How to remove HaroldSquarepants Ransomware and decrypt .247_haroldsquarepants files

What is HaroldSquarepants Ransomware

HaroldSquarepants Ransomware is a malicious threat designed to encrypt files on infected systems, demanding a ransom payment in exchange for decryption. Part of the GlobeImposter ransomware family, this malware targets a variety of file types, rendering them inaccessible by appending a distinctive .247_haroldsquarepants extension. For instance, a file previously named document.docx would be altered to document.docx.247_haroldsquarepants, effectively locking the user out of their own data. Employing robust cryptographic standards, such as RSA and AES encryption algorithms, HaroldSquarepants ensures that decrypting the files without the provided decryption key is highly unlikely. Typically, after the encryption process is complete, victims will find a ransom note created in an HTML file named how_to_back_files.html within the affected directory. This note outlines the predicament, instructs victims on how to contact the attackers, and warns against using third-party recovery tools, emphasizing the risk of permanent data loss.

Currently, there are no known free decryption tools available for this particular ransomware strain, making the recovery of files a challenging ordeal. While efforts are ongoing within the cybersecurity community to develop effective countermeasures, users are highly discouraged from paying the ransom, as it does not guarantee the return of data and incentivizes further criminal activity. If you are impacted by HaroldSquarepants Ransomware, your best course of action is to focus on comprehensive removal strategies to prevent additional file lockages and explore alternative data restoration methods, such as reverting to previously created backups. If you’ve practiced due diligence and maintained regular backups, recovering your files through this method remains the safest and most effective option. Always ensure your systems are safeguarded with the latest antivirus solutions and keep backups isolated from your primary network to mitigate the risks associated with these and similar ransomware attacks.

How HaroldSquarepants Ransomware infects computers

HaroldSquarepants Ransomware, a member of the GlobeImposter family, typically infiltrates computers through phishing attacks and social engineering tactics. Cybercriminals often disguise the malicious payload as legitimate files, which are distributed via infected email attachments, malicious links, and compromised websites. Common file formats used to deliver this ransomware include documents, executables, and compressed archives. Once the attachment is opened or the link is clicked, the ransomware is activated, beginning the encryption process on the victim’s files. Additionally, HaroldSquarepants can exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software or use drive-by downloads to silently infiltrate systems. To further propagate, this ransomware may spread through infected local networks and removable storage devices, making it crucial for users to maintain updated security measures and practice caution with unsolicited communications.

1. Download HaroldSquarepants Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .247_haroldsquarepants 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 HaroldSquarepants Ransomware

HaroldSquarepants Ransomware files:


how_to_back_files.html
{randomname}.exe


HaroldSquarepants Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .247_haroldsquarepants files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .247_haroldsquarepants 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 .247_haroldsquarepants 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 HaroldSquarepants 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 .247_haroldsquarepants files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select the type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose the 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 a 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 are no items in the list, choose an alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it, and you will see a 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 an 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 HaroldSquarepants 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. HaroldSquarepants 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