Remove .IPM ransomware

About this malware

.IPM ransomware ransomware is a truly dangerous infection because it’ll lock files. Ransomware is regarded as a high-level infection, which might lead to highly serious consequences. When the ransomware is initiated, it locates specific types of files to encrypt. Files that users value the most, such as photos and documents, will become targets. The key you need to unlock your files is in the hands of cyber crooks who were the ones who developed/spread this malware. There is some good news because the ransomware is sometimes cracked by malicious software researchers, and a free decryptor may be developed. If backup is not a possibility to you, waiting for that free decryption tool is probably your only option.
Download Removal Toolto remove .IPM ransomware

On your desktop or in folders with encrypted files, you will find a ransom note. The note should explain what happened to your files and how much you should pay to get them back. While we cannot say what you should do as we’re talking about your files but we wouldn’t recommend paying for a decryptor. A much more likely scenario is crooks taking your money while not giving anything in exchange. It is highly likely your money would go towards creating future malware. Consider using that money to purchase backup. Simply terminate .IPM ransomware if you had created copies of your files.

It’s very likely that you opened a dangerous email or fell for a fake update. Such methods are favored by hackers since they don’t need advanced ability.

Ransomware distribution methods

You can get infected in a couple of different ways, but as we have mentioned previously, spam email and false updates are probably the way you got the contamination. Because of how frequent spam campaigns are, you have to become familiar with what dangerous spam look like. Always attentively check the email before you open the attached file. Usually, known company names are used as it would lower users’ guard. For example, senders pretend to be from Amazon or eBay, with the email saying that strange purchases are being made by your account. If the sender is actually who they say they are, it won’t be hard to check. Simply locate a list of email addresses used by the company and see if your sender’s is among them. It would also be a good idea to scan the file attachment with a malware scanner to ensure it is safe.

If you don’t remember opening spam emails, false program updates could have been used to infect. False notifications for updates appear on various web pages all the time, continually requesting you to install something. Those bogus update offers are also frequently pushed through adverts and banners. Nevertheless, because those notifications and adverts appear quite false, users familiar with how updates work will not fall for it. You should never download updates or programs from sources like ads. When software needs an update, you’ll be notified by the application itself or it’ll happen without you needing to do anything.

How does ransomware behave

Needless to say ransomware encrypted your files. Soon after the malicious file was opened, the ransomware started the encryption process, likely unknown to you. You will see that all affected files have an unusual extension added to them. Because of the powerful encryption algorithm used, you won’t be able to open the encrypted files so easily. A ransom note should also be visible and it should explain what happened to your files, and what should be done in order to restore them. Generally, ransom notes follow the same design, they first say your files have been locked, request for that you pay and then threaten to eliminate files for good if you don’t pay. Paying the ransom is not the recommended option, even if that’s the only way to restore files. Even after you make a payment, we doubt that hackers will feel obligated to aid you. Criminals might take into consideration that you paid and target you again specifically, expecting you to pay again.

Instead of paying, try to recall if you’ve stored files somewhere but have just forgotten. In case a free decryptor is released in the future, keep all of your locked files somewhere safe. In any case, you have to erase .IPM ransomware from your system.

We expect this experience will be a lesson, and you will do regular backups. You may end up in a similar situation again which may result in file loss. Backup prices differ based on in which backup option you pick, but the purchase is definitely worth it if you have files you want to guard.

.IPM ransomware removal

We should say that if you were looking for information about what happened to your files, you ought to not try manual elimination. You ought to opt for malicious software removal program for this purpose. If you are having trouble launching the software, attempt again after rebooting your device in Safe Mode. You should not come across issues when your run the software, so you could successfully remove .IPM ransomware. Erasing the malware will not decrypt files, however.

Download Removal Toolto remove .IPM ransomware

Learn how to remove .IPM ransomware from your computer

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

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

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