How to remove NightSpire Ransomware and decrypt .nspire files

What is NightSpire Ransomware

NightSpire Ransomware is a sophisticated and destructive strain belonging to the notorious Snatch ransomware family, notorious for targeting both individuals and organizations. Upon infiltration, this ransomware efficiently encrypts files across the victim’s system, appending the unique .nspire extension to every affected file—so a document like invoice.pdf becomes invoice.pdf.nspire, effectively rendering its contents inaccessible without the decryption key. Relying on robust encryption algorithms, typically utilizing a combination of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography like AES and RSA, NightSpire ensures that unauthorized decryption is virtually impossible. Once the encryption process is complete, it generates a ransom note titled readme.txt, strategically dropped in every folder where files were encrypted. This alarming note not only threatens that local files but also claims cloud-based data—such as OneDrive files—have been corrupted, warning victims against using third-party tools or security companies for recovery.

Currently, no trustworthy decryption tools exist for data locked by NightSpire ransomware, making recovery prospects bleak unless victims possess clean, unaffected backups created prior to infection. Cybersecurity researchers and platforms like the No More Ransom Project have not published a decryption utility for the .nspire extension, due to the strength of the cryptography implemented and the secure key management used by the attackers. The ransom note instructs victims to contact the attackers via email or Tor-based methods, promising decryption tools upon payment—but experience and expert consensus strongly warn against engaging or paying, as this often leads to further risks or financial loss without any guarantee of data return. Decrypting .nspire files without the attackers’ cooperation is considered infeasible with current technology. The wisest action after a NightSpire attack is to isolate the infected system, remove the ransomware using reputable anti-malware tools, and restore files from secure offline or cloud-based backups if available, as this remains the only assured method of regaining access to your data.

How NightSpire Ransomware infects computers

NightSpire Ransomware infiltrates computers primarily through phishing attacks and social engineering tactics, whereby malicious files masquerade as legitimate content. This malware often arrives via infected email attachments, which can be in the form of archives, executables, or documents like PDFs and Microsoft Office files. Once the unsuspecting user opens these files, the ransomware executes, initiating the encryption process of the victim’s files. Additionally, NightSpire can spread through compromised download sources, such as third-party websites offering freeware or via peer-to-peer sharing networks. The ransomware may also propagate through trojans that download and install the malware onto the system without the user’s knowledge. Furthermore, NightSpire can leverage vulnerabilities in network security to spread across local networks, encrypting files on connected devices and cloud storage, thereby maximizing its impact.

1. Download NightSpire Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .nspire 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 NightSpire Ransomware

NightSpire Ransomware files:


readme.txt
{randomname}.exe


NightSpire Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .nspire files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .nspire 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 .nspire 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 NightSpire 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 .nspire 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 NightSpire 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. NightSpire 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