Remove SIGMA ransomware

Is file-encrypting malicious software really that harmful

SIGMA ransomware could be the ransomware that encrypted your files. Commonly, ransomware uses spam emails and malicious downloads to spread itself, and one of the two probably brought about the contamination on your machine. Ransomware is considered to be one of the most damaging malware you could have as it encrypts data, and requests that you pay to get them back. If if you regularly backup your data, or if malicious program analysts make a free decryptor, file-recovery would not be difficult. You ought to be aware, however, that if those two options are not available, you can lose your data. By paying the ransom, you may not necessarily get your files back so bear that in mind if you are leaning towards paying. There are of cases when file-encoding malware makers just take the money and leave files encoded. Since paying is not a reliable file recovery choice, you need to just uninstall SIGMA ransomware.

Download Removal Toolto remove SIGMA ransomware

How does the file-encoding malware affect the system

Try to recall if you have recently opened a file attached to an email because it is likely you got the infection from there. Attaching a contaminated file to an email and sending it to hundreds or even thousands of users is all that needs to be done by malware makers in order to infect. The ransomware will be able to download onto the machine the moment the email attachment is opened. This is why users are urged not to open all email attachments they get. You can generally differentiate a malicious email from a safe one quite easily, you simply need to familiarize yourself with the signs. No matter how valid the email could seem, be cautious of senders who press you to download the attachment. In general, be careful as any email attachment that lands in your inbox might be malware. Downloads from non-legitimate pages are also a good way to contaminate your machine with file-encrypting malware. Avoid doubtful sites and rely only on credible ones, in order to dodge a ransomware risk.

By the time you see the ransomware, it will be too late as it will have encrypted your data. Images, documents and videos will become targets, so expect to not be able to open them. After encoding, a ransom note should become visible, if it does not open on its own, it should be placed in folders containing the encoded data. In exchange for data unlock, you are asked for money. Victims, however, tend to forget who they’re dealing with and do not know that trusting hackers to stick to their word is very unsafe. Thus, giving them money would not be the best idea. You getting the decoding application for which you have to pay, may not necessarily happen. Do not be surprised if you pay and get nothing in return, because really, what’s stopping hackers from simply taking your money. Had you had backup, you may just remove SIGMA ransomware and then recover the files. Whether you have backup or not, we encourage you abolish SIGMA ransomware.

How to uninstall SIGMA ransomware

You’re advised to obtain anti-malware software and have it terminate SIGMA ransomware for you. The process of manual SIGMA ransomware elimination might be too complex to do securely, so we do not advise it. We need to note, however, that the security software won’t decode your files, it will only delete SIGMA ransomware

Download Removal Toolto remove SIGMA ransomware

Learn how to remove SIGMA ransomware from your computer

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

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

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