Remove GNS ransomware

About GNS ransomware

GNS ransomware is categorized as ransomware that locks files. Due to how ransomware acts, it’s very dangerous to catch the infection. File encryption will be launched soon after you open the file that has been contaminated. Most frequently, it aims to lock files such as photos, videos, documents, essentially everything that is important to people. Once files are encrypted, you will not be able to open them unless they are decrypted with a special decryption software, which is in the hands of criminals responsible for this ransomware. All hope isn’t lost, however, as researchers specializing in malware could release a free decryptor at some point. We can’t be sure a decryptor will be released but that is your best option if backup has not been made.

You’ll see a ransom note either on the desktop or in folders that contain files which have been encrypted. The note you will find should explain what happened to your files and how much you should pay to get them back. Our next statement shouldn’t surprise you but it isn’t encouraged to pay the criminals anything. It’s not that hard to imagine criminals taking your money while not providing anything in return. They may guarantee to send you a decryption application but what guarantee is there that they keep that promise. If you do not have backup, using the demanded money to purchase it may be wiser. If files have been backed up, don’t worry about file loss, just remove GNS ransomware.

Download Removal Toolto remove GNS ransomware

We will explain the distribution methods more thoroughly later on but the short version is that you probably fell for a fake update or opened a dangerous spam email. Those two methods are behind most ransomware infections.

How does ransomware spread

Despite the fact that you could get the infection in many ways, you likely obtained it via spam email or false update. If you recall opening a weird email attachment, we recommend you be more cautious. If you get an email from an unfamiliar sender, carefully check the contents before you open the attachment. Oftentimes, well-known company names are used since that would give a sense of security to people. For example, senders pretend to be from Amazon or eBay, with the email saying that strange purchases are being made by your account. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to examine whether the sender is actually who they say they are. You just need to see if the email address matches any actual ones used by the company. You’re also recommended to scan the added file with a malicious software scanner just to be sure that it won’t harm your computer.

If it wasn’t spam email, bogus software updates could be accountable. Alerts promoting fake program updates are generally encountered when you visit suspicious websites. In some cases, you may encounter those update offers in ad or banner form and it can appear rather credible to those who encounter them for the first time. For anyone that know how alerts about updates look, however, this will look suspicious immediately. You ought to never download updates or programs from questionable sources, ads being on top of that list. When a program requires an update, you would be alerted via the program itself, or updates may be automatic.

What does this malware do

You are probably well aware of what happened to your files. File encryption might not be noticeable necessarily, and would have began quickly after you opened the infected file. All locked files will be marked with a strange extension, so it will be clear which files have been affected. Files have been locked using a complex encryption algorithm so trying to open them is no use. If you check your desktop or folders containing locked files, you’ll see a ransom note, which ought to contain information on what you can do about your files. If it isn’t your first time encountering ransomware, you’ll see a certain pattern in ransom notes, hackers will initially try to scare you into thinking your sole choice is to pay and then threaten with file removal if you refuse. Giving into the requests is not the best idea, even if hackers have the decryption tool. You that you would be trusting the people who locked your files in the first place to help you. Criminals may take into consideration that you paid and target you again, expecting you to pay a second time.

It is possible you might have uploaded at least some of your critical files somewhere, so try to remember if that could be the case. In case malicious software specialists are able to release a free decryption tool in the future, backup all your encrypted files. It is essential to uninstall GNS ransomware from your computer as soon as possible, whatever the case may be.

Having copies of your files is very important, so begin routine backups. There is always a risk that you might lose your files, so having backup is necessary. Backup prices vary depending in which backup option you choose, but the investment is certainly worth it if you have files you want to safekeep.

GNS ransomware removal

If you aren’t sure about what you have to do, manual removal isn’t the option you should pick. To delete the malware use malicious software removal program, unless you want to further harm your computer. You may need to load your system in Safe Mode in order to successfully run the malware removal program. As soon as your device loads in Safe Mode, scan your system and uninstall GNS ransomware once it’s detected. Malware removal program won’t help you with file decryption, however.

Download Removal Toolto remove GNS ransomware

Learn how to remove GNS ransomware from your computer

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

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

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