What is Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware?
Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware is a program that has been created to extort money from innocent computer users. This dangerous infection strikes when you expect it the least, and it makes it seem as though there is no other way out of this situation, but to pay. Computer security experts, on the other hand, discourage users from paying the ransom because there is no guarantee the program will live up to its promises. One thing is clear, though: You need to remove Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware from your computer immediately, and you have opened the right page. In this description, we will tell you more about the infection and how to get rid of it.
Where does Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware come from?
First, we should discuss the potential distribution routes this program can apply. Ransomware programs usually choose from a rather small range of distribution methods, so if you know how they spread around, you will be able to avoid similar intruders in the future.
Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware could have entered your computer as a spam email attachment. If you have recently downloaded and attachment and your computer got infected right after that, then it is very likely that the attachment was the installer file for this program. It should be pointed out that users should not download attachments if they are not sure they are reliable or not. If you must, scan the attachment with a security program before you open it.
The ransomware application may also find its way to your computer through exploit kits and even remote desktop connection programs. So there is a lot to think about your security and potential threats whenever you get exposed to unfamiliar content online. Sometimes even computer security applications cannot protect you from malicious infections, so it is important that you recognize signs that may pinpoint to various threats. Only then will you be able to avoid them.
As far as the origins of this infection are concerned, the researchers at anti-spyware-101.com suggest that it comes from the same developers as Ozozalocker Ransomware. However, that does not mean Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware is a direct clone of the former. Both programs may look the same, but they function differently, and thus they cannot be removed following the same steps.
What does Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware do?
When this program enters your system, it drops the message.vbs file to the %WINDIR% directory. This file contains the ransom note you see on your screen. The note says that your files have been encrypted and to decrypt them, you need to send one Bitcoin to the given Bitcoin address. Will your files be unlocked then? That is highly doubtful.
The problem with ransomware applications is that they often employ third-party proxy servers to maintain the connection between the infected computer and their command and control center. So if the proxy server goes offline (which happens pretty often), the criminals may not even receive your ransom at all.
So rather than focusing on satisfying the criminal demands, you should find a way to get rid of the infection. Luckily, ransomware programs seldom encrypt system files as they need your computer to work for the ransom transfer. So you can use that aspect of the infection to acquire a licensed antispyware tool that will terminate Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware for good.
How do I remove Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware?
The main malicious file associated with the infection could be dropped in several folders across your system. So, if you decide to remove this program manually, you will have to check all of those folders. Also, please note that the malicious file has a random filename. So when we talk about random-name files, we do not mean that the file name is actually “random-name,” by random-name we DO mean that the name is generated at random. Therefore, the file you are looking for could be named HGUG44G.exe or gighAEJgh71G.exe or what have you.
If you think this is too complicated for you, you can always remove Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware with a security tool. Although you will not be able to decrypt your files, it is important that you delete the infection right now.
A public decryption tool is not released yet, but you can delete the encrypted files and replace them with healthy ones, especially if you have a system backup (like an external HDD or some cloud storage) where you keep copies of your most important files. There is always a way out of this situation, and if you require guidance, please leave us a comment.
Manual Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware Removal
- Press Win+R and the Run prompt will open.
- Type %AppData% into the Open box. Click OK.
- Navigate to Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
- Locate a random-name .exe file and delete it.
- Press Win+R again and type %ALLUSERSPROFILE%. Press OK.
- Open Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
- Locate a random-name .exe file and delete it.
- Press Win+R once more and type %WINDIR% into the Open box.
- Click OK and open the SysWOW64 folder.
- Find and remove the random-name .exe file.
- Go back to the %WINDIR% directory and open the System32 folder.
- Locate and delete the same random-name file.
- Press Win+R and enter regedit into the Open box.
- Click OK and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- On right, right-click and delete the values that have this data:
%WINDIR%\Syswow64\[random-name].exe
%WINDIR%\System32\[random-name].exe
tested removal of Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware*
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