How to remove BLACK ICE Ransomware and decrypt .ICE files

What is BLACK ICE Ransomware

BLACK ICE Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts data on a computer and demands a ransom for its decryption. It is a relatively new ransomware that can infect unaware target Windows systems and is already spreading online via a number of online frauds. Once the files are encrypted, the ransomware adds its own .ICE extension to the encrypted files. BLACK ICE Ransomware uses an encryption method that encrypts all the data on a computer, including images, text files, Excel sheets, audio files, videos, etc. The ransomware appends its own extension to every file, creating the ICE_Recovey.txt text files in every directory with the encrypted files. The ransom note usually provides payment info and the threat—how to send payment and how much you need to pay, and what happens if you don’t. Below are the contents of the ransom note:

As of now, there are no known decryption tools for BLACK ICE Ransomware. However, there are anti-ransomware tools and decryption tools that are constantly upgraded, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available. You can preserve encrypted files for future decryption or try measures given in this article to attempt data recovery. Most effective method is to restore from external or online backup, but probably if you landed on this page you don’t have backups. Among standard recovery methods are System Restore, using Windows Previous Versions, shadow copies, but majority of ransomware types block this opportunities. One of the most successful ways to return your files is using file-recovery software, like Stellar Data Recovery Professional. It won’t “decrypt” files, but it can restore copies of documents, photos, videos, that were removed earlier, which happens quite often, when users remove duplicates.

How BLACK ICE Ransomware infected your computer

BLACK ICE Ransomware can infect computers through various methods, including spam emails, hazardous pop-up advertisements, software theft, suspicious connections from social networking sites, and malicious websites. It is paramount for device and user safety to have a reputable anti-virus installed and kept updated. Security software must be used to run regular system scans and to remove detected threats/issues.

1. Download BLACK ICE Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .ICE files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like BLACK ICE Ransomware

BLACK ICE Ransomware files:


ICE_Recovey.txt
{randomname}.exe


BLACK ICE Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .ICE files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .ICE files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .ICE files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with BLACK ICE Ransomware and removed from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .ICE files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like BLACK ICE Ransomware , in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. BLACK ICE Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro