Remove STOLEN Ransomware

Is this a severe infection

STOLEN Ransomware is regarded as a severe threat, also known as ransomware or file-encrypting malware. It’s possible you have never encountered ransomware before, in which case, you might be in for a big shock. You won’t be able to open your files if they’ve been encoded by ransomware, which usually uses strong encryption algorithms. Ransomware is categorized as a highly dangerous threat since decrypting files isn’t always likely. You will be given the option of paying the ransom for a decryptor but many malware researchers do not recommend doing that. There are a lot of cases where files weren’t restored even after victims comply with the demands. What is preventing criminals from just taking your money, and not giving anything in exchange. In addition, by paying you would be financing the projects (more ransomware and malicious software) of these crooks. It is already supposed that file encoding malware costs millions of dollars in losses to businesses in 2017, and that’s an estimation only. And the more people give them money, the more of a profitable business ransomware becomes, and that kind of money is certain to lure in various crooks. You might be put into this kind of situation again sometime in the future, so investing the requested money into backup would be better because data loss would not be a possibility. If you had backup available, you may just uninstall STOLEN Ransomware and then recover data without being worried about losing them. If you didn’t know what file encrypting malicious software is, you may not know how it managed to infect your device, in which case you need to vigilantly read the below paragraph.
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STOLEN Ransomware spread methods

A data encoding malicious program is normally distribution via methods such as email attachments, malicious downloads and exploit kits. Since a lot of people are not careful about how they use their email or from where they download, data encoding malicious software distributors don’t have the necessity to use more sophisticated methods. Nevertheless, there are ransomware that use more sophisticated methods. All crooks need to do is attach an infected file to an email, write some type of text, and falsely state to be from a real company/organization. Users are more prone to opening money-related emails, thus those kinds of topics are often used. If crooks used a big company name such as Amazon, users might open the attachment without thinking if criminals simply say there’s been dubious activity in the account or a purchase was made and the receipt is added. You need to look out for certain signs when opening emails if you want a clean device. Firstly, if you aren’t familiar with the sender, check their identity before opening the attachment. If the sender turns out to be someone you know, don’t rush into opening the file, first carefully check the email address. Obvious grammar mistakes are also a sign. The way you are greeted might also be a clue, as legitimate companies whose email is important enough to open would include your name, instead of greetings like Dear Customer/Member. Vulnerabilities on your system Out-of-date programs could also be used to infect. A program comes with vulnerabilities that can be exploited by data encoding malicious software but they’re frequently fixed by vendors. Unfortunately, as shown by the WannaCry ransomware, not all users install updates, for one reason or another. You are encouraged to regularly update your software, whenever a patch becomes available. You may also select to install patches automatically.

What doesSTOLEN Ransomware do

When a file encrypting malware manages to get into your device, you’ll soon find your data encoded. If by chance you have not noticed until now, when you are cannot access files, you’ll realize that something is going on. All affected files will have a strange file extension, which can help users find out the data encrypting malicious software’s name. Unfortunately, it may not be possible to decode files if the ransomware used powerful encryption algorithms. You’ll be able to find a ransom note which will reveal that your data has been encrypted and to go about to restore them. If you believe the criminals, you will be able to restore files via their decryption utility, which will clearly not come for free. If the ransom amount is not clearly stated, you would have to use the given email address to contact the cyber criminals to see the amount, which could depend on the value of your files. We have discussed this before but, we don’t think paying the ransom is the greatest choice. Try every other likely option, before you even think about buying what they offer. It is also quite likely that you have just forgotten that you’ve backed up your files. A free decryption software could also be available. A free decryption software may be available, if someone was able to decrypt the file encrypting malware. Before you make a decision to pay, consider that option. You wouldn’t need to worry if you ever end up in this situation again if you invested some of that money into some kind of backup option. If you have saved your files somewhere, you can go get them after you delete STOLEN Ransomware virus. In the future, make sure you avoid file encrypting malware as much as possible by becoming familiar with how it spreads. Make sure your software is updated whenever an update is available, you don’t open random files added to emails, and you only download things from sources you know to be trustworthy.

Methods to remove STOLEN Ransomware virus

It would be a good idea to get an anti-malware utility because it will be necessary to get the ransomware off your device if it still remains. If you have little experience with computers, unintentional damage might be caused to your system when trying to fix STOLEN Ransomware by hand. Instead, using an anti-malware tool wouldn’t jeopardize your computer further. The program isn’t only capable of helping you take care of the threat, but it may also prevent similar ones from getting in in the future. So select a program, install it, have it scan the device and once the ransomware is found, eliminate it. Sadly, such a utility will not help to recover data. If you’re sure your computer is clean, go unlock STOLEN Ransomware files from backup.
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Learn how to remove STOLEN Ransomware from your computer

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

Step 1. Remove STOLEN Ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

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