Remove Annabelle ransomware

What is data encoding malicious program

Annabelle ransomware will encode your files, as that is the prime intention of ransomware. Ransomware contaminations are not be taken lightly, as they might result in file loss. Another reason why ransomware is believed to be so dangerous is that threat is pretty easy to acquire. Spam email attachments, infected advertisements and fake downloads are the most typical reasons why ransomware may be able to infect. After the encryption process is complete, it’ll request you to pay a ransom for a decryptor utility. You will probably be asked to pay a minimum of a couple hundred dollars, depending on what file encrypting malware you have, and how much you value your data. Whatever you’re requested to pay by this ransomware, consider the situation cautiously before you do. Relying on crooks to keep their word and recover your files would be naive, since they might just take your money. It wouldn’t be surprising if you were left with undecrypted files, and you would certainly not be the first one. It would be better to invest the money into backup, instead. You will find all types of backup options, and we’re sure you will be able to find one that’s right for you. You may recover data after you remove Annabelle ransomware if you had backup already prior to the threat infiltrating your computer. This isn’t likely to be the last time you’ll get infected with some kind of malicious program, so you need to be ready. If you wish your computer to be malware-free, you will need to learn about malware and what to do to avoid them.

Download Removal Toolto remove Annabelle ransomware

How does file encrypting malicious program spread

People typically infect their computers with file encrypting malware by opening infected email attachments, engaging with infected ads and acquiring software from sources they shouldn’t. Occasionally, however, people get infected using more sophisticated methods.

Try to recall if you have recently visited the spam section of your email inbox and opened one of the files attached in those suspicious emails. Criminals add an infected file to an email, which gets sent to hundreds or even thousands of users. Since those emails commonly use sensitive topics, like money, many people open them without even considering the consequences. When dealing with unfamiliar sender emails, look out for certain signs that it may be malicious, like mistakes in grammar, pressure to open the attachment. If the sender was a company whose services you use, your name would be put in automatically into the email they send you, instead of a regular greeting. Expect to come across company names such as Amazon or PayPal used in those emails, as a familiar name would make the email look more real. Clicking on advertisements when on dubious web pages and using dangerous sites as download sources may also lead to an infection. Certain pages may be hosting infected ads, which if engaged with could trigger dangerous downloads. And use only legitimate web pages when it comes to downloads. Bear in mind that you should never download software, updates, or anything really, from weird sources, such as adverts. Applications usually update automatically, but if manual update was necessary, you would be notified via the software itself.

What happened to your files?

The reason file encrypting malware is considered to be quite harmful is due to its ability to encrypt your data and lead to you being permanently blocked from accessing them. And it will take minutes, if not seconds, for all files you believe are important to be locked. Once your files have been encrypted, you will see that all affected ones have a file extension. Some data encrypting malware do use strong encryption algorithms on your files, which makes it hard to recover files without having to pay. You should then see a ransom note, which should explain the situation. The note will request that you buy a decryption tool file recovery, but paying wouldn’t be the best decision. Do not forget that you’re dealing with crooks, and what is stopping them from simply taking your money. You would also be supporting the crooks’s future malware projects, in addition to likely money loss. When victims give into the demands, they are making ransomware a pretty profitable business, which already made $1 billion in 2016, and obviously that will lure plenty of people to it. Investing into backup instead of giving into the demands would be a much better idea. And you wouldn’t be risking losing your data if this type of threat hijacked your computer again. Just ignore the demands and terminate Annabelle ransomware. If you become familiar with the distribution methods of this threat, you should be able to avoid them in the future.

How to uninstall Annabelle ransomware

To check if the threat is still present and to eliminate it, if it’s, malicious program removal software will be required. You may have chosen to remove Annabelle ransomware manually but you might end up further damaging your system, which it is not recommended. It would be better to use professional elimination software which would not be jeopardizing your device. The tool would scan your computer and if it can find the infection, it will eliminate Annabelle ransomware. So that you aren’t left on your own, guidelines below this article have been placed to help you. However unfortunate it may be, those tools can’t help you restore your data, they will just get rid of the threat. But, you should also know that some data encoding malicious software is decryptable, and malware researchers may create free decryption utilities.

Download Removal Toolto remove Annabelle ransomware

Learn how to remove Annabelle ransomware from your computer

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

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

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