Remove .hknet Files Ransomware

What type of threat are you dealing with

.hknet Files Ransomware is the type of malicious software that intends to lock your files, which would be why your files aren’t openable. This kind of malicious software is more widely referred to as ransomware. If you remember opening a spam email attachment, clicking on a weird advertisement or downloading from sources that are not exactly trustworthy, that is how you may have gotten the contamination. This will be explored more in a further paragraph. A file-encrypting malware infection may bring about very serious consequences, so it’s essential to know how it spreads. If you are unfamiliar with what file-encrypting malware is, you could be especially surprised to find locked files. When the encoding process is complete, you’ll get a ransom note, which will explain that a payment is needed to get a decryption utility. It is quite unlikely that a decryption software will be sent to you after you pay, because you’re dealing with crooks, who will not feel responsible to help you. We are more inclined to believe that you will be ignored after making the payment. By giving into the demands, you’d also be supporting an industry that does hundreds of millions worth of damages yearly. Sometimes, malicious software specialists are able to crack the ransomware, which might mean that a free decryption tool might be available. Research that before giving into the demands even crosses your mind. If you did take care to backup your files, just eliminate .hknet Files Ransomware and carry on to data recovery.

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How is ransomware spread

Your system may have gotten infected in various ways, which we will discuss in more detail. It is not uncommon for ransomware to use more complex distribution methods, although it uses simple ones more commonly. Spam email and malware downloads are the popular methods among low-level ransomware creators/spreaders as they don’t require much skill. You possibly picked up the infection when you opened an email attachment that was contaminated with the malware. The ransomware infected file was added to an email that may be composed kind of authentically, and sent to all potential victims, whose email addresses they have in their database. Despite the fact that those emails tend to be quite obvious to those who have dealt with them before, users with little experience in such matters might not necessarily realize what is going on. Certain signs will give it away, such as grammar mistakes and weird email addressees. Users tend to let their guard if they are familiar with the sender, so hackers could pretend to be from known companies like eBay. Even if you think you’re familiar with the sender, always check whether the email address is right. Lack of your name in the greeting may also hint at what you’re dealing with. Senders whose attachments are valuable enough to be opened would not include common greetings like User, Customer, Sir/Madam, as they would know your name. For instance, if Amazon sends you an email, they will have automatically inserted your name if you’re a customer of theirs.

To summarize, before you rush to open files attached to emails, make sure the sender is who they insist they are and the attachment won’t cause a disaster. Be careful and not click on ads when visiting certain, dubious pages. If you’re not careful, ransomware may be authorized to get into your device. Whatever the advert is endorsing, interacting with it may be dangerous, so ignore it. And stop risking your machine by using download harmful download sources. If you are downloading via torrents, the least you could do is read what other users are saying before you download something. Program vulnerabilities could also be used for malware to get in. Which is why it is so important that you keep your programs updated. Software vendors release patches regularly, all you have to do is permit them to install.

How does file-encrypting malware behave

The encryption process will begin as soon as you. Expect to find documents, photos and videos to become targets because those files are very likely to be essential to you. When the files are found, the file-encrypting malware will employ a powerful encryption algorithm to lock them. The ones that have been locked will now contain an unfamiliar file extension. A ransom note ought to also appear, in which criminals will demand that you get their decryptor. The amount you are asked depends on the ransomware, some request as little as $50, while others as much as a $1000, in digital currency. While generally, malicious software investigators think paying to be a bad idea, it’s your choice to make. You could have other file recovery means available, thus you need to research them before you make any decisions. A decryptor that would not cost anything could be available, if someone specializing in malicious software analysis was able to crack the ransomware. It could also be that you have backed up your data somewhere but not recall it. And if the ransomware did not touch the Shadow copies of your files, you should still be able to restore them with the Shadow Explorer application. We also hope you have learned your lesson and have acquired some type of backup. If you just realized that you did make backup prior to the infection occurring, proceed to data recovery after you delete .hknet Files Ransomware.

.hknet Files Ransomware removal

Keep in mind that trying to get rid of the threat yourself is not suggested. A single error might do permanent damage to your computer. Instead, an anti-malware software should be employed to erase the threat. Because those programs are created to uninstall .hknet Files Ransomware and other infections, there shouldn’t be any issues with the process. Unfortunately, the tool isn’t capable of decrypting files. This means you will need to find out how to recover files yourself.

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Learn how to remove .hknet Files Ransomware from your computer

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

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

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