How to remove Gamma Ransomware and decrypt .gamma files

What is Gamma Ransomware

Gamma Ransomware is file-encrypting virus, categorized as ransomware and belonging to Crysis-Dharma-Cezar family. This is one of the most widespread ransomware families. It got its name due to file extension it adds to encrypted files. Virus uses complex extenion that consists of e-mail adress and unique 8-digit identification number (randomly generated). Here is the template of extension – .id-{8-digit-id}.[{email-address}].gamma. Currently, following extensions were used:

• .id-{id}.[bebenrowan@aol.com].gamma
• .id-{id}.[fidelio.bartyn@aol.com].gamma
• .id-{id}.[godfreynivison@aol.com].gamma
• .id-{id}.[webbizak@aol.com].gamma

After successful encryption, malware creates 2 files: FILES ENCRYPTED.TXT and Info.hta in the folders with encrypted files. Info.hta file contains following message:

All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail bebenrowan@aol.com
Write this ID in the title of your message 1E857D00
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:glynnaddey@aol.com
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

FILES ENCRYPTED.TXT is the short text file with such message:

all your data has been locked us
You want to return?
write email bebenrowan@aol.com or glynnaddey@aol.com

Gamma Ransomware developers demand from 0.05 to 0.5 BTC (BitCoins) for decryption, but offer to decrypt 1 non-archived file for free. The file should be less than 1 Mb. We recommend you to recover 1 random file, as it can help for possible decoding in future. Keep the pair of encrypted and decrypted samples. Currently, there is no decryption tools available for Gamma Ransomware, however, we recommend you to use instructions and tools below. Often, users remove copies and duplicates of documents, photos, videos – infection may not affect deleted files. Some of removed files can be restored by using file recovery software. Read the guide below and remove Gamma Ransomware, only after this we advise you to attempt decrypting .gamma files.

How Gamma Ransomware infected your PC

Gamma Ransomware uses spam mailing with malicious .docx attachments. Such attachments have malicious macros, that runs when user opens the file. This macros downloads executable from the remote server, that, in its turn, starts encryption process. Virus can also use Remote Desktop services to infiltrate victim’s PCs. It is important to know, that this ransomware can encrypt mapped network drives, shared virtual machine host drives, and unmapped network shares. It is necessary to control access to network shares. After encryption, the shadow copies of the files are deleted by the command: vssadmin.exe vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet. Virus assigns certain ID with the victims, that is used to name those files and supposedly to send decryption key. In order to prevent infection with this type of threats in future we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Norton Antivirus.

How to remove Gamma Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Gamma Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Gamma Ransomware files:

Info.hta
{randomfilename}.exe
FILES ENCRYPTED.txt
DHL.exe

Gamma Ransomware registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "filename.exe" = %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\{randomfilename}.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "filename.exe" = %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\{randomfilename}.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "mshta.exe "%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Info.hta"" = mshta.exe "%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Info.hta"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "mshta.exe "C:\Windows\System32\Info.hta"" = "mshta.exe "C:\Windows\System32\Info.hta""

How to decrypt and restore .gamma files

Use automated decryptors

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .gamma 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.

If you are infected with Gamma 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 Phoenix Data Recovery Pro to restore .gamma files

1. Download Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro.
2. Select location to scan for lost files and click Scan button.
3. Wait until Quick and Deep scans finish.
4. Preview found files and restore them.

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 Gamma 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

Regardless of success of protection against ransomware threats, you can save your files using simple online backup. Cloud services are quite fast and cheap nowadays. There is more sense using online backup, than creating physical drives, that can get infected and encrypted when connected to PC or get damaged from dropping or hitting. Windows 10 and 8/8.1 users can find pre-installed OneDrive backup solution from Microsoft. It is actually one of the best backup services on the market, and has reasonable pricing plans. Users of earlier versions can get acquainted with it here. Make sure to backup and sync most important files and folders in OneDrive.

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

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro