Usam Ransomware

Usam Ransomware encrypts files and appends the .usam extension, making it easy to identify locked files just by looking at their titles. For example, a picture named cactus.jpg would become cactus.jpg.usam after being encrypted by this infection. In case you notice the mentioned extension on your files and know nothing about this threat or ransomware in general, we recommend reading our full article before deciding what to do next. In the text, we talk about where the malware might come from, what it might do on your system, and how to erase Usam Ransomware, and why we recommend eliminating it. At the end of the article, we provide instructions that show how to delete the malware manually. However, keep in mind that they may not work for everyone and that the process might be challenging for inexperienced users.

The first thing that users who want to avoid encountering threats like Usam Ransomware in the future ought to know is how such malicious applications can be spread. Our researchers say that the malware could be distributed through email attachments, file-sharing websites, and pop-ups or ads. Thus, we highly recommend not to interact with email attachments or links in messages received from unknown or questionable senders as well as stay away from unreliable file-sharing websites and pop-ups or ads coming from unfamiliar or untrustworthy sources.

It is safest to interact with content only when you are confident that it is safe to do so. For instance, to be sure you could scan attachments and files received or downloaded from the Internet with a reputable antimalware tool first. You can also try researching email addresses, websites, and various other details that could be available for you before interacting with any questionable content. In short, you should stay attentive and alert as well as keep a reliable antimalware tool if you want to protect your system against ransomware or other malicious applications.

What if you accidentally open Usam Ransomware’s launcher? The malicious application might create data that is mentioned in our deletion instructions that you should find below this article. After it settles in, the malware should detect its targeted files, such as pictures, photos, videos, and various documents, and then encrypt them with a robust encryption algorithm. As mentioned earlier, the malware ought to append the .usam extension to each encrypted file. Since encrypted files become unreadable, victims should be unable to open them. Unfortunately, the process can be reversed only with unique decryption tools that are difficult to come by. Truth be told, the hackers might be the only ones who have them, and there are no guarantees that they will share them with you even if you put up with all of their demands.

As usual, hackers behind Usam Ransomware ought to ask their victims to pay a ransom. According to the ransom note, that ought to be created soon after the malware finishes encrypting targeted files, users have to pay 980 US dollars. However, the message might say that users can pay only half of it if they contact the hackers via email in 72 hours. To encourage victims to do so, the malware’s creators may promise to decrypt a few files free of charge to prove that they have the needed tools. They may also promise to send decryption tools as soon as they receive the ransom.

The bad news is that the hackers may not bother to send the promised decryption tools. Since it would be impossible to take your money back, there is a risk that you could lose your money in vain if hackers decide not to hold on to their end of the deal. This is why we advise thinking carefully if you want to deal with hackers behind this threat. If you do not want to risk your savings, we recommend concentrating on the malware’s deletion. The reason we advise removing Usam Ransomware is that it might have the ability to restart with the operating system, and if it does, it is possible that it could encrypt newly created files as well.

Users who decide to erase Usam Ransomware have two options. The first one if to remove the malicious application manually. The process could be complicated even while using our deletion instructions that are available below. As you see, we cannot be sure that they will work for everyone. However, there is another way to delete Usam Ransomware. You could employ a reliable antimalware tool like SpyHunter and perform a full system scan. After it, you should be able to eliminate all data belonging to the threat and other identified malicious applications by pressing the provided removal button.

Restart the computer in Safe Mode

Windows 8/Windows 10

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

Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7

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

Remove Usam Ransomware

1. Press Win+E.
2. Check these locations:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
3. Look for the threat’s installer, e.g., updatewin.exe; then right-click it and press Delete.
4. Then locate these paths:
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
5. Find the threat’s created directories with random names that should contain copies of the malware’s launcher (e.g., 2a9ea166-82c4-499d-9f16-9e28ac1b8ef4), right-click them, and press Delete.
6. Recheck the following paths:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
7. Locate files called script.ps1 or similarly, right-click them and press Delete.
8. Find this path: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
9. Look for a file called Time Trigger Task or similarly, right-click it and choose Delete.
10. Exit File Explorer.
11. Press Win+R.
12. Type Regedit and press Enter.
13. Go to this location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
14. Find a value name that might be called SysHelper, right-click it, and press Delete.
15. Exit Registry Editor.
16. Empty Recycle bin.
17. Restart the system.