Grethen Ransomware

It doesn’t seem like the ransomware endemic will disappear any time soon. Grethen Ransomware is yet another infection that enters computers accidentally, and then users need to scramble to save their files from encryption. That is something they usually cannot do.

While removing Grethen Ransomware is not that complicated, terminating the infection will not bring your files back. That’s not how ransomware works. For that, you may need a file backup, and if you do not have one, you may have to explore all sorts of different file recovery options to get your files back. Do not hesitate to address a professional if necessary.

Grethen Ransomware belongs to the Scarab Ransomware family. It means that this infection is similar to Scarab-Good Ransomware, Scarab-Glutton Ransomware, Scarab-Cybergod Ransomware, and many others. However, it doesn’t mean that we can use the same decryption keys that were used on the previously released programs to restore the files encrypted by Grethen Ransomware. Usually, the decryption keys for each infection are different even if they come from the same family. Thus, rather than depending on researchers to come up with a decryption key, you should protect your system from ransomware in the first place.

For that, you need to know how Grethen Ransomware spreads. Our research team says that there is nothing surprising about the program’s distribution tactics because it employs the usual ransomware distribution methods. Usually, the most common ransomware distribution method is spam email. It also means that users can avoid getting infected with Grethen Ransomware if only they were more attentive. But spam emails happen to be quite sophisticated these days, and sometimes they look like legitimate messages from reliable sources. For instance, a spam email might tell you that you have to check a specific document, and that it is urgent.

However, the urgent tone is something that gives away a spam message or a phishing attack immediately. The truth is that you should at least scan the attached files with a security tool of your choice before opening. Not just because the files might be dangerous. It should be a regular habit that would definitely help you avoid the likes of Grethen Ransomware.

What’s more, Grethen Ransomware may also come through unsafe RDP (remote desktop protocol) as some social engineering campaign. Either way, it proves that users have to be careful when they deal with incoming files because if the files come from unfamiliar source, they might carry a dangerous infection.

Now, if Grethen Ransomware manages to enter your system, there is nothing new about the way this program behaves. Like most of the ransomware infections, it will encrypt personal files, scrambling the information within them, and making it impossible for the system to read them. On the top of that, Grethen Ransomware also adds an extension to all the affected files, so it is really easy to see which files were affected by the encryption. Along with the encryption, the program drops ransom notes that inform users how they are supposed to purchase the decryption keys.

The ransom note doesn’t say how much you are supposed to pay for it. It only states the obvious (that your files have been encrypted) and that now you have to contact these criminals through the given email address. At the same time, there is no guarantee that the criminals will contact you back. So, it goes without saying that you should never pay a single penny for the decryption key. Encouraging these criminals to proceed with their malicious activities is not an option.

While removing Grethen Ransomware from the system may not be too complicated because the malware tends to delete itself once the encryption is complete. So, it is only recommended to delete the latest files from the %AppData% directory. On the other hand, it would be for the best to run a system scan with a security tool to determine which malicious files have to be removed for good.

As for your files, it is possible to restore them if you have a system back-up. It could be copies of your files either on an external hard drive or a cloud drive. If you do to have this back-up, you might want to address a professional for other potential file recovery options. Normally, there are ways to retrieve encrypted files.

How to Remove Grethen Ransomware

1. Press Win+R and type %AppData%. Click OK.
2. Delete osk.exe from the directory (if present).
3. Press Win+R and type %TEMP%. Click OK.
4. Delete the most recent files from the directory.
5. Scan your computer with SpyHunter.