How to remove Diamond Ransomware and decrypt .diamond files

What is Diamond Ransomware

Diamond Ransomware is a malicious infection designed to encrypt system-stored data and blackmail victims into paying the ransom for its return. While running encryption, the virus renames all targeted files with the .diamond extension. This is simply a visual change meant to highlight the fact that users’ system has been infected. Following this, ransomware developers create HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT – a text file containing decryption instructions.

The ransom note states victims should write to cybercriminals’ e-mail and pay some unspecified amount of money (in bitcoin cryptocurrency) in order to obtain the so-called file decoder. In addition, it is also allowed to include 2 blocked files and get them decrypted for free – this way extortionists illustrate their ability to return access to data. Victims are also told they have 72 hours to decide, otherwise, the price for decryption will be doubled. Unfortunately, it is usually complicated or even impossible to decrypt files without the help of cybercriminals. Unless the decryption keys are leaked from the servers of cybercriminals, they are the only figures who have access to them. Paying the ransom is also not recommended since the demanded sum may be extremely high and there is a chance that cybercriminals will fool their victim and not send any promised utilities. Thus, the best method to recover your data for free is only if you have backup copies available. You can also try some tools we tend to include in our tutorials, however, their capabilities may not be enough to deal with files encrypted by Diamon Ransomware specifically- due to the above-mentioned reasons. Note that prior to trying any manual recovery method, it is important to get rid of the infection first. You can do it using the steps in our tutorial below.

How Diamond Ransomware infected your computer

Many ransomware infections are typically spread via trojans, deceptive third-party downloads, fake software updates/installers, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, system exploits, e-mail spam, and other possible channels. A large number of successful infiltrations happen through malicious attachments or links that can be bundled within e-mail spam letters. Cybercriminals can mask such letters under the names of legitimate companies or other parties and force users into opening content attached to it. Doing so is dangerous and may lead to an irreversible malware infection. MS Office documents, PDFs, Executable, Archive, and Javascript are often the formats users may encounter in such types of messages. Beware of opening them and avoid downloading/browsing content on unofficial or dubious pages. Read our guide below to know how one can protect himself against ransomware and other threats in the future.

1. Download Diamond Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .diamond 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 Diamond Ransomware

Diamond Ransomware files:


HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT
{randomname}.exe


Diamond Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .diamond files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

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

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 .diamond 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 Diamond 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 .diamond 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.

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 Diamond Ransomware , in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

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.

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. Diamond 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.