Do you know what NEFILIM Ransomware is?
NEFILIM Ransomware might show a message that says hackers will leak users’ personal files if they do not comply with their demands. Also, the note should say that the malware’s developers are the only ones who can restore data encrypted by this threat. As you see, the malicious program may encipher pictures, videos, various documents, and other private files with a robust encryption algorithm to make them unusable. The only way to reverse the encryption process is to use special decryption tools that only hackers might be able to provide. Of course, even if you fear that your files could be leaked and that you might never decrypt them, we do not recommend putting up with any demands. Whatever cybercriminals promise, they might not hold on to their word. Thus, we advise thinking carefully and learning more about NEFILIM Ransomware first if you come across it.
One of the first things that you ought to know about threats like NEFILIM Ransomware is that many of them enter systems via unsecured RDP or Remote Desktop Protocol connections. Therefore, it is extremely important to secure RDP connections on your computer or disable them if you do not use them, to protect your system against ransomware and malware alike. Also, many similar malicious programs are spread through spam emails and unreliable file-sharing websites, which is why our researchers recommend keeping away from files received from unknown senders or offered on questionable web pages. If you must interact with an unreliable file, make sure that you scan it with a legitimate antimalware tool that could tell you if it is safe to open it.
NEFILIM Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Our researchers say that if NEFILIM Ransomware gets launched, it might start encrypting targeted files very soon. That is because it does not need to settle in or, in other words, drop any data on an infected device. Files that get encrypted by it should receive the .NEFILIM extension. For example, a document called ticket.pdf would become ticket.pdf.NEFILIM if it gets encrypted by the discussed malicious application. As soon as the threat finishes encrypting its targeted data, it ought to create and open a file called NEFILIM-DECRYPT.txt. As you can probably guess, the document ought to contain a message explaining how to decrypt files that get encrypted by NEFILIM Ransomware.
Usually, such ransom notes ask to pay ransom, but this one only asks to contact the malware’s developers in 7 days. Also, hackers threaten users to leak their personal files if they do not comply. What we believe is that cybercriminals might threaten to do this only to scare victims to put up with their demands, but do not plan to do so. Also, it is likely that NEFILIM Ransomware’s developers will ask to pay ransom if users do contact them. Naturally, we advise not to trust cybercriminals as they might not keep up with their promises. For users who have backup copies we recommend replacing encrypted files with such copies if they do not want to risk getting scammed by the malware’s creators.
Of course, it is advisable to delete NEFILIM Ransomware first as it could still cause trouble if it stays. The removal guide below shows how to erase it manually, but if the task seems to complicated, we advise using a reliable antimalware tool that could eliminate NEFILIM Ransomware for you.
Delete NEFILIM Ransomware
- Restart the computer in Safe Mode with Networking.
- Press Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to these paths:
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%TEMP% - Find the malware’s launcher (suspicious recently downloaded file), right-click it, and select Delete.
- Locate files titled NEFILIM-DECRYPT.txt, right-click them, and press Delete.
- Close File Explorer.
In non-techie terms:
NEFILIM Ransomware is a vicious threat as it can enter a system without permission and encrypt your most precious files. Moreover, the malware’s creators might ask you to put up with their demands to get decryption tools that could restore your files. What they ask is for users to contact them via given emails and send a couple of files for free decryption. Most of similar threats are used for money extortion, which is why we believe that the malware’s victims might be asked to pay ransom if they contact hackers. Keep in mind that even if they prove that they have tools that could decrypt your files, there are still no guarantees that they will deliver them. Naturally, if you do not think cybercriminals should be trusted and do not want to deal with them, we advise concentrating on the threat’s deletion. To learn how to erase NEFILIM Ransomware manually, you could use the removal guide placed above.