Remove .FLAMINGO Files Ransomware

What type of infection are you dealing with

.FLAMINGO Files Ransomware is a kind of file-encrypting malware, which is why if you have it, you’re unable to open your files. Ransomware is another word for this kind of malicious software, and it might be more familiar to you. If you remember opening a spam email attachment, clicking on an advert when visiting questionable websites or downloading from suspicious sources, that’s how you may have permitted the infection to enter your system. If you’re searching for methods on how to prevent a threat, continue reading this article. A file-encrypting malware infection can lead to very serious consequences, so you have to be aware of how you could prevent it from getting in. It can be particularly surprising to find your files locked if you’ve never happened upon ransomware before, and you have no idea what it is. When the encoding process is finished, you will notice a ransom message, which will explain that you have to pay a certain amount of money to get a decryptor. If you have chosen to comply with the demands, consider the fact that what you are dealing with is hackers who are unlikely to feel any responsibility to help you after they get your money. The hackers are likely to just ignore you after you make the payment, and we doubt they’ll even try to assist you. We’d also like to point out that the money will probably finance more malware. In some cases, malware researchers are able to crack the ransomware, and may release a free decryption software. Before you even consider paying, try the alternatives first. In case backup was made prior to contamination, after you eliminate .FLAMINGO Files Ransomware there should be no issues when it comes to recovering files.

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How to avoid a ransomware infection

This section will discuss how your system got the infection and whether the infection could be avoided in the future. Ransomware typically sticks to simple methods, but that doesn’t mean more sophisticated ones are not employed at all. Many ransomware creators/distributors stick to sending emails with the infection as an attachment and hosting the ransomware on download sites, as those methods are pretty low-level. It is highly likely that your device got contaminated when you opened an email attachment. The ransomware infected file was attached to an email that was made to appear real, and sent to hundreds or even thousands of possible victims. It isn’t really that unexpected that people open these emails, if it is their first time running into it. You may note certain signs that an email could be harboring ransomware, such as grammar mistakes in the text, or the sender’s email address being completely random. Users tend to drop their guard down if they’re familiar with the sender, so criminals might feign to be from famous companies like eBay. Even if you think you know the sender, always check whether the email address is correct. Your name not used anywhere and particularly in the greeting may also signal what you’re dealing with. Senders who say to have some kind of business with you would know your name, thus would include it in the greeting, instead of a regular Sir/Madam or Customer. As an example, if you’re an Amazon user, the name you have provided them will be automatically put into any email you are sent.

If you want the shortened version of this section, always check sender’s identity before you open an attachment. It’s also not recommended to click on ads hosted on suspicious reputation sites. It would not be a surprise if by clicking on one you end up with something dangerous. Whatever the advert might be advertising, try not to click on it. Unregulated download sources may easily be hosting malicious items, which is why it is best if you stop using them. Downloading through torrents and such, are a risk, therefore at least read the comments to ensure that what you’re downloading is safe. Another contamination method is through program flaws, the malware might use those vulnerabilities to contaminate a device. You need to keep your software updated because of that. Whenever an update becomes available, install it.

What does it do

When you open the ransomware file on your computer, the ransomware will launch and scan for files in order to lock them. Since it has to have leverage over you, all files you hold valuable, such as media files, will become targets. Once the files are identified, they will be encrypted with a powerful encryption algorithm. A strange file extension added will help you figure out with files have been affected. The ransom note, which ought to pop up soon after the encryption process is complete, will then request payment from you to receive a decryptor. The requested amount varies from ransomware to ransomware, but will be somewhere between $50 and $1000, to be paid in some kind of digital currency. It is your decision to make whether to pay the ransom, but do think about why malware investigators don’t suggest that option. It is likely that you could accomplish data restoring via different ways, so look into them before anything else. It’s possible that researchers specializing in malware were able to crack the ransomware and release a free decryption software. It is also possible copies of your files are stored somewhere by you, you could simply not realize it. And if the Shadow copies of your files weren’t deleted, you ought to still be able to restore them with the program Shadow Explorer. We also hope you will be more vigilant in the future and have got some kind of backup. However, if you did make backup prior to the ransomware arriving, you will be able to restore files after you fully remove .FLAMINGO Files Ransomware.

Ways to eliminate .FLAMINGO Files Ransomware

If you’re not entirely sure with what you’re doing, manual elimination isn’t recommended. If you make a mistake, you could end up permanently harming your system. It would be much smarter to download a malware removal tool instead. Because those utilities are created to eliminate .FLAMINGO Files Ransomware and other infections, you shouldn’t run into any trouble. Your files will stay encrypted however, as the program can’t help you in that regard. File restoring will need to be performed by you.

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Learn how to remove .FLAMINGO Files Ransomware from your computer

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

Step 1. Remove .FLAMINGO Files Ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

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