Remove HCK ransomware

About this malware

HCK ransomware is categorized as file-encrypting ransomware. Because of how easily the threat is caught, ransomware is classified as one of the most harmful malicious software out there. File encryption will be instantly launched as soon as the contaminated file is opened. The most commonly encrypted files are photos, videos and documents because of how valuable they are likely to be to you. A decryption key is required to decode the files but only the criminals are to blame for this ransomware have it. Do bear in mind, however that malicious software researchers sometimes release free decryptors, if they can crack the ransomware. This might be your sole option if backup isn’t available.

Among the files that have been encrypted or on your desktop, a ransom note will be placed. The note will explain that files have been encrypted and the sole way of getting them back is to buy a decryption application. While it may be the only way to get your files back, giving into the demands isn’t the wisest plan. In a lot of cases, criminals take the money but do not send a decryption tool. Your money would go towards creating more malicious software. Consider investing into backup. If backup is an option for you, you may just terminate HCK ransomware and recover files.

Bogus updates and spam emails were probably used to distribute the ransomware. Those two methods are the cause of most ransomware contaminations.

Download Removal Toolto remove HCK ransomware

How does ransomware spread

Spam emails and fake updates are probably how you got ransomware, despite the fact that there are other spread ways. Become familiar with how to identify infected spam emails, if you got the ransomware from emails. If you get an email from an unexpected sender, carefully check the contents before opening the added file. It’s also not strange to see criminals pretending to be from known companies, as a recognizable name would make users less careful. Amazon could be displayed as the sender, for example, and that they’re emailing you because strange behavior was noticed on the account or that a purchase was made. Whether it is Amazon or some other company, you should be able to easily check whether it’s true or not. 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. We also recommend you to scan the added file with some type of malicious software scanner.

Another common method is fake updates. False alerts for updates generally appear when you visit suspicious websites, continually pestering you into installing updates. You could also see them in advertisement or banner form and looking pretty legitimate. We really doubt anyone who knows how updates are offered will ever fall for this trick, however. If you do not wish your system to get an infection regularly, never download anything from suspicious sources. When software has to be updated, the program will alert you itself or it’ll happen automatically.

What does ransomware do

Ransomware has locked your files, which is why you can’t open then. When the contaminated file was opened, the ransomware launched its file encryption process, which you might not have necessarily noticed. All affected files will have a weird extension, so it’ll be clear which files were affected. Files have been locked via a complicated encryption algorithm so do not waste your time attempting to open them. Information about how your files could be restored will be provided in the ransom note. If you’ve encountered ransomware before, you will see a certain pattern in ransom notes, criminals will intimidate you to believe your only choice is to pay and then threaten with file deletion if you do not give in. Despite the fact that cyber crooks hold they key for restoring your files, giving into the demands isn’t a suggested option. Even after you pay, it’s not likely that crooks will feel obligated to assist you. The same criminals might make you a target specifically next time because they may believe if you gave into the demands once, you may do it again.

You might have stored some of your files somewhere, so try to recall before you even consider paying. Or you could backup your encrypted files and hope this is one of those cases when malicious software researchers develop free decryption tools. Whatever it is you wish to do, eliminate HCK ransomware as soon as possible.

Backups ought to be made regularly, so hopefully you will start doing that. If you do not take the time to make backups, you may end up in the same situation again. Backup prices differ based on in which backup option you opt for, but the purchase is definitely worth it if you have files you don’t wish to lose.

HCK ransomware removal

Manually attempting to remove the infection is not the best idea if you had to look for an explanation explaining what happened to your device. Use anti-malware program to deal with the malware, because otherwise you’re risking further harming to your system. You might have issue opening the program, in which case you ought to, try again after loading your system in Safe Mode. Once your computer is in in Safe Mode, scan your system with anti-malware and remove HCK ransomware. However unfortunate it may be, you will not be able to restore files with malware removal program as it isn’t capable of doing that.

Download Removal Toolto remove HCK ransomware

Learn how to remove HCK ransomware from your computer

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

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

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