Remove Gw3w ransomware

About this threat

Gw3w ransomware file-encoding malware, also known as ransomware, will encode your data. It really depends on which ransomware is to blame, but you may end up permanently losing your data. It is rather easy to get contaminated, which only adds to why it is so dangerous. If your system is infected, it is very possible you opened a spam email attachment, clicked on a malicious ad or fell for a fake download. As soon as it’s up and running, it will begin encoding your files, and once the process is finished, it will ask that you pay money to get a decryptor, which ought to in theory recover your files. The money you are demanded to pay will probably differ depending on what data encrypting malware you have, but ought to range from $50 to possibly thousands of dollars. Whatever amount is asked of you, consider the situation carefully before you do. Do not forget you are dealing with crooks who can simply take your money giving nothing in exchange. It would not be shocking if you’re left with undecrypted files, and there would be many more like you. It would be a better idea to invest that money, or some part of it, into trustworthy backup instead of giving into the demands. We are sure you can find an option that suits your needs as there are plenty to pick from. And if by chance you had backed up your files before the infection took place, simply erase Gw3w ransomware and then proceed to data restoration. This isn’t the last time you’ll get infected with some kind of malware, so you need to prepare. In order to guard a device, one must always be on the lookout for possible threats, becoming informed about how to avoid them.

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File encrypting malicious program spread methods

The majority of file encrypting malicious program use rather primitive distribution methods, which include added corrupted files to emails and showing dangerous advertisements. Sometimes, however, more elaborate methods might be used.

If you remember downloading a strange attachment from a seemingly legitimate email in the spam folder, that could be how the ransomware managed to get in. You open the email, download and open the attachment and the file encrypting malware is now able to start the encoding process. Since those emails often use sensitive topics, like money, plenty of users open them without even considering the results. The use of basic greetings (Dear Customer/Member), strong pressure to open the file attached, and obvious mistakes in grammar are what you should be caution of when dealing with emails that contain files. Your name would be inserted into the email automatically if the sender was from a company whose email you ought to open. Do not be shocked to see big company names (Amazon, eBay, PayPal) be used, as that would make users trust the email much more. If you pressed on a dubious advertisement or downloaded files from suspicious sites, that’s also how the infection could have managed to get in. Certain websites might be hosting infected ads, which if engaged with could cause dangerous downloads. And stick to valid download sources as much as possible, because otherwise you’re putting your device in jeopardy. You should never download anything from ads, as they aren’t good sources. If a program was in need of an update, it would notify you via the program itself, and not through your browser, and generally they update themselves anyway.

What happened to your files?

If you contaminate your system, you could be facing permanently locked files, and that makes a data encoding malware so malicious. The process of encoding your data take a very short time, so you might not even notice it. Once your files have been encoded by this ransomware, you’ll see that all affected ones have a file extension. Strong encryption algorithms will be used to lock your data, which makes decrypting files for free very hard or even impossible. When the encryption process is finished, a ransom note will appear, with instructions on how to proceed. You will be offered to buy a decryption program, but that isn’t the recommended choice. Don’t forget you are dealing with hackers, and they may simply take your money giving you nothing in exchange. You would also be supporting their, in addition to potentially losing your money. And, people will increasingly become interested in the business which is believed to have earned $1 billion in 2016. Think about buying trustworthy backup instead. If this kind of situation reoccurred, you could just ignore it without worrying about losing your data. Simply ignore the requests and remove Gw3w ransomware. These types infections can be avoided, if you know how they spread, so try to familiarize with its distribution ways, at least the basics.

Gw3w ransomware removal

Keep in mind that malicious program removal software will be needed to completely terminate the ransomware. You may have chosen to eliminate Gw3w ransomware manually but you could end up bringing about further damage, which it isn’t recommended. A better choice would be employing reliable removal software to do it for you. The utility would scan your device and if the threat is still present, it will remove Gw3w ransomware. So that you know where to start, we have prepared instructions below this article to help you. The utility isn’t, however, capable of recovering your data, it’ll only erase the threat for you. We should mention, however, that in some cases, malware researchers develop free decryptors, if the file encoding malicious program is decryptable.

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Learn how to remove Gw3w ransomware from your computer

• Step 1. Remove Gw3w ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.
• Step 2. Remove Gw3w ransomware using System Restore
• Step 3. Recover your data

Step 1. Remove Gw3w ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.
• b) Step 2. Remove Gw3w 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 Gw3w 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 Gw3w 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.