Heran Ransomware |Complete Virus Removal Guidelines

Understanding .heran file virus

Heran Ransomware – Another high-risk member of DJVU ransomware family! This malicious ransomware attacks the main system with the motive to encrypt targeted files. To fulfil its damaging intentions, Heran gains access via multiple methods.

Once, it makes itself comfortable in your system, it initiates its damaging activities. It starts with making the infected data unreadable! Then begins the real game! The hacker asks for hefty ransom in exchange of the decryption key, which is generated for every locked file. The ultimate goal of Heran developers is to lure large amount in the form of bitcoins – most used crypto currency.

However, paying the demanded ransom is not the way out! Scroll down to get the insights of the menace caused by malicious .heran file virus and the ways to stop Heran ransomware. Let’s begin!

Threat Summary

Distribution Techniques

Primarily, these infections are distributed via spam e-mails. These e-mails are sent with deceptive message embedded within the malicious attachment. The source of such e-mails may seem legitimate however, sender hide malicious macros within it. Generally, they are sent using the name of some well-known shipping company. It informs you about an undelivered package or a shipment that you made.

In any case, when you access the attachment in your system, it will release the malicious macros of Heran extension. Once in your system, it will exploit in your system and increase the malicious payload.

Hence, always avoid the suspicious e-mails and delete them immediately from your inbox. The link given may redirect you to questionable websites. Once you reach certain sites, your system will be exposed to the risk of Heran ransomware.

To conclude, we can say, the major two reasons for such infiltration are – the reckless behavior of users and lack of proper knowledge.

Threat Behavior

Being a variant of the most infamous DJVU ransomware family, it has the same methodology! The malicious activity begins with encrypting the files and culminated at extorting money. In order to execute its mal intentions, it infiltrates the system and scans for targeted files. Once the files are located, it appends .heran extension to them and makes them unreadable.

Apart from it, it generates a unique decryption key to recover .Heran files. As the key is secured at the hacker’s server, it is not an easy task to get it back. And, here begins the blackmailing! Hackers say, if you fail to make the payment within the specified time, they will destroy the decryption key and your data will be lost permanently. Hence, with the fear of losing the data/files, victim users get ready to pay asked amount. They got trapped in the hacker’s tricks! Unfortunately, reality has a different face!

In addition to extorting money, the malicious Heran ransomware may alter the Windows registry entries. More specifically Shell sub-key! Eventually, it may result in malicious malware booting along with Windows start-up process.

Details of Ransom Note

After successfully encrypting the files, the malicious crypto virus drops a copy of ransom – demanding message in each folder. The notification of Heran attacks is dropped in a text file named – ‘_readme.txt’. It pops-up the message on your screen every time you try to access any locked file.

Furthermore, the developers ask for hefty amount of ransom in exchange of the .Heran decryption tool. Generally, it demands $980 to enable the decryption key. However, if you are a lucky victim, you can assert a discount of 50% in the ransom. To become the lucky one, you have to contact the hackers within first 72hours of .Heran file virus attack. As a result, the ransom will be reduced to $490 for you. In any case, you have to make the payment in bitcoins!

In addition, if you are unaware about the transactions of bitcoins, hackers provide you the solution. You can contact them at the given e-mail addresses, in case of any difficulty regarding the payment. In case of Heran attack, you can contact the developers on – [email protected] or [email protected] . It is not the end users!

Hackers trick you into believing that you can actually restore data after successful payment. Hence, they allow you to send any one encrypted file, which they decrypt for free. And this is how you fall in the real trap!

Instead of funding the criminals, download Heran ransomware removal tool in your system. Moreover, below are a few possible steps to decrypt .heran files without the key.

Be aware! Be cautious! Do not end up believing these devils!

Removal guidelines for .heran file virus

STEP A: Reboot your system to Safe Mode

Windows 7/ Vista/ XP

1. Click on Windows icon present in the lower left corner of the computer screen.
2. Select and click  Restart.
3. When the screen goes blank, Keep tapping  F8  Key until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
4. With the help of arrow keys on keyboard, Select Safe Mode with Networking  option from the list and press the Enter Key. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.

