Holding files encrypted for ransom is the most deadly attack on your computer system. The files had already been affected as user spotted the damage. The only ultimate solution to get the files in the state they had been before encryption would be to pay the ransom as requested by the scammers. However, the crooks are insidious enough to play further hoax on their victims.
Despite a ransom virus is known to automatically launch encryption once the ransom is paid, the decryption launching may happen to fail. Thereby, purchasing the hacker’s key is only to apply as a last resort.
.RDM Extension, also known as Radamant ransomware, is the latest release of AES-256 based encryption malware. AES-256 is a symmetric encryption algorithm. Symmetric encryption applies the same key to scramble and unscramble the target data. AES is the aberration. It stands for Advanced Encryption Standard.
Exact infection vector for the ransomware is subject to further research and examination. Basically, the developers of the Radamant ransomware rather engage affiliates to distribute the malicious code. The affiliates are not likely to cooperate. They may opt for quite unrelated propagation routines.
Any installations of the ransomware deploy from the same folder, %Temp%. This folder is often involved into installation of malware via exploit kit, especially where the virus installs with .tmp extension. Both conditions are observed in case of .RDM Extension.
Once the virus completes its installation, it detects and modifies the folders on your PC. It actually scans for specific extensions. The list of extension covers nearly any type of data though. Thereby, the rogue rather affects any bit of data on your working station.
The affected data get extra extension called .RDM. The infection also attempts to destroy Shadow Volume Copies to aggravate affected data recovery.
Victims learn what the crooks want by opening file called Your_Files.url. Copies of the file are scattered nearly everywhere in your computer memory. You may clean the files later as a junk.
The instructions demand the victim is to pay a ransom to the amount of 0.5 bitcoins. Once the payment is made, the ransomware is to automatically trigger the decryption.
Removal of Radamant ransomware shall be completed whether you opt for paying the ransom or applying recovery. The infection aggravates it extermination. Not only it makes use of advanced encryption to lock your data, it is also know to be protected with advanced protection techniques.
Needless to say, it is much easier to remove .RDM Extension virus than undo the decryption. However, the decrypted files can stills be rescued. There are a number of recovery solutions available. You may at least try them instead of satisfying demand of the crooks. Of course, the best case scenario keeps the ransomware out of your device.
Automatic removal of Radamant ransomware
The benefits of using the automatic security suite to get rid of this infection are obvious: it scans the entire system and detects all potential fragments of the virus, so you are a few mouse clicks away from a complete fix.
- Download and install recommended malware security suite
- Select Start Computer Scan feature and wait until the utility comes up with the scan report. Proceed by clicking on the Fix Threats button, which will trigger a thorough removal process to address all the malware issues compromising your computer and your privacy.
Unlock files encrypted by Radamant virus
Radamant represents a unique category of malicious software whose attack surface reaches beyond the operating system and its components, which is why removing the virus itself is a part of the fix only. As it has been mentioned, it encrypts one’s personal information, so the next phase of the overall remediation presupposes reinstating the files that will otherwise remain inaccessible.
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Launch data recovery software
Similarly to the rest of its fellow-infections, Radamant most likely follows an operational algorithm where it erases the original versions of the victim’s files and actually encrypts their copies. This peculiarity might make your day, because forensics-focused applications like Data Recovery Pro are capable of restoring the information that has been removed. As the virus further evolves, its modus operandi may be altered – in the meanwhile, go ahead and try this.
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Take advantage of Volume Shadow Copy Service
This technique is based on using the native backup functionality that’s shipped with Windows operating system. Also referred to as Volume Snapshot Service (VSS), this feature makes regular backups of the user’s files and keeps their most recent versions as long as System Restore is on. Radamant hasn’t been found to affect these copies therefore the restoration vector in question is strongly recommended. The two sub-sections below highlight the automatic and manual workflow.
- a) Use Shadow Explorer
Shadow Explorer is an applet that provides an easy way of retrieving previous versions of files and folders. Its pro’s include an intuitive interface where the computer’s entire file hierarchy is displayed within one window. Just pick the hard disk volume, select the object or directory to be restored, right-click on it and choose Export. Follow the app’s prompts to get the job done.
- b) Use file properties
Essentially, what the above-mentioned Shadow Explorer tool does is it automates the process that can otherwise be performed manually via the Properties dialog for individual files. This particular approach is more cumbrous but just as effective as its software-based counterpart, so you can proceed by right-clicking on a specific file, which has been encrypted by Radamant, and selecting Properties in the context menu. The tab named Previous Versions is the next thing to click – it displays available versions of the file by date of the snapshot creation. Pick the latest copy and complete the retrieval by following the prompts.
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Data backups work wonders
Ransomware like Radamant isn’t nearly as almighty and destructive in case you run regular file backups to the cloud or external data media. The virus itself can be completely removed in a matter of minutes, and the distorted information can then be just as easily recovered from the backup. Luckily, this is a growing trend, so ransom Trojans are hopefully going to become less subversive in the near future.
Verify thoroughness of the removal
Having carried out the instructions above, add a finishing touch to the security procedure by running an additional computer scan to check for residual malware activity
