encrypting malware. This kind of malicious software is commonly known as ransomware. There are a couple of ways the threat could have entered your device, probably either via spam email attachments, infected ads and downloads. Continue reading to find out how you could stop an infection. Ransomware is not considered to be such a harmful threat for nothing, if you wish to avoid possibly dire outcomes, make sure you know how to prevent an infection. If you don’t know what ransomware is, it may be particularly surprising to see your data encrypted. A ransom note should appear soon after the files are encrypted, and it’ll request that you buy the decryption tool. We doubt a decryption software will be sent to you after you pay, since you’re dealing with hackers, who will not feel responsible to help you. It would be more probable that you won’t get a decryptor. By giving into the demands, you’d also be supporting an industry that does damage worth hundreds of millions every year. It ought to be said that there are malware analysts who help victims of ransomware to restore files, so you may be in luck. Look into that before you make any rushed decisions. If you did take care to backup your data, they can be restored after you erase Joker Ransomware.

Download Removal Toolto remove Joker Ransomware

How does Ransomware Removal spread

There are various ways the infection may have entered your computer. It is not exactly abnormal for ransomware to use more sophisticated methods to spread, although it employs basic ones more commonly. Many ransomware authors/distributors prefer to send out infected spam emails and host the malware on various download sites, as those methods do not require much skill. Contamination via spam email still remains one of the most frequent ways users get get the malware. The file infected with ransomware was attached to an email that was made to look real, and sent to all possible victims, whose email addresses they store in their database. For people who do know about these spread methods, the email will not fool you, but if you have never run into one before, you might not recognize it. Mistakes in the text and a nonsense sender address could be a sign that you could be dealing with malware. Cyber crooks also like to use known company names to not cause users distrust. Our advice would be that even if the sender is familiar, the sender’s address ought to still be checked. Check if your name is mentioned anywhere in the email, in the greeting for example, and if it is not, that should raise red flags. If you get an email from a company/organization you have dealt with before, instead of greetings like Member or User, your name will always be included. As an example, if you’re an eBay user, the name you have provided them will be automatically inserted into emails they send you.

If you want the shortened version of this section, always check sender’s identity before you open an attachment. It’s also not suggested to click on ads hosted on pages that have a questionable reputation. Not all ads are safe, and you might be rerouted to a site that will initiate a dangerous download. However appealing an advert might seem, avoid interacting with it. And stop jeopardizing your system by downloading from dangerous download sources. If you are doing downloads via torrents, you should always check if the torrent is safe by checking what other people are saying. In other cases, malware could also misuse vulnerabilities in software to enter. Which is why it’s so important that you update your software. All you have to do is install the fixes, which are released by software vendors when they become aware of the vulnerability.

What happened to your files

As soon as you open the ransomware file, the ransomware launches and starts looking for certain file types to encrypt. Its primary targets are documents and media files, as you are likely to hold them important. When the files are identified, the ransomware will use a strong encryption algorithm to encrypt them. The encrypted files will have a file extension added to them, and that’ll help you quickly discover encrypted files. A ransom note should then pop up, which will offer you a decryption utility in exchange for money. How much the decryption software costs really depends on the ransomware, the amount might be $50 or it could be a $1000. While you are the one to decide whether you will pay or not, do consider the reasons why malware researchers don’t recommend giving into the requests. Before you consider paying, you need to research other file recovery means. Maybe a free decryptor was developed by malicious software specialists. Try to remember maybe you have backed up some of your files somewhere. Or maybe the Shadow copies of your files were not removed, which indicated that by using a specific software, file recovery may be a success. We hope you have obtained backup and will start backing up your files, so that this situation doesn’t occur again. If backup is an option, you should only access it after you delete Joker Ransomware.

How to uninstall Joker Ransomware

We don’t advise attempting to manually take care of the threat. You could end up seriously damaging your computer if errors are made. A better idea would be to use a malicious software elimination program because the threat would be taken care of by the program. The utility ought to successfully eliminate Joker Ransomware since it was made with the intention of getting rid of such threats. Your files will not be restored by the utility, as it isn’t able to do that. You’ll need to carry out data recovery yourself.

Download Removal Toolto remove Joker Ransomware

Learn how to remove Joker Ransomware from your computer

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

Step 1. Remove Joker Ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

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