Schwerer ransomware - How to remove

Originally, Autoit was developed for the purpose of building automation scripts. Over the years, the possibilities of using Autoit increased to the point that it was practical to create malware with it. Schwerer crypto-virus has been crafted in Autoit and that makes it not a typical sample to examine. Other characteristics of this variant are more common. AES algorithm for encryption is singled out as the tool to encode data, selected from hard drives. Schwerer crypto-virus, despite consisting of all the necessary elements to be classified as a ransomware, does not strike us as an advanced variant.

Functionality of a Schwerer crypto-virus

Instead, we have our suspicions that free decryption of data is not an unattainable goal. There is a chance that Schwerer virus uses a static key: the same codes of encryption/decryption for all victims. This feature would definitely ease the file-recovery mission. However, there is no point to wonder about the possible solutions to decipher files: a professional tool has already been announced to be available. Click ‘download’ and you will get this free tool straight away.

Schwerer virus has the capacities to encrypt thousands of files and demand a ransom for them. The infection will trigger a table with the demands and instructions. Individual victims will be labeled with a unique identifier code. This combination of random letters and numbers is requested to be sent to [email protected] email address. A sum for the decryption key does not strike us as gigantic, but losing money to hackers is never a pleasant experience. 150 euros translates into 0.13409 BTC and this is the demanded ransom. We could not help but notice that Schwerer virus does not immediately inform its victims about the bitcoin wallet to send these bitcoins to. Instead, the account will be revealed only after infected people have provided hackers with ID numbers.

None of the demands Schwerer virus makes should be met. Since there is a free tool to complete file-decryption without any fee, we hope that people will find this information before doing something they will obviously regret. Sending money to hackers without any reason at all is an action to be upset about. Schwerer crypto-virus does not seem to modify filenames of the data it ruins: we have no knowledge about a unique extension that would be appended. However, we do know the file that could be identified as the payload of this infection. Pawje.exe is the potential culprit.

Guard your files from harm

Files that you find valuable should not be stored in one location: it is important to have multiple sources. One of the possible places to backup data is online storages. Most of the services are reliable and will help you retrieve files anytime you want. For instance, if ransomware corrupts data, you can simply eliminate the infection and download files back from a backup facility. There are also other places to secure your data as well. However, Schwerer ransomware is decryptable with a tool. Scroll up to find the link, starting the download process for this program. Bad news is that not all ransomware variants can be easily defeated. For this reason, it would be best not to depend on free decryption tools and protect your files yourself.

How can users encounter Schwerer ransomware?

Schwerer crypto-virus won’t introduce any novelties in the ransomware-distribution department. Its payload will presumably be offered in rogue email letters. Such messages are usually widely distributed to reach big numbers of people. Usually, these letters are easy to recognize as fake, so we advise you to follow a couple of tips. First of all, pay attention to the email addresses that are indicated as senders. Secondly, make sure that they belong to an official organization or a company. Thirdly, letters that distribute malicious content always contain an attachment or a link to a website.

Before downloading the free decryption tool, we advise you to remove the Schwerer virus. If you pursue the goal of file-recovery while the ransomware is still present, it might encrypt files again. Spyhunter, Plumbytes and Malwarebytes are anti-malware tools that will remove the infection without hardships. The following content is to inform you about the general ways of recovering data and a manual removal option.

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Schwerer 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 Schwerer virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Schwerer 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 Schwerer virus 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 Schwerer 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.