How to remove Gengar Ransomware and decrypt .gengar files

What is Gengar Ransomware

Gengar Ransomware is a malicious software designed to encrypt files on an infected system, making them inaccessible to the user until a ransom is paid. Upon infection, it appends the .gengar file extension to all encrypted files, effectively locking them away from access. For instance, a file such as photo.jpg would be renamed to photo.jpg.gengar, indicating it has been compromised. The ransomware employs the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithm, known for its robust security, making decryption without a key practically impossible. To communicate with victims, Gengar Ransomware leaves a ransom note named info.txt in affected directories. This note instructs victims to contact the attackers through a specific email address provided, warning them against attempting to decrypt the files using third-party software. The attackers often offer to decrypt a few files for free as “proof” of their capabilities, while emphasizing that they hold the exclusive decryption keys needed to restore access.

Currently, there are no publicly available decryption tools for reversing the effects of Gengar Ransomware, as the encryption keys are securely held by the cybercriminals. This lack of a decryption tool means victims are left in a challenging predicament, as the encrypted files remain inaccessible unless a ransom is paid, which is strongly discouraged due to the uncertain nature of the attackers fulfilling their promises. Users affected by .gengar file encryptions should immediately seek to remove the ransomware from their systems using reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to prevent further encryption. After removal, attempting data recovery from backups or using file recovery tools like Recuva could offer some relief if the ransomware hasn’t overwritten all recoverable data. The best preventive measure remains regular data backups stored on offline or cloud solutions to safeguard against future ransomware threats.

How Gengar Ransomware infects computers

Gengar Ransomware typically infiltrates computers through various deceptive methods employed by cybercriminals. One primary method is through malicious email attachments or links, where unsuspecting users are tricked into clicking on seemingly legitimate files that actually contain the ransomware payload. Additionally, cybercriminals exploit software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems, often through outdated or unpatched applications. Malicious advertisements, or malvertising, is another common tactic, where users are redirected from seemingly safe ads to compromised websites that initiate the ransomware download. Furthermore, Gengar Ransomware can spread via peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, infected USB drives, and through the use of pirated software or fake software updates. Once executed, the ransomware encrypts files on the victim’s computer, appending the “.gengar” extension and demanding a ransom for decryption, leaving users with limited options unless they have pre-existing backups or access to decryption tools.

1. Download Gengar Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .gengar 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 Gengar Ransomware

Gengar Ransomware files:


info.txt
{randomname}.exe


Gengar Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .gengar files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .gengar 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 .gengar 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 Gengar 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 .gengar 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 Gengar 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. Gengar 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