Serpent Ransomware Adds .serp File Extension
When malicious Serpent Ransomware invades the Windows operating system, it immediately encrypts files and adds the .serp File Extension to them. If you find this extension, there is no doubt that that file was encrypted. What can you do about it? Some users remove .serp File Extension in the hopes of getting their files back, but that is not a solution. In fact, this extension is just a marker allowing you to identify the corrupted files quickly. Other than that, the extension has no purpose. What you need to change is the data of your file because the ransomware messes it during the encryption to make the file unreadable. To change things back to normal, a special decryption key (also referred to as the “private key”) must be applied. Where can you find this key? Unfortunately, the creator of the ransomware is likely to store it on a remote server, and retrieving it might be impossible. Although you are promised to get the decryptor as soon as you pay a huge ransom, no one can say if cyber criminals will keep their promises.
Serpent Ransomware is a tremendously dangerous infection that employs AES256 and RSA2048 ciphers to encrypt data found on your operating system. According to the latest data, this threat can encrypt files with over 900 types of extensions, which, basically, covers the majority of files. Documents, archives, media files, photos, presentations, and all kinds of other valuable data can be corrupted by this malicious threat, and you are unlikely to notice it until it’s done. The thing is that this infection is very clandestine, and its creator ensures that it encrypts files in a stealthy manner. Its infiltration, of course, is clandestine as well. According to the experts working in our internal lab, the launcher file of Serpent Ransomware is camouflaged as a normal file followed by a normal-looking message. Unfortunately, if you open the attachment, the encryption starts, and the .serp File Extension is attached simultaneously. According to our research team, different versions of the ransomware can attach “.serp” and “.serpent” extensions. In either case, you are dealing with the same powerful threat that requires immediate elimination.
The creator of the Serpent Ransomware expects you to pay a ransom of 0.75 Bitcoins within 7 days to get a decryptor (Serpent Decrypter) that allegedly can decrypt all files with the .serp File Extension. After 7 days, the ransom rises to 2.25 Bitcoins. If you are not familiar with this currency, you might not realize that 0.75 BTC is around 840 EUR, and 2.25 BTC is around 2500 EUR. Do you have that kind of money to pay the ransom? If you do, can you afford to lose that much money? After all, cyber criminals are not obliged to fulfill their promises, and so no one knows if you would get a decryptor after paying the ransom. The worst part is that you have no other option (unless your personal files are stored in external or virtual backup). If you are hoping to restore your files using system restore point, we have to inform you that Serpent Ransomware can remove shadow volume copies using the “WMIC.exe shadowcopy delete /nointeractive” command. That means that the solution represented via “HOW_TO_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES_[***].txt/html” might be your only option.
Are you thinking about removing Serpent Ransomware manually? If you are, check out the guide below. Alternatively, use anti-malware software to have the infection eliminated automatically. We have to warn you that your operating system is vulnerable, and it is possible that other infections have found their way in. Also, only reliable anti-malware software can keep your PC guarded in the future, and we are sure that you desire full-time protection after facing the destructive ransomware.
Delete the ransomware from Windows
- Identify the {unknown name}.exe file you downloaded via spam email.
- Right-click and Delete the file.
- Simultaneously tap Win+E keys to access Windows Explorer.
- Enter %AppData% into the bar at the top.
- Right-click and Delete the {unknown name} folder with the {unknown name}.exe file.
- Enter %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\ into the bar at the top.
- Right-click and Delete the {unknown name}.vbs file.
- Right-click the recycle bin and choose Empty Recycle Bin.
- Install a trustworthy malware scanner to thoroughly inspect your operating system for leftovers.
In non-techie terms:
You will not achieve anything by deleting .serp File Extension from the files encrypted by the malicious Serpent Ransomware. In order to decrypt these files, you need a decryptor that the creator of the infection is willing to share with you if you pay a humongous ransom. Of course, no one can guarantee that cyber crooks would keep their promises, and so you have to be very careful about following any demands. Whether you lose your files or recover them, removing the ransomware is crucial. Use the guide above, or, better yet, employ trusted anti-malware software to have the infection erased automatically. It is also important that you back up your files using a reliable system. Our research team recommends using external drives or online backup.