Do you know what CONTI Ransomware is?
CONTI Ransomware leaves notes called CONTI_README.txt after it encrypts various victims’ files. Based on the message that can be found on such documents, it looks like the malicious application’s developers want to be contacted so they could demand ransom from their victims in exchange for decryption tools. Such a scenario is very likely considering that most ransomware applications are created with an intent to extort money from unfortunate users who end up receiving them. If you are one of those users and you do not know what you should do, we invite you to read our full report to learn more about this malicious application. Also, we can offer our removal guide placed below this article that shows how you could delete CONTI Ransomware from your system.
Our cybersecurity specialists think that a threat like CONTI Ransomware could be spread through unsecured RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) connections. Thus, if you are using remote desktop tools, you should make sure that only you will be able to connect to your device remotely. This you can do by setting up a strong password and enabling extra security features like Two-Factor authentication that your remote desktop tool might have. Also, such malicious applications are often spread through Spam emails and unreliable file-sharing web pages. Consequently, we also recommend being careful with all data that comes from unreliable sources or raise suspicion. To protect your device, it would be best to scan files when you do not know them to be safe for certain with a legitimate antimalware tool that could tell if you should interact with files in question or not.
CONTI Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
CONTI Ransomware ought to encrypt various documents, pictures, videos, and data alike. To make it clear which files are affected, the malicious application ought to add the .CONTI extension at the end of their titles, for example, sky.jpg.CONTI. Users should be unable to open data marked with the mentioned extension. After targeted files are enciphered, the threat should drop ransom notes called CONTI_README.txt or similarly in all directories that contain encrypted data. The message inside of these documents should only say that if you want to decrypt your files, you have to contact the malware’s creators via email. However, we believe that if you do so, the hackers will ask you to pay ransom to get decryption tools. While the offer might not sound complicated, you should know that there are no guarantees that CONTI Ransomware’s developers will keep up with their promises. Therefore, we advise not to deal with them if the possibility of losing your money in vain scares you.
Instead, our cybersecurity specialists advise deleting CONTI Ransomware and replace files with backup copies that you could have on removable media devices, cloud storage, elsewhere. To erase the malicious application manually, you could follow the instructions we have at the end of this paragraph. Also, you can eliminate CONTI Ransomware with a reputable antimalware tool of your preference.
Erase CONTI Ransomware
- Restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking.
- 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.
- Search for a files called CONTI_README.txt or similarly, right-click them, and choose Delete.
- Exit File Explorer.
- Empty Recycle bin.
- Restart the computer.
In non-techie terms:
CONTI Ransomware is a threat that encrypts files and shows a ransom note that explains how to get in touch with the malware’s developers. However, the ransom note may claim that your system has been locked, which is untrue. You might not be able to open most of your personal files, but your system should be bootable, and the device ought to work normally. Besides unreadable files, users should also notice ransom notes that might appear on every directory containing encrypted data. These notes should only explain how to contact the threat’s developers, but if you do, we believe they might demand to pay a ransom. You should know that making deals with cybercriminals is dangerous and could end up badly. Thus, we advise not to trust them and not to put up with their demands if you do not want to take any chances. To find out how to delete CONTI Ransomware, you could use the removal guide placed above this paragraph. Also, you could eliminate the threat with a reputable antimalware tool.