Josephnull Ransomware

Josephnull Ransomware is a file-encrypting threat. Thus, an encounter with it could end in you being unable to open any of your files. On top of this, you might see a message on your screen that shows a skull with red glowing eyes. It might claim that the only way to get your files decrypted is to purchase decryption tools. In other words, you could be asked to pay ransom to get your data back. Researchers say that paying the ransom is risky because you cannot be sure that you will get what you pay for. Thus, if you do not want to take any chances, you may want to look for other ways to get your files back, like getting your backup copies. If you want to learn more about it before deciding what to do, we invite you to read our full article. At the end of it, you can find deletion instructions that show how you could erase Josephnull Ransomware manually.

We wish to start with an explanation of how this malicious application could end up on your computer. Unfortunately, victims of threats like Josephnull Ransomware are often tricked into launching them. For example, they may receive emails saying that they need to open the attached links or files, and once they do, the system gets infected.

Moreover, sometimes malicious launchers are uploaded onto harmful file-sharing websites. Thus, some users might download and launch such threats while believing that they are launching an installer of a program, game, or update. If you do not want this to happen to you, we recommend not to open any email attachments or links in messages if you were not expecting to receive them, if such content comes from unknown senders, or if something raises your suspicion. Also, we advise not to download files from unreliable file-sharing websites. If you are ever in doubt about a file, do not forget that you can always employ a reliable antimalware tool and perform a quick scan to check the file out.

If Josephnull Ransomware’s installer gets launched, the malware might create a copy of itself in the %TEMP% directory as well as some Registry entries. Once it is settled in, the threat ought to start the encryption process. The malicious application might encipher all documents, photos, archives, videos, and files alike during it. The data that should be left unaffected ought to be the one belonging to the operating system or other software that could be installed on the victim’s device. Users can recognize encrypted files without even trying to open them as all encrypted files ought to get an additional extension titled .crypted, for example, panda_habitat.pdf.crypted. After Josephnull Ransomware encrypts targeted files, victims ought to notice that the malware has replaced their wallpapers. It is also impossible to miss a message on top of your screen when it shows a scary skull picture and contains a text written mostly in red letters.

Josephnull Ransomware’s ransom note explains that users who agree to pay ransom can get their files back, and users who refuse will lose their data forever. This is not exactly the case if you have backup copies. If such a case, you could replace all or at least part of your files that got encrypted with their copies. We highly recommend using this opportunity if you have it because you cannot be sure that hackers will hold on to their end of the deal. In other words, they may promise to deliver decryption tools after you pay, but it is possible that you might never get them. If you refuse to pay, we advise erasing Josephnull Ransomware with no hesitation.

Our researchers say that there are a couple of ways to get rid of the malware. If you feel experienced enough, you could try to delete Josephnull Ransomware manually. The instructions available below this paragraph can guide you through this process, although we cannot guarantee that they will work for everyone. The other solution might be much easier as it does not require you to do everything on your own. To be more precise, the other option is to employ a reliable antimalware tool and let it perform a full system scan. Afterward, you ought to be allowed to remove Josephnull Ransomware and other identified items by pressing the displayed deletion button.

Restart the computer in Safe Mode

Windows 8/Windows 10

1. Press Win+I for Windows 8 or open 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. Go to 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 Josephnull Ransomware

1. Press Win+E.
2. Check these locations:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
3. Look for the threat’s installer (it could be any recently created file).
4. Select the malicious application’s launcher, right-click it, and press Delete.
5. Then locate this path: %TEMP%
6. Find the threat’s installer’s copy (it should be a randomly named executable file), right-click it, and press Delete.
7. Look for files called HOW_TO_DECYPHER_FILES.hta or similarly, right-click them, and choose Delete.
8. Exit File Explorer.
9. Press Win+R.
10. Type Regedit and press Enter.
11. Go to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
12. Find value names called LegalNoticeCaption and LegalNoticeText, right-click them, and press Delete or replace their values.
13. Exit Registry Editor.
14. Empty Recycle bin.
15. Restart the system.