5 Click on the username and enter the password (if any).

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Press and hold the Shift Key and simultaneously click on the windows icon present in the lower left corner of your computer screen.
2. While the Shift key is still pressed click on the Power button and then click on Restart.
3. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings.
4. When the Startup Settings screen appears which is the first screen to appear after restart, select and click on Enable Safe Mode with Networking. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.
5. Click on the username and enter the password.

STEP B: Delete the suspicious file from Configuration Settings

1. Type “Msconfig” in search box / Run Box, select it and press Enter.
2. Click on “Services” Tab and click on “Hide all Microsoft services”.
3. Select Heran ransomware from the list of remaining services and disable it by removing the tick mark from the checkbox and click on Apply button.

Windows 7

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with Heran ransomware mentioned and remove the check mark.
3. Click on Apply button and then click on OK.

Windows 10

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Take the mouse cursor to ‘Open task Manager‘ link and click on it.  This opens the Task Manager window.
3. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with Heran ransomware mentioned and click on it.
4. Then click on Disable button.

STEP C: Remove malicious file from Command Prompt

Once the system starts, ensure to use an account with administrative privilege to access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

After the user enters admin credentials, Command prompt window is displayed wherein you are entitled to enter the below commands:

1. Type the command “sc delete Heran ransomware” in the command prompt and press Enter.
2. Type “exit” to exit the command prompt and restart the system in safe mode with command prompt.

STEP D: Restore the system files & folders

Method 1 using Control Panel

1. Click on the ‘Start’ button on the taskbar. This will open the Start menu.
2. Click on the ‘Control Panel’ button in the Start menu. This will open the control panel window.
3. In the Control Panel window, click on the ‘View by:’ button on the top right. Select the Large Icon option
4. In the control Panel window click on the ‘Recovery Icon’. This will open a window that will ask ‘Restore the computer to an earlier point in time’.
5. Click on the ‘Open system restore’ button. This will open the ‘system restore ’window where you need to click on the Next Button.
6.  Select the restore point that is prior the infiltration of Heran ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
7. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by Heran ransomware.

OR

Method 2 using Command Prompt

1. Type cmd in the search box and click on the command prompt to open the Command Prompt window. box and clicking on it.
2. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.(Ensure that you in the system32 directory of Windows folder in C Drive)
3. Now type rstrui and press Enter again.
4. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Heran ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
5. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by Heran ransomware.

OR

Method 3 : Directly type ‘rstrui’ in the search box

1. Type ‘Rstrui’ in the search box present on the task bar. This will open the System restore dialog box.

Continue to follow steps 4 & 5 of Method 2 to restore the System Files and settings.

Tips to prevent your system from .heran file virus 

1. Keeping the Operating System Updated- In order to remain protected and avoid such infections, it is recommended to keep your Operating System updated by enabling the automatic update on your system. The systems with outdated or older versions of Operating System become an easy target for the attackers.
2. Resist clicking on spam emails – One of the major techniques used for malware distribution is forwarding spam emails to the user. The system gets infected as soon as the user clicks on the attachment. These mails appear to be genuine, so be aware and resist falling for these tricks.
3. Keep an eye on third party installations- It is quite important that you take due care while installing any third party applications for they are major source of such infections. Such malware programs come bundled with the free applications thereby requiring the user to remain cautious.
4. Regular periodical backup- In order to keep your data and files safe, it is recommended to take regular back up of all your data and files either on an external drive or cloud.
5. Use Anti-Virus Protection- We strongly recommend the use of antivirus protection/internet security in your PC like Vipre and Kaspersky so that it remains safe.
6. Enable the Ad Blocker/Popup Blocker in your browser- Enabling the popup blocker/ ad blocker in your chosen browser will help you to stay protected from annoying adware.