Infected with Horse ransomware? Need to decrypt your files?
What is Horse ransomware
Horse Ransomware is a trojan-crypter, which hidden block all documents and media on users machines. Decryption method, AES+RSA add .HORSE or .horsuke@nuke.africa suffix to every coded file. Unfortunately, decryption tool doesn’t exist at present moment. But some methods, based on backup restoring can help to partially restore encrypted data. Another method is to use ransom notes, where developers demand money for decryption. They offer decryption only for BTC. NOTE! We strongly recommend to not pay them anything! Real decryption is not warranted, besides, all payments will support the creation of similar viruses in future. Example of ransom notes(below):
HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT
Your files are now encrypted, Your personal identifier: *********************
All your Files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. How you should send us email with your personal identifier. This email will be as confirmation you are ready to pay for decryption key. You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files. Contact us using this email address: horsuke@nuke.africa If you don't get a reply or if the email dies, then contact us to saviours@airmail.cc Free decryption as guarantee? Before paying you can send us up to 3 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.).
How to obtain Bitcoins? . The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price: https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins . Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here: http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins attention? . Do not rename encrypted files. Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss. . Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
We recommend to remove Horse Ransomware and not to pay the ransom. Also in our article, we offer all available methods of restoring .HORSE or .horsuke@nuke.africa files.
How Horse ransomware infected your PC
Horse ransomware distributes through English speaking countries. Sometimes it infiltrates PC from other countries. Ransomware threats spread through the malicious emails and unprotected network configuration, including remote desktop configuration, fake updates, freeware software, bundles. For most reliable protecting from ransomware threats, you should never download programs from the suspicious sources and use backup copies. The only way to protect your computer from such threats is to install antiviruses with crypto-protection like HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard.
What to do if you are infected with Horse ransomware virus?
First of all don’t panic. Follow these easy steps below.
1. Start your computer in Safe Mode with networking. To do that, restart your computer before your system starts hit F8 several times. This will stop system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with networking option from the options list using up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.
2. Log in to the system infected with the Horse ransomware virus. Launch your Internet browser and download a reliable anti-malware program and start a full system scan. Once the scan is complete, review scan results and remove all entries detected.
Recommended Solution:
Norton is a powerful removal tool. It can remove all instances of newest viruses, similar to Horse ransomware – files, folders, registry keys.
*Trial version of Norton provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Norton.
Step 2: Remove following files and folders of Horse ransomware:
Remove following Internet connections:
horsuke@nuke.africa
Check following files:
HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT
inside.exe
C:\eula.1028.txt
C:\eula.1033.txt
C:\eula.1041.txt
C:\install.exe
C:\ntldr
C:\vcredist.bmp
C:\VC_RED.MSI (successful)
C:\Documents and Settings\
C:\Documents and Settings\
How to decrypt files infected by Horse ransomware (.HORSE or .horsuke@nuke.africa files)?
Use automated decryption tools
Horse decryption tool from Kaspersky
There is ransomware decryptor from Kaspersky that can decrypt Horse files. It is free and may help you restore Horse files encrypted by Horse Ransomware virus. Download it here:
Decrypt Horse files manually
Restore the system using System Restore
Although, latest versions of Horse ransomware remove system restore files, this method may help you partially restore your files. Give it a try and use standard System Restore to revive your data.
- Initiate the search for ‘system restore‘
- Click on the result
- Choose the date before the infection appearance
- Follow the on-screen instructions
Roll the files back to the previous version
Previous versions can be copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup (if it is active) or copies of files and folders created by System Restore. You can use this feature to restore files and folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged (in our case – encrypted by Horse ransomware). This feature is available in Windows 7 and later versions.
- Right-click the file and choose Properties
- Open the Previous Version tab
- Select the latest version and click Copy
- Click Restore
Restore .Horse or .horsuke@nuke.africa files using shadow copies
- Download and run Stellar Data Recovery.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next.
- Select the drive and folder where your files are located and date that you want to restore them from and press Scan.
- Once the scanning process is done, click Recover to restore your files.
Information provided by Tim Kas