Horsedeal Ransomware

Horsedeal Ransomware is a threat that adds the .horsedeal extension to the files it encrypts, for example, panda.jpg.horsedeal, and shows a picture with horses. Users should be unable to open files with the mentioned extension as their computers ought to be unable to read them. To fix this, the threat’s creators might suggest purchasing a decryptor from them that would restore all files to normal. Naturally, we advise against agreeing to this because you cannot know for sure if the cybercriminals will keep up with their promise to deliver you their decryptor. You can read more about this malicious application further in this article, and if you need any help while erasing Horsedeal Ransomware, you may want to have a look at the removal instructions added at the end of our report.

One of the things you might want to learn about Horsedeal Ransomware is how it might be distributed. Our cybersecurity experts say that there are a lot of ways for such a malicious application to be spread. For instance, victims could receive the malware’s launcher via Spam emails. Such messages might provide various reasons why you should open the attached file immediately. To make it easier to convince potential victims, hackers could make malicious attachments look like harmless text documents or pictures. Thus, you must investigate all emails and files that come with them thoughtfully before you decide whether you should trust them or not. No doubt, the easiest way to determine if a file is dangerous or not is to scan it with a reliable antimalware tool. We recommend doing the same to unreliable files downloaded or obtained from the Internet.

If the malware’s launcher is opened, Horsedeal Ransomware should check if a user has any of the following languages installed: Kazakh, Belarusian, Tajik, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyz, Tatar, Azerbaijani, and Armenian. That is because the threat was programmed not to encipher files if one of these listen languages is detected. If the mentioned languages are not found, the malicious application ought to look for targeted files. Our researchers say that it might be targeting all data located on a computer that is not related to Windows. Plus, it looks like the malware might be able to encrypt files that are located in removable media devices connected to an infected machine. Thus, victims who encounter this malicious application might receive lots of damage. As you see, Horsedeal Ransomware encrypts targeted files with a robust encryption algorithm. As a result, affected files become unreadable until they get decrypted.

The bad news is that to decrypt files, you have to have a special decryptor. The hackers behind Horsedeal Ransomware might have such tools as they should offer to purchase them in their ransom note that should be called #Decryption#.txt. This document might appear in all directories containing affected files. Also, opening it should reveal a message from the hackers, which ought to say that users who want to get decryption tools should contact the malicious application’s creators via ICQ or Jabber. The note does not speak about having to pay a ransom, but it suggests a user will be asked for money as it says: “Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price.” Also, hackers might say that you could get tricked by third parties. While it is true, it is also true that you could get scammed by the Horsedeal Ransomware’s developers too.

Provided you do not want to put your savings at risk, we advise not to pay the ransom. Also, if you want to secure your system, we recommend erasing Horsedeal Ransomware. If you want to get rid of it manually, you could use the instructions placed below. However, it might be easier to install a reliable antimalware tool, scan your computer with it, and then remove Horsedeal Ransomware and other issues that could be detected by pressing the displayed deletion button.

Restart the computer in Safe Mode

Windows 8/Windows 10

1. Tap Win+I for Windows 8 or open Start menu for Windows 10.
2. Press the Power button.
3. Click and hold Shift, then click Restart.
4. Pick Troubleshoot and choose Advanced Options.
5. Go to Startup Settings and click Restart.
6. Press F5 and restart the PC.

Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7

1. Navigate to Start, select Shutdown options, and pick Restart.
2. Press and hold F8 when the PC starts restarting.
3. Mark Safe Mode with Networking.
4. Select Enter and log on.

Remove Horsedeal Ransomware

1. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Choose Task Manager and select Processes.
3. Find a process belonging to the threat.
4. Mark it and click End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Click Win+E.
7. Find these paths:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
8. Find the malicious application’s launcher (suspicious file downloaded before your computer became infected).
9. Right-click it and select Delete.
10. Find files called #Decryption#.txt, right-click them, and select Delete.
11. Exit File Explorer.
12. Empty Recycle Bin.
13. Restart the computer.