Remove ShkolotaCrypt ransomware

About ShkolotaCrypt ransomware

ShkolotaCrypt ransomware will effect your computer very seriously as it will lock your files. Due to its harmful nature, it is very dangerous to have ransomware on the computer. Not all files end up being encrypted, as the ransomware looks for specific files. Typically, the encrypted files are photos, videos and documents as they are likely to be the most essential. Unfortunately, you’ll need to get a special key in order to unlock files, which the people behind this ransomware will offer you for a price. Don’t lose hope, however, as malware researchers may be able to create a free decryptor. If backup isn’t available and you have no other option, your best bet may be to wait for that free decryptor.

When the encryption process has been completed, if you look on your desktop or in folders containing files that have been encrypted, you ought to find a ransom note. It’s certain that cyber criminals behind this malware want to make as much money as possible, so you will be requested to pay for a decryption application if you want to be able to open your files ever again. Our next statement won’t shock you but engaging with hackers over anything isn’t recommended. It is possible for hackers to just take the money and not help you. That money will also go towards making future malicious software. We should warn you, if you do not wish to be put in this kind of situation again, you need to have trustworthy backup to guard your files. Simply remove ShkolotaCrypt ransomware if you had taken the time to make backup.

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If you recently opened a strange email attachment or downloaded some kind of update, that is how you could’ve infected your computer. Spam emails and fake updates are one of the most popular methods, which is why we are certain you obtained the malicious software via them.

How is ransomware spread

It’s pretty likely that you installed a bogus update or opened a file attached to a spam email, and that’s how the ransomware managed to get in. Because malicious spam campaigns are quite typical, you have to become familiar with what malicious spam look like. Always check the email carefully before you open the attached file. Malware distributors frequently pretend to be from familiar companies to establish trust and make people lower their guard. For example, they might use Amazon’s name, pretending to be emailing you with concerns about recent purchases. If the sender is who they say they are, it won’t be hard to check. Just locate a list of email addresses used by the company and see if your sender’s email address is in the list. It would also be a good idea to scan the file attachment with a some kind of malicious software scanner to ensure it is safe.

If it wasn’t spam email, false program updates might be responsible. Every now and then, when you visit suspicious web pages you may encounter fake update notifications, intrusively forcing you to install something. It’s also not uncommon for those bogus update notifications to pop up through advertisements or banners. It’s highly doubtful anyone familiar with how updates are offered will ever fall for this trick, however. If you don’t want your computer to get infected on a regular basis, never download anything from questionable sources. The program itself will alert you when an update is necessary, or updates may be automatic.

How does ransomware behave

You possibly already know what happened to your files. File encrypting probably happened without you knowing, right after the infected file was opened. An extension will be added to all files that have been encrypted. Trying to open those files will be of no use as they’ve been locked using a strong encryption algorithm. The ransom note, which ought to be put on folders that contain encrypted files, should explain what happened to your files and how you could restore them. All ransom notes seem basically the same, they initially explain that your files have been locked, ask for money and then threaten you with removing files for good if you don’t pay. It’s possible that crooks behind this ransomware have the only way to restore files but even if that is true, paying the ransom is not the recommended option. Even after you make a payment, it’s not likely that crooks will feel obligated to assist you. Crooks might take into account that you paid and target you again particularly, expecting you to pay again.

Before even considering paying, check your storage devices and online accounts to see if you have simply forgotten about them. Because malware researchers can sometimes release free decryption utilities, if one is not available now, back up your encrypted files for when/if it is. Whatever the case may be, you’ll have to delete ShkolotaCrypt ransomware from your system.

Backing up your files is essential so we hope you’ll start doing that. If you don’t take the time to make backups, you may end up in the same kind of situation again. Several backup options are available, and they are well worth the investment if you don’t want to lose your files.

ShkolotaCrypt ransomware elimination

Trying to manually remove the threat is not encouraged if you aren’t an advanced user. If you do not wish to harm your computer further, download anti-malware program. If you can’t run the malicious software removal program, boot your computer in Safe Mode. As soon as your device has been booted in Safe Mode, launch the anti-malware program, scan your system and erase ShkolotaCrypt ransomware. Alas, malicious software removal program will not capable of aiding with file decryption, it’ll simply just take care of erasing the infection.

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Learn how to remove ShkolotaCrypt ransomware from your computer

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

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

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