Do you know what Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware is?
A window “YOUR FILES HAS BEEN ENCRYPTED” opened on Desktop and a new extension .encrypted files contain indicate that Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware has successfully entered the computer and already applied changes. This infection targets pictures, documents, media files, and other valuable data mainly because it seeks to make users pay money to cyber criminals. If you ever encounter a working version of Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware and it encrypts your files, do not rush to pay money to the author of this infection even if you find the required ransom small. We first suggest trying to recover files from a backup because there are no guarantees that files will be unlocked after transferring money to cyber criminals. If you have never backed up your important files, sadly, there is not much you can do to recover the encrypted data. Of course, Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware cannot be kept active on the system, so go to delete it no matter your files stay encrypted or you recover them.
Although Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware has been detected recently and can be considered quite new, we could not say that it differs from older ransomware infections: first, it finds valuable files to encrypt and then locks them all by appending the filename extension .encrypted. It uses the AES-256 encryption algorithm to do that, which is why it is so hard to decrypt files it locks. After the encryption of data, this infection opens a window with the following message:
YOUR FILES HAS BEEN ENCRYPTED
Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key, generated for this computer.
Private decryption key is stored on a secret Internet server and nobody can decrypt your files until you pay and obtain the private key.
Now you have the last chance to decrypt your files.
The price of the “private key” needed for the decryption of files is 0.02 BTC (~$25). Users need to transfer money to 3BsyRz2sdvXcWRaycPoizEH5hAbDmWcpNE (Bitcoin address) and then contact cyber criminals by writing an email to ransomwareinc@yopmail.com to get the tool. Of course, we cannot guarantee that you will really get it after transferring your money, so you should first try to recover the encrypted data from a backup. Our team of specialists says that users should check if their files have really been locked before taking any action because, at the time of writing, the C&C server (http://ganedata.co.uk/ransomware/ransomware.php) of this ransomware-type infection is down and it only opens a window with a ransom note but does not encrypt any files. It might be true that you do not even need to go to unlock your files too. Keep in mind that it is still a must to uninstall Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware from the system in order not to let it strike again.
Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
We have already explained to you how this ransomware infection acts, but you still might wonder how it has entered your computer. To be frank, there are three different ways this ransomware-type infection is spread. First, it might be distributed via exploit kits. Second, it might arrive on users’ computers if they open attachments from spam emails. Third, this infection could be dropped by a Trojan. It, of course, does not need your permission to show up on the computer. The majority of ransomware infections are spread using these distribution methods, and they are not going to ask your permission to enter the system. Because of this, the installation of a security application is highly recommended.
Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware is not a ransomware infection which makes changes in the system registry, drops a bunch of files, and creates its copies. It works from the place it is launched, so there are only two things you need to do to delete it: first, close the window with a ransom note by clicking X and, second, delete the recently opened suspicious file. You can find and erase it with the help of an automatic tool too.
Delete Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware
- Close the ransomware window by clicking X.
- Check Desktop and the Downloads folder.
- If you find a malicious file there, delete it.
- Empty the Trash bin.
In non-techie terms:
There is a possibility that Fake WindowsUpdater Ransomware has entered your computer not alone. Other computer infections could have sneaked on the system unnoticed too. Users usually do not know about these untrustworthy programs because they silently work in the background. Of course, it does not mean that it is impossible to find out about their presence. Go to perform a system scan with a reputable tool and you will find out about all active malicious applications/malicious components on your system in the blink of an eye.