How to remove Erica Encoder Ransomware and decrypt your files

What is Erica Encoder Ransomware

Erica Encoder is a ransomware infection that uses AES algorithms to encrypt user’s data. All files that experience a touch of the virus, change their names to a randomly-generated string of symbols. As an example, the original 1.mp4 will lose its initial name and appear as something like this R29vZ24lIENocm9tZS5s3ms9.qgazlb. Then, once all files get assigned with an encryption cipher, Erica Encoder creates a ransom note called HOW TO RESTORE ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT that is supposed to explain how to restore your data.

Unfortunately, there is no information given on that topic. No e-mails or links to pay the ransom are provided. This could mean that this version is still under development and has not been launched just yet. Moreover, the text is mostly written in Ukrainian and Russian, which indicates Erica Encoder is developed for the Russian-spoken community. At the end of the ransom message, extortionists might spell some jokes to mock at desperate victims. One of them is “Делай вовремя бэкапы, неудачник” which literally means “Do backups on a schedule, loser”. There is actually an element of truth in this statement because this is the only way to restore your data completely. If you have an external backup created prior to the infection, you should delete Erica Encoder first, and then plug external drives to copy original files back to your PC. Whatever the case, follow our guide to learn more about protection and decryption measures to restore the affected data.

How Erica Encoder Ransomware infected your computer

Cyber experts tease out a range of vectors abused by swindlers to push ransomware infections. These are trojans, fake software cracking tools, backdoors, keyloggers, unprotected RDP configuration, and e-mail spam. Trojans are the programs meant to cause chains of unwanted infections. They can be bundled within spam messages to force users into opening the attached files. If opened, you may be attacked by various types of malware through the background mode. This means that everything will happen in the blink of an eye – data encryption and other possible ramifications to jiggle your privacy. Bear in mind that all infiltrations happen due to uncareful behavior whilst using the web. Our advice is to avoid clicking on suspicious content, especially if you received it from an unknown source. In our guide, you will find a list of utilities that will grant a safe and private experience when surfing the web.

1. Download Erica Encoder Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for your 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 Erica Encoder Ransomware

Erica Encoder Ransomware files:


RECOVER-FILES.txt
b.dll
testbuild.pdb
{randomfilename}.exe


Erica Encoder Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore your files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt your 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 your files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of 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 Erica Encoder Ransomware and removed it 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 your 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 Erica Encoder 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 storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Erica Encoder 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