Remove Sphinx ransomware

About this ransomware

Sphinx ransomware ransomware is a truly harmful threat as it will encrypt files. Because of the easy infection and its behavior, ransomware is classified as one of the most harmful malicious software out there. File encryption will be immediately launched as soon as the contaminated file is opened. Photos, videos and documents are among the most targeted files due to their value to users. Files cannot be opened so easily, they will have to be decrypted using a specialized key, which is in the possession of the crooks who encrypted your files in the first place. The good news is that ransomware is occasionally cracked by people specializing in malicious software, and a free decryption tool might be released. If you don’t remember ever making copies of your files and do not intend to give into the cyber criminals’ demands, that free decryption program might be your best choice.

Soon after you become aware of the situation, you’ll find a ransom note. The criminals behind this ransomware will offer you a decryption program, explaining that it is the only way to get files back. Our next statement will not surprise you but engaging with criminals over anything isn’t suggested. Often, criminals take the money but don’t send a decryptor. What is preventing them from doing just that. To guarantee you’re never in this type of situation again, invest into backup. Simply remove Sphinx ransomware if you had made copies of your files.

Download Removal Toolto remove Sphinx ransomware

If you recently opened a weird email attachment or downloaded some kind of update, that is how it may have gotten into your PC. Such methods are rather commonly used by hackers because superior ability is not required.

Ransomware distribution methods

You could get infected in a variety of ways, but as we’ve mentioned above, spam email and bogus updates are likely how you got the infection. You need to familiarize yourself with how to spot harmful spam emails, if you believe you infected your computer by opening a file attached to a spam email. Before you open the attached file, you have to attentively check the email. In order to make you lower your guard, crooks will use known company names in the email. For example, senders claim to be from Amazon or eBay, with the email saying that a receipt for a purchase has been added as an attachment. Nevertheless, these kinds of emails are easy to check. Look at the sender’s email address, and however real it may see initially, check that it really belongs to the company they say to represent. It would also be suggested to scan the added file with a malicious software scanner to make sure it is safe.

Malicious program updates are another way to get the threat. Often, you’ll see such fake program updates on suspicious sites. For some users, when those fake update offers pop up through adverts or banners, they look more real. Although no person familiar with how updates work will ever engage with them as they’ll be clearly false. You ought to never use advertisements as download sources, because you are needlessly jeopardizing your computer. If you’ve set automatic updates, applications will update automatically, but if manual update is needed, you will be alerted via the software itself.

What does ransomware do

What happened was ransomware encrypted some of your files. Soon after you opened the malicious file, the ransomware started the encryption process, likely unbeknown to you. All encrypted files will have a weird extension, so you’ll know which files were affected. File encryption has been carried out using a complex encryption algorithm so trying to open them is no use. Information about how your files could be restored will be given in the ransom note. Ransomware notes are usually all the same, they inform the victim about file encryption and threaten them with removing files if money is not paid. While crooks may be right in saying that file decryption is impossible without their help, giving into the requests is not something many professionals will suggest. It is unlikely that the people responsible for locking your files will feel any obligation to unlock them after you make the payment. If you make a payment once, you might be willing to pay again, or that’s what crooks are likely to think.

You might’ve stored some of your files somewhere, so try to remember before even considering paying. We advise you backup all of your locked files, for when or if malicious software specialists make a free decryptor. Whatever it is you’ve decided to do, erase Sphinx ransomware immediately.

We hope you’ll take this unfortunate experience as a lesson and begin regularly backing up your files. It isn’t impossible for you to end up in the same situation again, so if you do not want to endanger your files again, backup is important. Quite a few backup options are available, and they are quite worth the purchase if you do not want to lose your files.

Sphinx ransomware removal

Attempting manual removal could end in a more damaged computer so we don’t encourage attempting it. Instead, allow malicious software removal program to deal with the threat. The malware may be preventing you from launching the anti-malware program successfully, in which case you need to reboot your computer in Safe Mode. As soon as your system boots in Safe Mode, scan your computer and erase Sphinx ransomware once it is detected. Malware elimination won’t recover files, however.

Download Removal Toolto remove Sphinx ransomware

Learn how to remove Sphinx ransomware from your computer

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

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

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