Do you know what GNS Ransomware is?
GNS Ransomware is the kind of threat that will slither in and use one simple file – its own launcher – to cause destruction. This malware can acquire a unique encryption key and use it to corrupt all of your personal files, which might include important documents, precious photos, and so on. This malware does not intend to encrypt system files, but it might corrupt the installed software, which could cause problems as well. Of course, software can be reinstalled, and your personal files might be irreplaceable. If you have copies, that is not the case, but not all Windows users are cautious enough to backup important files to keep them extra safe. Hopefully, things are not completely tragic even if you do not have backup copies. Continue reading to learn about this, and also how to remove GNS Ransomware.
We did not need to analyze GNS Ransomware to know that it is part of the Crysis/Dharma Ransomware family. It is enough to just look at this infection to know that it is a clone of HAT Ransomware, CLUB Ransomware, NCOV Ransomware, WCH Ransomware, and other malicious threats. Of course, there are some differences to these variants, as some of them drop more files and even modify the Registry to add functionality. GNS Ransomware is as simple as they come. How a particular threat from this family works might totally depend on the attackers behind it. Crysis/Dharma Ransomware is offered as RaaS (Ransomware as a service), and it can be exploited by different parties, who create their own variants. Although differences exist, all of these threats cause the same kind of damage. Also, they are likely to spread using the same techniques. For example, their launchers could be presented as harmless docs via spam email or attractive programs via malicious downloaders.
GNS Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Once GNS Ransomware is in, it rushes to encrypt files. There is no time to waste because there is always a chance that the victim could randomly scan their system and detect malware that requires removal. What about anti-malware software? Well, if it existed, ideally, you would not be dealing with GNS Ransomware at all. After the files are encrypted, a file named “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” is dropped, and the threat also launches a window entitled “geniusid@protonmail.ch.” Both the text file and the window represent the same message, according to which, you need to contact the attackers if you want to get your files back. You are instructed to email geniusid@protonmail.ch or geniusyourid@cock.li, but we do not recommend doing that. Why? If you send an email, you will create a portal that cybercriminals will be able to use to terrorize you and scam you in other ways. The primary goal, of course, is to make you pay for a decryptor, and even if that is your only option, we do not recommend falling for this scam. You are unlikely to get a decryptor by paying the ransom.
There is a tool called ‘Rakhni Decryptor’ that is free and that was created by malware researchers. Will it decrypt your files corrupted by GNS Ransomware? We cannot know for sure, but this tool is supposed to decrypt Crysis/Dharma malware, and so we hope that you can employ it. Alternatively, if you have backup copies, do not worry about this tool. Simply delete GNS Ransomware and move on to replace the corrupted files with backups. In either case, we suggest removing the malware first. Since it does not seem to be composed of multiple elements, perhaps you can delete it manually. If you are not able to locate the launcher, do not leave it all up to chance and guesses. Install an anti-malware program that will remove GNS Ransomware automatically and, most importantly, reinstate Windows protection.
Remove GNS Ransomware
- Delete all recently downloaded files that you identify as malware files.
- Delete the ransom note file named FILES ENCRYPTED.txt (copies should exist in all affected folders).
- Empty Recycle Bin once you think that the malware was fully deleted.
- Install a malware scanner you trust to perform a full system scan and search for leftovers.
In non-techie terms:
If GNS Ransomware slithers in, two things are for sure. One, your files are encrypted. Two, your operating system lacks protection. How do you solve these problems? Unfortunately, we cannot say if you will be able to recover your files because you are unlikely to obtain a decryptor from the attackers (in fact, we do not even know if that decryptor exists), you might not have backups, and the free decryptor might not help you. In any case, you must delete GNS Ransomware. If you are well versed in malware, perhaps you can delete this infection yourself, but if you cannot, and if you are looking to strengthen your system’s protection, we suggest implementing anti-malware software now.