KeyHolder

KeyHolder, developed by the same people as CryptoBit and CTB-Locker, is a ransomware program that presents a serious threat to your computer files. If caught unprepared, there won’t be much you can do when it activates, and conventional means of securing your computer won’t be effective. Unlike some more benign examples of computer security threats, the developers of KeyHolder have one objective, which is to get your money. They try to achieve this with one rule. All is fair when making money from computer users.

KeyHolder mostly gets on your system via email attachments. Each time you open an email from a sender you do not trust completely, you risk falling victim to cybercriminals. The attachment could contain a ransomware program like KeyHolder or an exploit which would allow an attacker to easily access your computer and install dangerous programs without your knowledge and consent. Professional antimalware tools could serve to remedy this problem.

Similar to CryptoBit and CTB-Locker, KeyHolder works by encrypting the files on your computer. Then, it asks you to pay $500 for a decryption key. It is a hard call to decide if it is worth it to pay your attackers. While considering it, you should remember that these people are criminals. They should not be trusted to not go back on their word.

Unless you took precautions and backed up your files to an external hard drive or a cloud service beforehand, KeyHolder is absolutely devastating to your system. While there is nothing impossible, reverting KeyHolder damage is sure to be expensive. Conventional means like System Restore points and other system restore tools will do nothing, as this ransomware can destroy restoration files before you can use them.

It can be very difficult to start over after a KeyHolder attack. We believe that you should download an industry-standard malware scanner, like SpyHunter, as your first priority. It is quite likely that it will find more than one threat when a full system scan is finished. Professional software can remove threats easily. One more thing you should do is back up your data in the future. Take this misfortune as a learning experience and do not repeat the same mistakes in the future. Speaking of mistakes, never open emails, unless you trust their sender without reservations. Even if you do, double-check the email address, as cybercriminals often send dangerous mail from email addresses that closely resemble those of well-known companies.

How to download SpyHunter

Windows XP

1. Restart your computer.
2. Before BIOS loads, tap F8 repeatedly.
3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.
4. Click Yes on the confirmation box.
5. Go to http://www.pcthreat.com/download-sph and download SpyHunter.
6. Install the program and scan your system.

Windows 7

1. Reboot your computer.
2. Repeatedly tap F8 before BIOS loads.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.
4. Go to http://www.pcthreat.com/download-sph and download our recommended tool.
5. Install SpyHunter, scan your system and remove any threats.

Windows 8

1. Press Win+R on your keyboard.
2. Enter msconfig.exe and click OK.
3. Go to the Boot tab, choose Network under Boot options.
4. Make sure that Safe boot is also checked.
5. Click Okay and choose Restart.
6. Once your computer restarts, go to http://www.pcthreat.com/download-sph.
7. Download and install the program and run a full scan of your computer.
8. Remove any threats.
9. When done with the removal, repeat the first two steps again.
10. Choose Normal startup in General tab and restart your PC.

Windows 8.1

1. Press Win+R, enter msconfig.exe, and click OK.
2. In the Boot tab, under Boot options, check the Safe boot box and choose Network.
3. Click Okay and choose Restart to reboot your system.
4. Once Windows loads, go to http://www.pcthreat.com/downloads-sph.
5. Download SpyHunter and install it.
6. Run a full system scan, remove all threats, and repeat the first two steps once more.
7. Choose Normal startup in General tab and reboot your PC as before.