Remove Echelon stealer malware

Is Echelon stealer malware a dangerous ransomware

Echelon stealer malware will encrypt your files and request that you pay for their decryption tool. Due to how ransomware acts, it’s highly dangerous to have ransomware on the computer. A data encryption process will be immediately launched as soon as the contaminated file is opened. Most likely, all of your photos, videos and documents were encrypted because those files are the most important. You will not be able to open files so easily, you will have to decrypt them using a special key, which is in the possession of the hackers who locked your files in the first place. All hope is not lost, however, as malware specialists might be able to create a free decryption utility. If you don’t have backup for your files and don’t intend to give into the criminals’ requests, that free decryptor might be your best choice.

In addition to the encrypted files, you’ll also notice a ransom note placed on your operating system. The note should explain why you cannot open files and how much you should pay to get them back. We cannot exactly recommend you to pay for a decryptor. It is possible for crooks to just take the money and not help you. Furthermore, your money will go towards future criminal activity, which you might become victim of again. Also, if you do not wish to be put in this kind of situation again, you need to have trustworthy backup to guard your files. You might just delete Echelon stealer malware if you do have backup.

Download Removal Toolto remove Echelon stealer malware

If you recently opened a strange email attachment or downloaded some type of update, that is how it could have gotten into your system. Those methods are the most often used among crooks.

Ransomware spread methods

Despite the fact that your device may get contaminated in a few ways, the most probable way you got it was through spam email or false update. Because dangerous spam campaigns are pretty common, you need to learn what dangerous spam look like. Before opening an attachment, a cautious email check is required. It is also rather common to see crooks pretending to be from notable companies, as a well-known company names would make people lose their guard. You may get an email with the sender saying to be from Amazon, alerting you that your account has been displaying signs of questionable behavior. However, it is not hard to examine these emails. Look into the email address and see if it is among the ones used by the company, and if there are no records of the address used by someone legitimate, best not to engage. If you have any doubts, you also need to scan the attachment with a credible malware scanner, just to be sure.

Another method often used is false updates. You may encounter false update notifications when on dubious web pages, intrusively forcing you to install something. In some cases, you could run into them in ad or banner form and it may see pretty convincing. However, for those who knows that no actual updates will ever be offered this way, it will immediately be clear as to what’s going on. If you continue to download from dubious sources, you’ll end up with all kinds of junk on your system. When a program needs an update, you would be notified via the program itself, or it may update itself automatically.

What does this malware do

Your files have been encrypted, as you have probably noticed by now. File encryption might not be noticeable necessarily, and would have began as soon as you opened the contaminated file. All locked files will be marked with a weird extension, so you’ll know which files have been affected. Because a complex encryption algorithm was used, you will not be able to open the locked files so easily. The ransom note, which could be found on folders containing encrypted files, should explain what happened to your files and what your options are. All ransom notes appear practically identical, they initially say your files have been locked, request for that you pay and then threaten you with removing files permanently if you don’t pay. While hackers might be right when they say that file decryption is impossible without their help, giving into the requests is not suggested. Even after you pay, it is doubtful that hackers will feel a sense of obligation to help you. Furthermore, the cyber crooks may target you specifically in their future malware attack, knowing that you are inclined to give into the requests.

Instead of complying with the requests, try to remember if your files are stored somewhere but you just can’t remember. We suggest you store all of your encrypted files somewhere, for when or if malicious software specialists develop a free decryptor. Erase Echelon stealer malware as quickly as possible, no matter what you opt to to do.

We hope this will serve as a lesson on why you need to begin regularly backing up your files. There is always a possibility that you could lose your files, so having backup is necessary. There is a variety of backup options available, some more expensive than others but if your files are precious to you it’s worth investing in one.

Echelon stealer malware elimination

Manual elimination is probably not for you. Acquire anti-malware to clean your system, instead. The ransomware may be preventing you from launching the anti-malware program successfully, in which case you have to launch your computer in Safe Mode. As soon as your system boots in Safe Mode, scan your computer and terminate Echelon stealer malware once it is found. Keep in mind that malicious software removal program won’t help restore your files, it will only remove ransomware for you.

Download Removal Toolto remove Echelon stealer malware

Learn how to remove Echelon stealer malware from your computer

• Step 1. Remove Echelon stealer malware using Safe Mode with Networking.
• Step 2. Remove Echelon stealer malware using System Restore
• Step 3. Recover your data

Step 1. Remove Echelon stealer malware using Safe Mode with Networking.

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.
• b) Step 2. Remove Echelon stealer malware.

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 Echelon stealer malware.

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 Echelon stealer malware 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.