Herad Virus Removal Guide (+Decrypt .herad files) – DJVU Ransomware

Herad – General Info

The Herad mean a ransomware-type infection. Initially, it was revealed by Michael Gillespie. The virus comes from the DJVU ransomware family. Herad was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. Herad adds the “.herad” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, when encrypted by Herad, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.herad. As quickly as the encryption is finished, Herad places a special text file (such as “_readme.txt“) into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by Herad text file requesting the ransom is absolutely the same as the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives belonging to the DJVU family. It literally points out that the info is encrypted and that the only way to restore it is to use a a distinct decryption key. Sadly, this is absolutely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism used by Herad is still not correctly examined. Still, it is definitely specific that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is completely distinct. It is difficult to bring back the files without the key available.

“Don’t worry, you can return all your files!”, Herad message:

Another technique of Herad is that the victims cannot get to the key. The key is kept on a particular server run by the frauds associated with Herad ransomware. To get the key and recover the important info people need to pay the ransom, which amounts to $980. To obtain the payment information users are instructed to contact the frauds through e-mail or telegram. The alert likewise suggests that the users need to contact the Herad developers within 72 hours after the files encryption happened. The message says that doing so users will get a 50% discount, so the ransom amount will fall to $490.

Nonetheless, regardless of the asked for amount, people should stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to totally disregard what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom generally does not provide any positive outcome and people just lose their money for absolutely nothing.

We strongly advise that you do not contact these crooks and definitely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack Herad ransomware and to recover the information data totally free. Thus, the only right decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	Herad Ransomware
File Extension	herad
Type	Ransomware
Family	DJVU
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
Symptoms	File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the RSA-1024 encryption algorithm. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special herad extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Adware bundles and software cracks
Similar Infections	Budak, Djvut, Godes
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Bear in mind that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to Herad ransomware. It is similar Budak and many other ransomware-type threats. Malicious programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt essential information and to set forth the demand before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to create the distinct decryption key for data decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, manually recovering the information is just not feasible. The only way to avoid the loss of your crucial data is to regularly create backups of your important information.

Remember that even if you create such backups, they need to be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the USB Memory Stick or external hard disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you keep your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted along with other files, so it’s certainly not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my system?

There are several ways used by online frauds to distribute Herad virus. Although it is uncertain how precisely Herad injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:

• integration with third-party apps, especially freeware;
• spam e-mails from unknown senders;
• websites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Typically Herad ransomware may exist as some legitimate software application, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to execute some important software application updates. This is the typical trick used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing Herad infection manually, by methods of their direct participation in the installation process.

Furthermore, the criminals might refer to numerous e-mail spam techniques to inject malicious codes into PC. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam e-mails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some photos, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may seriously harm the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update notifies may result in Herad ransom injection. When it comes to the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise include harmful codes causing Herad secret installation. Lastly, injection of Herad may happen by means of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and install harmful utilities without the user’s approval.

Is there any method to avoid the injection of Herad ransomware?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your system from getting infected, there are some pieces of advice we wish to share with with you. Firstly, be very cautious when you surf the web and specifically while downloading complimentary apps. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Remember that some freeware installers may consist of other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be destructive. Make sure that your current anti-virus and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.

Obviously, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may result in vital damage to be produced your system. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and potentially change to another security solution that can render far better services of defending your system.

Below please find the quotation from the Herad text file:

ATTENTION!
 
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-hvv30uAtTY
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
 
 
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch
 
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
ferast@firemail.cc
 
Our Telegram account:
@datarestore

Screenshot of files with “.herad” extension added by the ransomware:”

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Herad ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.