Heropoint ransomware - How to remove

Heropoint ransomware virus is an example of a crypto-malware threat. It is currently in-development stage and does not fully function. While it is supposed to encrypt files, it does not implement this feature because of a flaw. There had been many infections that were first detected as in-dev viruses. For instance, Red Boot infection was not working properly at first, but hackers did release a fully-functioning version. Therefore, it is possible that this Heropoint Ransomware will also play out the same scenario.

Heropoint crypto-virus is still in development and will not ruin your data

Even though Heropoint virus does not encrypt files, it does show a lock-screen as soon as it infects an operating system. The message on the lock-screen states that victims’ precious files have been encrypted and they have to pay $20 for their decryption. The transaction has to be made via the bitcoin payment system which is custom for mostly all crypto-viruses like Skeleton or Satan Cryptor 2. Latter ransom is not the lowest that we have seen: Tyrant infection requires only $15 dollars for file-decryption.

Heropoint crypto-malware does not mark files with one specific extension. In fact, if it were to function properly, it would append random numbers to the encrypted data. Due to this feature, it might be difficult to figure out which ransomware virus has attacked your computer. However, all you have to do is look at the lock-screen and notice the name “Heropoint”.

There is one specific reason why the file-encryption does not happen. Heropoint virus does have a pretty standard XOR routine (just like Blackhat virus), but it is overloaded and ends in failure. Because of this malfunction, this ransomware does not encode any of the digital data. Even if the malware would be working properly, it would only target 11 file types. However, the authors of Heropoint crypto-virus have selected to target files that usually contain users’ personal information or work-related content: .png, .jpg, .exe, .pptx, .txt, .mp4, .mp3, .ico, .html.

If the Heropoint crypto-malware starts fully functioning, will it be possible to recover files for free?

At this point, it is unknown whether the full version could be decryptable. Authors of Heropoint virus might have released this ransomware as a test run, and might have bigger plans for this infection in the future. However, for the time being, it should not be considered as a huge threat. Since it does not encrypt files, there is no need to pay the demanded $20. In addition to this, please do not contact hackers via [email protected]. It is unusual for crooks to select Gmail as their emailing service.

If the Heropoint ransomware starts encrypting files, it is appropriate to check a couple of things before paying the ransom. First of all, take a look whether the infection has not removed Shadow Volume Copies. You might be able to restore them. In addition to this, you could try recovering digital data with the help from universal tools. Of course, there is still hope that the full version is going to be decryptable. Security specialists might release a free decrypter and all your troubles will go away.

The removal and distribution of this Heropoint ransomware virus

Since the Heropoint malware is still in-development, it is not being transmitted to potential victims. However, its full version might be transmitted through deceptive email letters and online advertisements. If you notice an odd email message in your account, please do not act hastily. Check whether the sender of the letter is reliable. Downloading attachments or following links is never the right choice to make.

As for the removal of this ransomware threat, we have included guidelines below. Even though manual removal might work, we do think that it is best to have an anti-malware tool. Spyhunter will not disappoint with this sophisticated features. Since there are more and more malware viruses being created every day, we hope that you will seriously consider getting an anti-malware tool for your operating system.

How to recover Heropoint ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Heropoint ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Heropoint ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Heropoint ransomware . You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Heropoint ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Heropoint ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Heropoint ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.