What is Minotaur?
Minotaur is a new ransomware virus, that is actively spreading around the internet starting from October, 2018. The virus tries to infect your computer using spam emails, fake installers, updaters, crack software, then it will encrypt all the important files. This ransomware adds .Lock name as an extension to the encoded files. In this article you can learn how to remove Minotaur ransomware and decrypt .Lock files.
Once data on your computer is encrypted, Minotaur will drop a ransom note in each directory with the enciphered data- How To Decrypt Files.txt. You can find demands and instruction on how to pay the ransom for decryption key in this file. This is what Minotaur ransom note contains:
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(KEY) : J3oLtCrE14ELmziDhz1lPgRMxBvcPiW01t4eI63Ffk8kqMaL7SSRrI***
(EMAIL) : minotaur0428blaze.it
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ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED BY (MINOTAUR) RANSOMWARE!
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FOR DECRYPT YOUR FILES NEED TO PAY US A (0.125 BTC)!
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FILES ARE ENCRYPTED BY (MINOTAUR) RANSOMWARE!
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Minotaur is a typical ransomware, its main purpose is to force you to pay them. After finishing encrypting process, the ransomware will state that there are no ways to recover your files but to pay ransom. Cyber criminals demand ransom In BitCoins. Once you’ve done payment, they are supposed to send you decryption key. But you should know that cyber criminals are not going to give you a decryption key. Mostly they are just ignoring their victims. Use this guide to remove Minotaur ransomware and recover your data.
How to remove Minotaur from your computer?
Unfortunately, there are no possible ways to remove Minotaur ransomware manually, because the infection goes too deep into your system. You may remove the virus only with automatic removal tool, use this one to clean your system from Minotaur ransomware.
SpyHunter provides an opportunity to remove 1 detected malware for free during trial period. The full version of the program costs $39,99 (you get 6 months of subscription). By clicking the button you agree to EULA and Privacy Policy. Downloading will start automatically.
How to decrypt files encrypted by Minotaur?
Once you’ve removed virus, you are probably thinking of recovering files from encryption. Let’s take a look at possible ways of decrypting your data.
Decrypt files with automated decryption tools
Unfortunately, due to novelty of Minotaur ransomware, there are no available automatic decryptors for this virus yet. Still, there is no need to invest in malicious scheme by paying ransom. You are able to recover files manually.
Decrypt files manually
You can try to use one of these methods in order to restore your encrypted data manually.
Recover data with Data Recovery
- Download and install Data Recovery
- Select drives and folders with your files, then click Scan.
- Choose all the files in a folder, then press on Restore button.
- Manage export location.
The download is an evaluation version for recovering files. To unlock all features and tools, purchase is required ($49.99-299). By clicking the button you agree to EULA and Privacy Policy. Downloading will start automatically.
Restore data with Windows Previous Versions
This feature is working on Windows Vista (not Home version), Windows 7 and later versions. Windows saves copies of files and folders which you can use to restore data on your computer. In order to restore data from Windows Backup, take following steps:
- Open My Computer and search for the folders you want to restore;
- Right-click on the folder and choose Restore previous versions option;
- The option will show you the list of all the previous copies of the folder;
- Select restore date and the option you need: Open, Copy and Restore.
Restore the system with System Restore
You can always try to use System Restore in order to roll back your system to its condition before infection infiltration. All the Windows versions include this option.
- Type restore in the Search tool;
- Click on the result;
- Choose restore point before the infection infiltration;
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
How to protect PC from Minotaur?
It’s pretty difficult task to get rid of any ransomware, including Minotaur. But you can easily prevent any infection of your PC. HitmanPro.Alert’s CryptoGuard can help you with this problem. It’s one of the best anti-ransomware applications. No matter how sneaky it is, HitmanPro.Alert’s CryptoGuard will stop Minotaur infiltration to your system. After detection, this program removes all the related to the ransomware data and prevents your file from being encrypted.