Malware

0 Comment

Is this a serious ransomware

Sguard ransomware will encrypt your data and request that you pay for their decryption tool. Ransomware is classified as highly damaging malicious software due to it locking files and easy infection. Specific file types will be locked immediately after the ransomware launches. Files that users value the most, such as photos and documents, will become targets. Unfortunately, you will have to get a special key in order to unlock files, which the hackers behind this malware will attempt to sell you. We ought to note that people researching malware sometimes release free decryption applications, if they’re able to crack the ransomware. It’s not certain if or when a decryptor will be created but that is your best option if backup is not a choice for you.

If you haven’t already noticed it, a ransom note ought to be available on your desktop or among encrypted files in folders. If it has not been clear enough, the note will explain that your files have been encrypted, and offer a decryption program for a price. While it might be the only way to restore your files, giving into the demands isn’t a great idea. It isn’t an impossible for criminals to just take the money and not help you. Moreover, the money you give them will go towards future criminal activity, which you might become victim of again. Therefore, buying backup with that money would be a wiser idea. If files have been backed up, you do not need to worry about file loss and can just eliminate Sguard ransomware.

Download Removal Toolto remove Sguard ransomware

In the following section, we will discuss how the malware managed to get into your system, but in short, you likely encountered it in spam emails and false updates. Those two methods are behind a lot ransomware infections.

Ransomware spread ways

You likely got the ransomware through spam email or false software updates. Because of how frequent spam campaigns are, you need to become familiar with what dangerous spam look like. If you get an email from an unknown sender, you need to cautiously check the contents before you open the attachment. Senders of malicious spam often pretend to be from known companies so that users lower their guard and open emails without thinking about it. For example, senders claim to be from Amazon or eBay, with the email saying that a receipt for a new purchase has been added as an attachment. But, it is easy to affirm this. Look up the company the sender says to be from, check their used email addresses and see if your sender is real. You could also want to scan the attachment with some type of malicious software scanner.

Another typical method is fake updates. Often, you will see the bogus updates on high-risk sites. Those fake update offers are also often promoted via advertisements and banners. For those familiar with how updates are generally suggested, however, this will cause immediate suspicion. You should never download anything from ads, because you are you’re risking damaging your device for no reason. Whenever software needs an update, you’ll be notified by the program itself or it will happen automatically.

What does ransomware do

As is probably clear by now, some of your files have been encrypted. As soon as the infected file was opened, the encryption process, which you wouldn’t necessarily see, began. Affected files will have a file extension added to them, which will help you quickly see which files have been locked. Because of the strong encryption algorithm used, you won’t be able to open the locked files so easily. A ransom note ought to also be visible and it should clarify what happened to your files, and what should be done so as to restore them. The ransom notes generally tend to threaten users with removed files and strongly encourage victims to buy the offered decryptor. While hackers might be right in saying that file decryption without a decryptor isn’t possible, giving into the demands isn’t recommended. Relying on people accountable for encrypting your files to keep their word isn’t exactly the wisest decision. Furthermore, the crooks could target you particularly in their future malware attacks, knowing that you are willing to pay.

Before you even consider paying, check if you have uploaded some of your files anywhere. Or you can backup your encrypted files and hope this is one of those cases when malware researchers are able to release free decryptors. In any case, you will need to uninstall Sguard ransomware from your device.

No matter if you are able to recover files this time, you need to begin backing up your files on a regular basis from now on. You might endanger your files again otherwise. There are various backup options available, some more pricey than others but if your files are valuable to you it’s worth purchasing one.

How to eliminate Sguard ransomware

Manually trying to remove the infection is not a great idea if you infected your device in the first place. Malware removal program should be used to get rid of the ransomware. Occasionally, users have to load their computers in Safe Mode so as to launch anti-malware program successfully. As soon as your system has been booted in Safe Mode, scan your system with malicious software removal and eliminate Sguard ransomware. You ought to bear in mind that anti-malware program cannot help you with files, it will only remove malware for you.

Download Removal Toolto remove Sguard ransomware

Learn how to remove Sguard ransomware from your computer

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

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP
  1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK. win-xp-restart Remove Sguard ransomware
  2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
  3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking win-xp-safe-mode Remove Sguard ransomware
For Windows 8/10 users
  1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart. win-10-restart Remove Sguard ransomware
  2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. win-10-options Remove Sguard ransomware
  3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking. win-10-boot-menu Remove Sguard ransomware

b) Step 2. Remove Sguard 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 Sguard ransomware using System Restore

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP
  1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK. win-xp-restart Remove Sguard ransomware
  2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt. win-xp-safe-mode Remove Sguard ransomware
For Windows 8/10 users
  1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart. win-10-restart Remove Sguard ransomware
  2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. win-10-options Remove Sguard ransomware
  3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. win-10-boot-menu Remove Sguard ransomware

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. command-promt-restore Remove Sguard ransomware
  3. A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again. windows-restore-point Remove Sguard ransomware
  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

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. data-recovery-pro Remove Sguard ransomware
  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. windows-previous-version Remove Sguard ransomware
  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. shadow-explorer Remove Sguard ransomware
  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.

add a comment