Do you know what Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware is?
Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware is an infection that is capable of encrypting your precious personal files. This devious threat is the new variant of the OzozaLocker Ransomware. It is most likely that the creators of this dangerous infection stand behind many other threats alike, but there is no way of knowing that for sure because they have concealed themselves pretty good. Even the distribution of this threat is extremely clandestine, and you might not notice when it attacks your operating system at all. It is most likely that you have let this malware in by opening a corrupted file introduced you to via a spam email. The ransomware is executed silently, and it initiates the encryption of your files silently as well. Due to this, most users realize that this threat is active only after it encrypts all files and displays a notification. Of course, it is too late to remove Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware then; however, eliminating this malware is essential.
For the encryption of your personal files, Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware uses the AES-256 encryption key. The data within your files is jumbled up, rendering your files unreadable. To restore them back to normal, you need a decryption key, but it is in the hands of cyber criminals; if it exists at all, of course. It is very easy to spot which files are corrupted by the ransomware because they gain the “.LOCKED” extension. Do not bother removing this extension because that will not help. Unfortunately, according to our research team, it is currently impossible to decrypt files without the decryption key, and third-party decryptors cannot help you either. Due to this, you might choose to follow the demands of cyber criminals, which are represented via the “message.vbs” file. This file is placed in %WINDIR%, and the message informs that you need to pay a ransom of 1 Bitcoin – which is around 750 USD or 700 EUR – to 1J6X2LzDrLyR9EoEDVJzogwW5esq5DyHRB (unique Bitcoin Address). It is also stated that you have to confirm the payment by emailing cyber criminals at Santa_helper@protonmail.com with the provided key. Unfortunately, some users choose to pay the ransom.
Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
As you already know, the decryption key that Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware creators have is your only chance at getting your files decrypted. Despite this, paying the ransom requested is a huge risk. First of all, you do not know if this key exists at all. Second, you do not know if cyber criminals will give it to you after you make the payment. At the end of the day, cyber criminals are not concerned about you, and they could care less if you get your files decrypted or not. Hopefully, you do not even need to think about the decryption because your files are backed up, and you can access them online or using an external drive. If your files are not backed up, we strongly recommend that you take care of that as soon as you delete Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware.
The removal of Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware is not an easy task, mainly because the main .exe file has a random name and location. Hopefully, you will be able to get rid of this threat manually using the guide below, and if you do not succeed, you can install an automated malware removal tool. We strongly advise keeping this tool installed at all times to ensure that your operating system stays guarded against the invasion of malware at all times.
Remove Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware
- Simultaneously tap keys Win+E.
- In the Explorer’s bar at the top, enter the directory (see the list of possible directories below) and then Delete the malicious .exe file:
- %WINDIR%\System32\
- %WINDIR%\Syswow64\
- %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
- %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
- %USERPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
- %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
- %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
- Enter %WINDIR% into the bar at the top.
- Delete the file called message.vbs (the ransom note).
- Simultaneously tap Win+R keys.
- In the RUN dialog box enter regedit.exe.
- In Registry Editor go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- Delete the value that is linked to the malicious .exe file.
- Install a reliable malware scanner to scan your PC.
In non-techie terms:
You need to delete Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware from your operating system regardless of whether or not you manage to salvage your personal files. Hopefully, you can get rid of this malware knowing that your files are safe. If you have chosen to pay the ransom – which we cannot recommend doing – you must not forget to erase the ransomware; regardless of what the outcome is. If you need help with the elimination of this malicious threat, we welcome all questions via the comments section below. Note that the manual removal guide is not your only option. You can always install anti-malware software that was created to find and erase existing threats automatically.