R2U Ransomware (.R2U File) — Virus Removal Guide

The R2u virus falls within the ransomware type of infection. Ransomware of such sort encrypts all user’s data on the computer (images, text files, excel sheets, audio files, videos, etc) and appends its specific extension to every file, creating the ReadMe.txt text files in every directory containing encrypted files.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

When we talk about the intrusion of unfamiliar programs into your computer’s work, the proverb “Forewarned is forearmed” describes the situation as accurately as possible. Gridinsoft Anti-Malware is exactly the tool that is always useful to have in your armory: fast, efficient, up-to-date. It is appropriate to use it as an emergency help at the slightest suspicion of infection.

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What is known about the R2uvirus?

☝️ A strictly correct description for the R2u is “a ransomware-type infection”.

R2u will add its specific .R2U extension to every file’s name. For example, an image named “photo.jpg” will be changed to “photo.jpg.R2U”. In the same manner, the Excel file with the name “table.xlsx” will become “table.xlsx.R2U”, and so forth.

In each folder containing the encoded files, a ReadMe.txt text file will appear. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find information on the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other remarks. The ransom note most probably contains instructions on how to buy the decryption tool from the R2u developers. That is how they do it.

R2u summary:

In the image below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the R2u looks like. Each filename has the “.R2U” extension added to it.

That is how encrypted “.R2U” files look.

How did my machine catch R2u ransomware?

There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware injection.

Nowadays, there are three most popular methods for malefactors to have ransomware acting in your system. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer-to-peer networks.

If you open your mailbox and see letters that look just like notifications from utility services companies, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is unknown to you, be wary of opening those letters. They are most likely to have a viral file enclosed in them. Thus it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with letters like these.

Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan horse scheme¹. A Trojan is a program that infiltrates into your machine disguised as something legal. For instance, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some program. However, what is unpacked turns out to be a harmful program that compromises your data. Since the update file can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the source of the stuff you’re downloading. The optimal way is to trust the software developers’ official websites.

As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrent trackers or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never guess what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the folder containing the downloaded items with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.

How do I get rid of the R2u virus?

It is important to note that besides encrypting your files, the R2u virus will probably install the Azorult Spyware on your computer to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned program can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling data.

Sometimes tamperers would unblock several of your files to prove that they do have the decryption program. As R2u virus is a relatively recent ransomware, security software developers have not yet found a way to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the decryption instruments are frequently updated, so the solution may soon be available.

Sure thing, if the hackers succeed in encoding victim’s critical data, the desperate person will most likely fulfill their demands. Nevertheless, paying a ransom gives no guarantee that you’re getting your files back. It is still dangerous. After receiving the ransom, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports about criminals simply disappearing after getting the ransom without even bothering to reply.

The optimal safety measure against ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud drive or at least on an external storage. Obviously, that might be not enough. The most important thing could be that file you were working upon when it all went down. But at least it is something. It is also wise to scan your PC for viruses with the antivirus program after the OS restoration.

There are other ransomware products, besides R2u, that work similarly. For instance, Hhwq, Llqq, Lltt, and some others. The two main differences between them and the R2u are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is almost identical: documents become encrypted, their extensions altered, ransom notes appear in every directory containing encrypted files.

Some lucky people were able to decrypt the arrested files with the help of the free tools provided by anti-malware developers. Sometimes the racketeers mistakenly send the decoding key to the victims in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But of course, one should never expect such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ tool to pull the money out of their victims.

How сan I avert ransomware attack?

R2u ransomware doesn’t have a superpower, neither does any similar malware.

You can armour your PC from its infiltration within several easy steps:

• Ignore any emails from unknown senders with strange addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are expecting (can you win in a money prize draw without participating in it?). In case the email subject is likely something you are waiting for, check all elements of the suspicious email carefully. A fake letter will surely have mistakes.
• Avoid using cracked or unknown software. Trojans are often spreaded as a part of cracked products, possibly under the guise of “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, dubious programs are difficult to tell from reliable ones, because trojans may also have the functionality you need. You can try searching for information on this program on the anti-malware forums, but the best solution is not to use such software.
• And finally, to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a powerful defense for your system.

Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft²

There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft³.

Download Removal Tool.

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

Run the setup file.

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

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.

Press “Install” button.

Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for R2u infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

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.

FAQ

🤔 How can I open “.R2U” files?Is it possible to open“.R2U” files?

Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the “.R2U” files you will not be able to access them.

🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.R2U” files ASAP. How can I do that?

It’s good if you have fаr-sightedly saved copies of these important files elsewhere. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. The rest of the methods require patience.

🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the R2u malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?

Absolutely not! Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.

With the help of GridinSoft Anti-Malware, you can clean your system off the actual threats. The virus that has infiltrated your computer is most likely still functional and launching checks every so often to encrypt any new files you might create on your PC after the attack. As it has already been said, the R2u ransomware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide malefactors with easy access to your PC after some time.

🤔 What should I do if the R2u malware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation code.

In such a case, you need to prepare a flash memory drive with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to do the cleaning. The point is that the ransomware runs automatically as the system boots and encodes any new files created or brought into your PC. To block this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run upon system boot. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.

🤔 And what should I do now?

Many of the encoded files might still be at your disposal

• If you sent or received your important files via email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
• You may have shared images or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to send those images back to you.
• If you have initially got any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them again.
• Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud storage might have all those files as well.
• It might be that you still have the needed files on your old PC, a portable device, phone, flash memory, etc.

HINT: You can use file recovery utilities⁴ to retrieve your lost information since ransomware blocks the copies of your files, deleting the original ones. In the tutorial below, you can see how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but be advised: you can do it only after you eradicate the ransomware itself with an antivirus program.

Also, you can contact the following governmental fraud and scam sites to report this attack:

• In the United States: On Guard Online;
• In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
• In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
• In Australia: SCAMwatch;
• In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
• In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
• In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
• In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;

To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.

How to Remove R2U Ransomware & Recover PC

Name: R2U Virus

Description: R2U Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .R2U extension. So, you can't use them at all.

Operating System: Windows

Application Category: Virus

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