Nusm Ransomware - How to remove

Nusm is file-encrypting ransomware. Besides breaking files, it might disable programs, block websites, and install additional malware. It can be very harmful.

It’s important to delete Nusm ransomware as quickly as possible, but you might also need to solve the problem of Nusm breaking files (documents, media, and others). There is no easy way to restore the files without paying the extortion, but there are a few possible solutions.

About Nusm ransomware:

Classification	Trojan, ransomware.
How Nusm infects computers	It spreads with pirated programs, it encrypts files and changes their names, it creates ransom notes which ask for a ransom.
How to protect yourself from ransomware	Backup your files, avoid pirating or be very careful when you do it, use good antivirus protection.
How to delete Nusm ransomware	Find and remove malware with antivirus programs (Spyhunter, others), reset your passwords if needed.

How Nusm encrypts files

Nusm ransomware is downloaded by infected files. It is likely downloaded together with spyware and other malicious programs. Here are some things you might notice after a Nusm infection:

• File backups are deleted.
• Task Manager gets disabled.
• You might see a fake Windows Update pop-up.
• Some programs quit.
• Files change icons and won’t open.
• Files change types and names (you can see this if you have set your File Explorer to show file extensions).
• Files called “_readme.txt” appear in many folders.
• Some websites won’t load.

As the clearest symptom of a Nusm infection, files change their names to get a second extension, “nusm”, like this:

document.docx.nusm

This is not what causes files to not open, though. Nusm changes the inside contents of the files, breaking them. Then it asks the victims to pay hundreds of dollars in extortion to get their files back:

Nusm ransomware is part of the Djvu family. It is very similar to Igvm, Rejg, and other Djvu-type ransomware.

How to get back the data that was locked by Nusm

The instructions for deleting Nusm are below. But first, if you didn’t have a backup of your files, then you might want to think carefully about how you might recover your data.

Nusm uses cryptography to break files. Plainly, there’s no way to reverse this without paying the extortion.

There’s one rare exception: if your decryption key is shared by another victim. Check this Emsisoft page for more.

Next, file recovery tools (EaseUS) might help you restore some of the lost data.

Nusm ransomware might fail to encrypt some data. Check all of your folders.

Finally, file repair tools and services can help restore some data from some files. As Nusm might only encrypt portions of the larger files, such as archives, images, and audio recordings, some data in those files might be recoverable.

How to avoid ransomware

As Nusm ransomware spreads via pirated content, avoid pirating. Use legal sites to download your programs. Look for open-source alternatives to commercial apps.

If you must pirate, then there are still a few things you can do to stay as safe as possible:

• Block ads to avoid malicious redirects.
• Only use reputable sites.
• Keep in touch with a community and ask questions whenever you’re unsure about something.
• Use a good antivirus program and do not turn it off. In addition, test the files you download with online malware scanners (such as VirusTotal) and Windows sandbox.

How to delete Nusm ransomware

Nusm, all the malware that was installed with it, and the files that initially downloaded the infection all need to be deleted. In addition, settings for the hosts file and the Task Manager need to be fixed.

You can remove Nusm and other threats by using an antivirus program like Spyhunter. you can reset your Windows, but it might not remove some of the malware. In that case, it’s still advised to scan your device a good antivirus program or to format your drive.

Important -- edit the hosts file to unblock security websites

TL DR : The hosts file is edited to block security sites Before the virus can be removed, it's necessary to fix the hosts file (the file which controls which addresses connect to which IPs). That is the reason the majority of security websites is inaccessible when infected with this particular parasite. This infection edits this file to stop certain websites, including anti-malware download sites, from being accessed from the infected computer, making browsers return the "This site can't be reached" error. Luckily, it's trivial to fix the file and remove the edits that were made to it.

Find and edit the hosts file

The hosts file can be found on C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc/hosts. If you don't see it, change the settings to see hidden files.

1. In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, find Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options.
4. Open the View tab.
5. Open Advanced settings.
6. Select "Show hidden files...".
7. Select OK.

Open this file with administrator privileges.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter "notepad".
2. When Notepad shows up in the result, right-click on it.
3. In the menu, choose "Run as administrator"
4. File->Open and browse for the hosts file.

The hosts file should look like this: Delete additional lines that they connect various domain names to the wrong IP address. Save the file.

Download and run the antivirus program

After that, download antivirus programs and use them to remove the ransomware, the trojan, and other malware. Spyhunter (https://www.2-viruses.com/reviews/spyhunter/dwnld/).

Automatic Malware removal tools

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Nusm 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 Nusm Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Nusm 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 Nusm 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 Nusm 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.