What is Shiva Ransomware?
Shiva Ransomware is new malware threat that has the potential of becoming a dangerous ransomware but right now it mostly resembles a work in progress rather than a finished infection. The current samples that are spreading does not seem to encrypt your files even if the ransom note claims so. In fact, the ransom note itself is quite vague as there is no instructions and information given regarding the payment for the decryption key. This is why we can assume that this could be just a test run of an unfinished ransomware program. So, if you are lucky enough to be infected by this version, you may get away with it this time as your files should not actually be encrypted. However, you should definitely take this as a lesson to start saving regular backups in order to be safe. You can never know when the next hit will strike down upon your PC if it is not protected by a professional anti-malware program. Taking this attack lightly would be a big mistake. As a matter of fact, our malware specialists at anti-spyware-101.com say that you should remove Shiva Ransomware immediately after you notice it on your computer.
Where does Shiva Ransomware come from?
There are a couple ways in which ransomware programs can be distributed on the web and one of the most likely ways is via spamming campaigns. It is quite likely that you have received such a spam lately and you found it important to open its attachment. As a matter of fact, this attached file is always the malicious executable in disguise that initiates the attack the moment you run it. This is why you should never do so when you get a questionable e-mail. Even opening such a mail could be risky because some threats can actually trigger an attack when you click on the mail to open it. A spam mail like this could claim that you have not settled an invoice that is way overdue now, you have given the wrong credit card information while purchasing online, and so on. In other word, this mail may not raise your suspicion because these matters could relate to anyone really. But even if you know for sure that "it cannot be me," you would be likely to want to see what this is all about. Curiosity is what these criminals mainly rely on. If you are ever in doubt, you should reply the e-mail in question or first, run a web search on the sender and the e-mail address to see whether it is mentioned as linked to a possible cyber attack. Please note that when you delete Shiva Ransomware, normally, your encrypted files could be lost for good. In this case, however, it is likely that actually no harm is done.
How does Shiva Ransomware work?
While Lord Shiva is supposed to be the destroyer of the world, this malware infection is supposed to destroy your files; well, at least encrypt them beyond repair so that a ransom fee could be extorted from you for the decryption key or software. However, our tests indicate that this version could be a test run, i.e., an unfinished ransomware program that does not encrypt files and does not even have a proper ransom note yet. It does drop an .html file called "hk.html" on your system but it merely contains any useful information. Actually, this note simply states that your files have been encrypted and that you either have to "send me some bitcoins or say goodbye to your files." This is hardly enough information even for an IT or malware expert to transfer "some" or "any" money for that matter to a Bitcoin address that is not provided. These are usual signs of a work in progress, which could mean, of course, that Shiva may strike back hard next time, once it is finished and released. So the good news is that you can easily remove Shiva Ransomware without risking your files; this time.
How can I delete Shiva Ransomware?
The good thing is that this ransomware does not lock your screen or block your system processes; therefore, it is quite simple to eliminate it. Please follow our instructions if you are ready to act. Although it is quite easy for even an inexperienced computer user, identifying a random-name file could be tricky and you should always run a web search when in doubt, before accidentally deleting something useful or important. But this threat may not be the only one on board and may not be the last one you will have to deal with either. If you want proper protection against future threats as well, we suggest that you download and install a reliable anti-malware program, such as SpyHunter. What could be safer than automatic threat detection and removal?
Remove Shiva Ransomware from Windows
- Tap Win+E to launch File Explorer.
- Find the recently downloaded suspicious .exe file and delete it.
- Delete the ransom note file ("hk.html").
- Empty your Recycle Bin.
- Restart your computer.
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