What is Impect Ransomware and how do I remove it?
Impect
Learn what Impect ransomware is, how to remove the virus from your computer, and how to recover files encrypted with the .impect file extension.
What is Impect?
Impect is ransomware that encrypts files and restricts access to them. The ransomware then gives the encrypted files the .impect file extension; a file named test.jpg will then be changed to test.jpg.impect. After the encryption process, the ransomware will produce a text file named how to get back you files.txt on the desktop and every root folder it encrypted files in.
Here’s what is written in the text file:
Attention MOTHERFUCKER!
All your main files were encrypted!
Your personal files (documents, databases, jpeg, docx, doc,
etc.) were encrypted, their further using impossible.
TO DECRYPT YOUR FILES YOU NEED TO BUY A SOFTWARE WITH YOUR UNIQUE PRIVATE KEY. ONLY OUR
SOFTWARE WILL ALLOW YOU DECRYPT YOUR FILES.
NOTE:
You have only 6 hours from the moment when an encryption was done to buy our software at $300, in bitcoin
You all files will get deleted after the lapse of 6 hours.
Any attempts to remove this encryption will be unsuccessful. You cannot do this without our software with your key.
Do not send any emails with threats and rudeness to us. Example of email format: Hi, I need a decryption of my files.
Impect uses the how to get back you files.txt file to explain what happened to the files on the computer and how to make a payment to decrypt them. The note insists that you buy their software for $300 and write a ‘polite’ email to them.
It might be possible to decrypt this ransomware in the future.
How to remove Impect
1. Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software to scan your computer and remove malicious files and potentially unwanted programs.
2. To install the program, click the file you just downloaded. It can usually be located in the Download folder.
3. A window that says “Welcome to the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard” will appear. Click Agree and Install to begin the installation. Once complete, click Finish.
4. Now the Malwarebytes is installed, open the program and click the Scan Now button – or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
5. When the scan is complete click the Quarantine Selected button.
6. If Malwarebytes says “All selected items have been removed successfully. A log file has been saved to the logs folder. Your computer needs to be restarted to complete the removal process. Would you like to restart now?” click the Yes button to restart your computer.
7. Next, Download HitmanPro to perform a second-opinion scan and remove any remaining malicious trace files.
8. Once installed, open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
9. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
10. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
11. Click the Reboot button.
File Recovery Software
| NAME | DESCRIPTION | DOWNLOAD |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Explorer | Restores lost or damaged files from Shadow Copies | Download (Free) |
| Photorec | Recovers lost files | Download (Free) |
| Recuva | Recovers lost files | Download (Free) | Buy |
Troubleshooting
Alternative methods are suggested if there are issues removing Impect ransomware from an infected computer.
How to Restore your computer
If a restore point has previously been established on your machine you will be able to perform a system restore in order to restore your machine to a date and time before it was infected. You will lose files on your computer that were obtained prior to the restore point.
There are several options to restore your computer. Most computers have their own restore software that can be found by performing a search. Additionally, computers that run the Windows Operating System have a default restore program that can also be found by performing a search.
A boot screen that can be used to access options to restore your computer can be reached by rebooting your computer and pressing the F8 key once the manufacture screen is displayed.
How to Recover your computer to factory settings
A system recovery (or reset) will recover your computer to factory settings. You will lose the current programs and files on your computer.
There are several options to recover your computer to factory settings. Most computers have their own recovery software that can be found by performing a search. Additionally, computers that run the Windows Operating System have a default recovery program that can also be found by performing a search.
A boot screen that can be used to access options to restore your computer can be reached by rebooting your computer and pressing the F8 key once the manufacture screen is displayed.
