2048 Ransomware Removal Guide

No one wants to deal with the likes of 2048 Ransomware, but sometimes these dangerous infections reach our computers anyway. Cybercriminals are there to make easy money, and 2048 Ransomware helps its creators generate considerable profits by holding our files hostage. By paying the ransom to retrieve your files, we allow these criminals to continue their malicious deeds. Thus, we have to remove 2048 Ransomware from the infected system, and them go through other file recovery options. It is usually possible to retrieve at least some of your files, but of course, the best option is to use a file backup.

What is a file backup? It refers to a storage where you keep copies of your files. It might be an external hard drive or some cloud storage. It means that you need to save copies of your files somewhere else regularly. In fact, some operating systems offer creating a cloud storage drive automatically because so far, it is the best remedy against a ransomware infection. More often than not, it is virtually impossible to get a public decryption key for obscure ransomware infections, so keeping copies of your files is a lot better option that building your file library from scratch.

2048 Ransomware usually comes via spam email attachments. This intruder is part of the Dharma/Crysis ransomware family, and so it doesn’t differ much from VIRUS Ransomware, Deal Ransomware, Nvram Ransowmare, and so on. All these infections even look similar, if we were to take a glance at their ransom notes.

It also means that it would be possible to avoid 2048 Ransomware and other similar intruders if we knew more about their distribution patterns. Our research team says that this program usually comes via spam email attachments.

How often do you open email attachments these days? Do you double-check the sender or do you just click the file without any second thought? Do you often have to deal with files you receive from known third parties? If so, you should consider scanning the received files with a security tool before opening it. Even if you think you know that the file is safe, it is a good precautionary measure. Let’s not forget that 2048 Ransomware is just one of the many infections out there, waiting to attack you.

If you didn’t luck out, and 2048 Ransomware managed to enter your system, you will soon see that all your files get encrypted and you cannot open them anymore. When the encryption is complete, 2048 Ransomware also displays the following ransom note:

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.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be lass than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information.

The ransom note doesn’t say exactly how much you are supposed to pay for the decryption key. It also gives just the email addresses you’re supposed to use to reach these criminals. The same email address can be found in the extension that your files receive once the encryption is complete.

Whatever you do, you should never follow the criminals’ orders. Simply focus on removing 2048 Ransomware from your computer, and then check maybe you have copies of your files saved someplace else. Of course, there is always a chance that a public decryption tool will become available, but you shouldn’t bet everything on that. It is always a good idea to have options B and C ready.

How to Remove 2048 Ransomware

1. Remove the most recent files from Desktop andthe Downloads folder.
2. Delete the FILES ENCRYPTED.txt ransom note from affected directories.
3. Use the Win+E command and open the following directories:
   %APPDATA%
   %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
   %WINDIR%\System32
4. Remove the Info.hta and the random-named EXE file from the directories above.
5. Press Win+R and enter regedit. Press OK.
6. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
7. On the right side, right-click the values associated with the Info.hta and random EXE file and delete them.
8. Perform a fill system scan with SpyHunter.