Lost_Files Ransomware (Lost_Files_Encrypt) - How to remove

Lost_Files_Encrypt is the file extension that’s an obvious symptom of the Lost_Files ransomware, an infection that tries to get the victims to pay money in exchange for having their files restored. This ransomware targets Windows computers and is spread by a fake Microsoft email. It was discovered by Xavier Mertens.

Ransomware is the type of malicious software that tries to lock (encrypt) your files. The locked files are renamed to have the “Lost_Files_Encrypt” suffix. They don’t work and if you try to read them, they look like they’re filled with nonsense.

The extortionists who created the Lost_Files ransomware also leave a message in the “Ransomware Lost Files Message.txt” file:

Hi, This is Lost_Files Ransomware, Pay us 500 USD to get our decryption software.
…

So, it’s clear that this virus is only meant to make money to the people who created it – whoever is using the

Lost_Files_Encrypt is somewhat similar to Pack14, Shade8, or Noos ransomware — they all work by the same principle: get the victim to send money to the creators of the ransomware. In the case of Lost_Files, it’s whoever is using the [email protected] email address.

Lost_Files_Encrypt short description:

Type of threat	Ransomware
Lost_Files_Encrypt symptoms	Email from [email protected] with the subject line “Virus Detection On Your Computer!” The email downloads the WSS.zip file Windows Security Scanner.exe is extracted and installs the Lost_Files ransomware Various files are renamed to have the “.Lost_Files_Encrypt” extension The file Ransomware Lost Files Message.txt includes a message asking for $500
Delete Lost_Files ransomware	Use anti-malware tools (SpyHunter)
Restore the files	File backups System restore Shadow volume copies Data recovery

Lost_Files_Encrypt spreads in malicious spam emails

Lost_Files_Encrypt is an example of ransomware that spread using email spam — one of the most common ways for ransomware to spread. The extortionists send out an email with the subject “Virus Detection On Your Computer!” that claims that the recipient’s computer is infected with a “trojan horse” virus that stole their credit card information.

Here is the text of the email:

Hi,

This email has been sent to you, because your windows computer has contracted a trojan horse virus.
The trojan horse virus has been known for collecting information about you(This includes credit card numbers and bank account logins).
So we strongly advise you to block your credit cards and your bank account logins, that you have used on your computer.

Microsoft has developed a scanner that can help you terminate the trojan horse virus.
The scanner has been developed under safeplaces L.L.C. which is a Microsoft subsidiary.
It’s important that you download and install it quickly, because the trojan horse virus will ruin your computer.

Here you can download the security scanner:

In the email, you, the recipient, are not identified in any way, but many people might still be convinced by the authenticity of this email. Microsoft’s name is used and the letter is formatted nicely.

However, a warning from Microsoft about malware on your computer is unlikely to come in email (or online). It’s done because creating a website or an email that copies someone else’s design is easy. Unfortunately, it’s also effective and people still lose money to tech support scams and ransomware.

Be careful of spam emails in the future. If online criminals start using your address, more misleading letters could come it. Dangerous malware, such as Emotet, is known to spread using spam emails, so it’s certainly worth being careful. At least, scan every attachment before you open it and consider using an anti-malware program with real-time protection features.

If you listen to the Lost_Files email, you get an archive that includes the “Windows Security Scanner.exe” file. That’s the ransomware and it needs to be uninstalled before you can get your files back.

How to restore the files and remove Lost_Files_Encrypt

Please don’t pay the $500 ransom that the extortionists are asking for. Not just because it rewards them for their crime or that they might take the money and ignore you. It’s simpler – Lost_Files_Encrypt is a wiper. It doesn’t encrypt the files – it corrupts them. Images, videos, documents, spreadsheets, and other important files are broken.

Luckily, even if you don’t have file backups, it might be possible to recover the files using data recovery software or system restore. These methods don’t try to decrypt data but instead try to restore previous versions. Data recovery would give the best results if you didn’t use your computer since it was encrypted.

But before restoreing the data corrupted by Lost_Files_Encrypt, it’s important to remove the ransomware. You can use any competent anti-malware tool, for example, SpyHunter to find and remove the files. Most reputable security programs detect Lost_Files_Encrypt as malware.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Lost_Files Ransomware (Lost_Files_Encrypt) 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 Lost_Files Ransomware (Lost_Files_Encrypt) has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Lost_Files Ransomware (Lost_Files_Encrypt)

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 Lost_Files Ransomware (Lost_Files_Encrypt). You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Lost_Files Ransomware (Lost_Files_Encrypt) 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 Lost_Files Ransomware (Lost_Files_Encrypt) 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 Lost_Files Ransomware (Lost_Files_Encrypt) 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.

Manual removal