Sad Ransomware Removal Guide

Do you know what Sad Ransomware is?

Computer specialists say Sad Ransomware is a malicious threat that is programmed to ruin user’s files just so the malware’s developers could demand a ransom. So far it does not look like anyone has paid yet and hopefully no one will. Obviously, there are no reassurances when dealing with hackers, so if you pay the ransom, keep it in mind, you might lose the invested sum for nothing. Instead of risking one’s savings, our researchers advise erasing the malicious program with the removal guide located below the text or a reputable antimalware tool of your choice. There are a couple of ways to restore files too, although they may not work for everyone; nonetheless, we will discuss them later in the article. Thus, if you just found out your computer has been infected by Sad Ransomware, and you are still not sure what to do about it, we recommend reading the rest of the text.

The malicious program does not lock user’s screen or even makes the system relaunch it with each restart. Our researchers learned the infection might place an executable file called Picture.exe in the %HOMEDRIVE% folder and possibly randomly named file called tGVkDTIb.exe in the %TEMP% location. Besides these files, Sad Ransomware should drop pictures, text documents, and even HTML files titled _HELPME_DECRYPT_. All of them should contain a message from the threat’s creators, but naturally, they are supposed to appear only when the threat finishes encrypting user’s files.

It was discovered Sad Ransomware targets only four directories located in the C: disk: %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%, %USERPROFILE%, and %PUBLIC%. As you can see from the listed paths, the malware might be able to encrypt program files. Consequently, some of the programs could crash instantly and it should become impossible to re-open them. Probably, the only way to restore the ruined software if you do not have a decryption tool is to rewrite encrypted programs. As for private data that could be destroyed by the malicious program as well, users may replace it with copies from removable media devices, and so on.Sad Ransomware Removal GuideSad Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions

What’s more, the malware could place one other file called id.txt located in the %TEMP% folder. This text document should contain a unique ID number generated by Sad Ransomware. You should see the same number at the end of each encrypted file’s title and even in the files called _HELPME_DECRYPT_ or to be more precise, in the malware’s ransom notes. These messages might be presented on different file types (text document, picture, etc.), but they all should carry instructions showing how to pay the ransom. Again, we would like to stress how dangerous it could be should you decide to transfer the money. First of all, the asked sum appears to be a huge amount of money since currently the price of Bitcoins has increased quite a lot. Also, the hackers responsible for this infection might appear to be unwilling to help their victims.

Users who do not want to pay malicious program’s creators should delete the infection at once. If you feel experienced enough, you could get rid of it manually while following the steps provide a bit below this paragraph. Sad Ransomware can be erased with an antimalware tool as well, so if you prefer using automatic tools, you should employ a reputable tool you prefer. A full-system can be beneficial for the computer too since during it the antimalware tool might detect other possible threats, and the user could remove them all at the same time.

Eliminate Sad Ransomware

  1. Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
  2. Choose Task Manager.
  3. Identify the malicious program’s process.
  4. Select the suspicious process and press the End Task button.
  5. Exit Task Manager.
  6. Press Windows Key+E and locate the following path %HOMEDRIVE%
  7. Find a file named Picture.exe, right-click this file and select Delete.
  8. Navigate to %TEMP%
  9. Locate the following files: tGVkDTIb.exe and id.txt.
  10. Right-click the mentioned files separately and click Delete.
  11. Check your Desktop.
  12. Erase these files one by one: _HELPME_DECRYPT_.png, _HELPME_DECRYPT_.html, _HELPME_DECRYPT_.txt, _HELPME_DECRYPT_.hta.
  13. Exit File Explorer.
  14. Empty Recycle bin.
  15. Restart the computer.

In non-techie terms:

Sad Ransomware is yet another malicious program for money extortion. Same as other applications from the same category, the ransomware encrypts data vital to the computer’s user, displays a ransom note suggesting you could get a decryption tool if you pay a particular sum, and promises to deliver it as soon as the payment is received. The problem is, while the hackers behind the threat might sound reassuring in reality you cannot know how they will choose to act. For instance, they may not deliver the decryption tool, ask more money for it, and so on. This is why we advise users to delete the malware and find a safer way to get back the encrypted files instead of risking their money. The infection can be erased manually with the steps located above this text or a legitimate antimalware tool of your preference.