Do you know what Herad Ransomware is?
Herad Ransomware seems to be a new version of Stop Ransomware. Like most of the threats from this family, it encrypts files and leaves a note asking to email the malware’s creators or contact them via Telegram. However, we would not recommend doing so, as there might be no need for it. According to our computer security specialists, a decryptor that was created by IT specialists for Stop Ransomware should work on files encrypted by this new variant too. Thus, if you have no other means to restore your data and you do not want to deal with the malicious application’s developers, you could look for the mentioned decryption tool on the Internet, just make sure you download it from a legitimate site operated by cybersecurity experts. In such a case, we also recommend deleting Herad Ransomware with the removal guide placed below or a reputable antimalware tool of your choice. As for learning more details about the malware, its removal, and so on, we encourage you to read our full report.
This new variant of Stop Ransomware adds .herad extension at the end of its enciphered files’ titles, which is why the malware was titled Herad Ransomware. The research shows the malicious application is after personal data. For example, text or other types of documents, pictures and photos, videos and audio files, and so on. Once the described data becomes encrypted, the threat should drop a text document called _readme.txt. Inside of it victims ought to find a text starting with “Attention! Don’t worry, you can return all your files!” Then it explains that files were enciphered with a strong encryption algorithm, and the process cannot be reversed without special decryption tools. The note even mentions that it is possible to get one file of no value decrypted free of charge as a guarantee.
Unfortunately, to get all files decrypted the note asks to purchase decryption tools that cost 980 US dollars or 490 US dollars if a victim pays the money within 72 hours. As we already explained, in the beginning, there might be no need for decryption tools from hackers. Also, besides the free Stop Ransomware decryption that ought to work on Herad Ransomware’s affected data too, the malware’s victims can use backup copies if they have them. As for dealing with the malware’s developers, it would be risky, and it could end up hazardously. Therefore, we always recommend against it. Another thing we ought to advise for those who come across such threats is to be cautious with email attachments from unknown senders or Spam emails as such content could carry malicious applications like Herad Ransomware. It is always safer to scan email attachments or suspicious files downloaded from the Internet with a reputable antimalware tool first.
If you decide you have no wish to deal with the malware’s creators, we advise deleting Herad Ransomware with no hesitation. S always the removal guide available below shows how to eliminate the threat manually. If you prefer automatic features, you should get a reputable antimalware tool of your preferences and scan your computer with it.
Erase Herad Ransomware
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
- Pick Task Manager and check the Processes tab.
- Locate a process belonging to the malware.
- Choose the process and click End Task.
- Exit Task Manager.
- Click Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to the suggested paths:
%TEMP%
%USERPROFILE%Desktop
%USERPROFILE%Downloads - Find a file opened when the device got infected, right-click the malicious file and select Delete.
- Locate text documents called _readme.txt, right-click them and select Delete.
- Exit File Explorer.
- Empty Recycle bin.
- Restart the computer.
In non-techie terms:
Herad Ransomware is a dangerous file-encrypting threat. It enciphers files in order to take them as a hostage. Afterward, the malicious application ought to show ransom note saying a victim can get his data decrypted if he contacts the threat’s developers. The price for the threat’s suggested decryption tools is not that small, and if you do not want to risk losing it in vain, we advise not to put up with any demands. Instead, users could look for decryption tools created for Stop Ransomware as they should work for all malicious applications from this family. Also, users who have backup copies can simply eliminate the malware and then replace encrypted files with backup copies. To learn how to delete Herad Ransomware manually, you could follow the removal guide available above. On the other hand, if you prefer using automatic features, you could install a reputable antimalware tool of your choice and let it erase the threat for you.