Remove COVM ransomware

Is COVM ransomware a dangerous threat

COVM ransomware can bring about severe harm to your device and leave your files locked. Because of how easy it is to catch an infection, ransomware is considered to be a highly severe infection. Ransomware targets specific file types, which will be encrypted as soon as it’s launched. It’s possible that all of your photos, videos and documents were encrypted because you are likely to hold those files as the most valuable. You’ll need a decryption key to unlock the files but only the people responsible for this ransomware have it. If the ransomware is decryptable, malicious software specialists might be able to develop a free decryption tool. This may be your sole choice if you do not have backup.

You’ll find a ransom note either on the desktop or in folders that have encrypted files. The note ought to contain an explanation about why you cannot open files and how much you need to pay to get a decryption application. While we can’t force you to do anything as it’s your files we’re talking about but we would not advise paying for a decryption tool. Cyber crooks simply taking your money and not helping you with file recovery is not a surprising scenario. Moreover, that payment will probably go towards supporting other malicious software projects. Therefore, investing that money into backup would be better. In case you do have copies of your files, just remove COVM ransomware.

Download Removal Toolto remove COVM ransomware

It is very likely that you opened a malicious email or fell for a false update. We’re so certain about this since those methods are the most popular.

How does ransomware spread

You could get infected in a variety of ways, but as we’ve mentioned above, you possibly got the contamination via fake updates or spam emails. If you opened a strange email attachment, you have to be more cautious. When dealing with senders you are not familiar with, you have to carefully check the email before opening the attachment. In many emails of this kind, recognizable company names are used as it would lower people’ guard. It’s quite common for the sender to pretend to be from Amazon or eBay, with the email saying that strange behavior was noticed on your account. Luckily, it isn’t difficult to confirm if it’s really Amazon or another company. Compare the sender’s email address with the ones used by the company, and if there are no records of the address used by someone real, do not open the file attached. It is also suggested to scan the file with a reliable scanner for malicious software.

If you do not remember opening spam emails, fake program updates may have been used to infect. False alerts for updates typically pop up when you visit suspicious websites, continually requesting you to install something. Those bogus update offers are also frequently pushed through advertisements and banners. We highly doubt anyone who knows how updates work will ever engage with them, however. Do not download anything from ads, because you are you are endangering your computer for no reason. The application will notify you when an update is necessary, or it may update itself automatically.

What does ransomware do

We likely do not have to explain that your files have been encrypted. As soon as the malware file was opened, the ransomware started encrypting your files, which you might not have necessarily noticed. A specific file extension will show files that have been locked. File encryption has been executed via a powerful encryption algorithm so attempting to open them is no use. Information about how to restore your files should be found on the ransom note. Ransom notes typically follow a certain pattern, threaten with forever lost files and tell you how to recover them by paying the ransom. It is not impossible that crooks behind this ransomware have the sole decryptor but even if that’s true, paying the ransom isn’t suggested. Realistically, how likely is it that the people who locked your files in the first place, will feel obliged to restore your files, even after a payment is made. The same hackers might make you a target particularly next time because in their belief if you have paid once, you may pay again.

It might be the case that you have uploaded at least some of your files somewhere, so look into that. Because malware researchers can sometimes release free decryption tools, if one isn’t available now, back up your locked files for when/if it is. Whichever option you choose, it is still necessary to eliminate COVM ransomware.

No matter what decision you make, you need to start backing up your files on a frequent basis. There is always a possibility that you could lose your files, so having backup is necessary. Backup prices differ depending in which form of backup you pick, but the investment is definitely worth it if you have files you don’t want to lose.

COVM ransomware elimination

Attempting manual removal is not suggested. Use anti-malware to erase the threat, instead. You will likely need to reboot your computer in Safe Mode in order to launch the anti-malware program successfully. The malicious software removal program should be working fine in Safe Mode, so you ought to be able to uninstall COVM ransomware. Bear in mind that anti-malware program can’t help you with files, it can only get rid of the ransomware for you.

Download Removal Toolto remove COVM ransomware

Learn how to remove COVM ransomware from your computer

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

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

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