Remove Erica ransomware

Is this a dangerous ransomware

Erica ransomware is categorized as ransomware that locks data. Generally, ransomware is regarded as a highly dangerous threat because of the consequences it’ll bring. As soon as the ransomware is initiated, it locates specific types of files to lock. Most frequently, it targets files such as photos, videos, documents, virtually all files users would be inclined to pay for. Files can’t be opened so easily, you will have to decrypt them using a specialized key, which is in the hands of the crooks behind this malware. The good news is that ransomware may be cracked by people specializing in malicious software, and a free decryptor might be released. It’s not certain if or when a decryptor will be released but that may be your only option if you do not have backup.

On your desktop or in folders containing encrypted files, a ransom note will be placed. The cyber criminals behind this ransomware will offer you to buy a decryption application, explaining that it’s the only way to get files back. It’s not encouraged interacting with crooks, for a couple of reasons. It is not that hard to imagine cyber crooks simply taking your money while not providing anything in return. It’s highly likely your money would go towards creating future malware. We should warn you, if you do not wish to be put in this kind of situation again, you have to have reliable backup to guard your files. Just erase Erica ransomware if you had taken the time to make backup.

Download Removal Toolto remove Erica ransomware

If you continue reading, we will explain how the threat managed to get into your PC, but in short, you probably happen upon it in spam emails and fake updates. These are the most often used ransomware spread methods.

Ransomware spread methods

Spam emails and bogus updates are probably how you got ransomware, despite the fact that there are other distribution ways. If you opened an attachment that came attached to a spam email, you have to be more careful. Always check the email carefully before you open the attached file. Senders of dangerous spam oftentimes pretend to be from well-known companies to establish trust and make people lower their guard. For example, senders pretend to be from Amazon or eBay, with the email saying that questionable behavior was noticed on your account. However, you can easily check whether the sender is who they claim they are. Check the sender’s email address, and whether it looks real or not check that it actually is used by the company they say to represent. What we also recommend you use is a credible utility to scan the attached file before you open it.

If you do not recall opening spam emails, you may have gotten the ransomware via false program updates. Often, you will encounter such bogus program updates on suspicious web pages. Sometimes, when those fake update offers pop up in advertisement or banner form, they look real. It is unlikely anyone familiar with how updates work will ever engage with them, however. Because downloading anything from advertisements is just asking for trouble, be cautious to stick to legitimate download sources. Keep in mind that if software has to be updated, the program will either update by itself or notify you through the program, and certainly not through your browser.

How does this malware behave

If you are wondering what happened to your files, they were encrypted. File encryption might not be necessarily noticeable, and would have began quickly after the contaminated file was opened. Files that were affected will now have an extension, which will help you differentiate affected files. There is no use in attempting to open affected files as a powerful encryption algorithm was used for their encryption. If you check your desktop or folders containing locked files, a ransom note should appear, which ought to contain information on what you could do about your files. The ransom notes typically threaten users with removed files and encourage victims to pay the ransom. While criminals might be correct in saying that file decryption without a decryption tool isn’t possible, giving into the demands is not something many professionals will suggest. It is not likely that the people to blame for your file encryption will feel obligation to unlock them after you make the payment. Criminals may also remember that you paid and target you again particularly, expecting you to pay a second time.

There’s a possibility that you could have stored at least some of your important files somewhere, so try to recall if that is the case. Alternatively you can backup files that have been locked and hope this is one of those cases when malicious software specialists release free decryption utilities. It’s essential to erase Erica ransomware from your computer as quickly as possible, whatever the case might be.

We expect this experience will become a lesson, and you will start frequently backing up your files. It’s not impossible for you to end up in the same situation again, so if you don’t want to jeopardize your files again, backing up your files is important. So as to keep your files safe, you will need to invest in backup, and there are a couple of options available, some more expensive than others.

Erica ransomware removal

If you aren’t very familiar with computers, attempting manual removal may end in disaster. You should opt for malware removal program to erase the infection. The infection might prevent you from running the malware removal program successfully, in which case just reboot your device in Safe Mode. You ought to be able to successfully erase Erica ransomware when anti-malware program is launched in Safe Mode. However unfortunate it might be, malware removal program will not help you restore files as that isn’t its purpose.

Download Removal Toolto remove Erica ransomware

Learn how to remove Erica ransomware from your computer

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

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

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