We know your files are probably very important to you, and you may want to try everything that can help you get them back without paying the crooks a ransom. Therefore, we will try to be of maximum help, and will provide you with some alternative options to restore your encrypted files wherever this is possible. Trying the instructions out may be worthy, but before you do that, we recommend you spend a few minutes learning more about what you’re dealing with.

The .Geno virus

Threats like the Geno Ransomware are usually programmed to detect and encrypt most data formats that could be stored on a user’s PC. From office documents, photos, videos, and music, to basic system files – everything can be rendered inaccessible with a highly complex algorithm that cannot be read through without the application of a special decryption key.

Now, file encryption was developed primarily as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive and important data. It is now known as the strongest mechanism for data protection. However, with the help of a ransomware cryptoviruses such as Geno,  Hese, Gero the cyber criminals use this data protection mechanism as the basis for their online blackmailing scheme. After applying encryption to the victim’s documents, the crooks display a ransom-demanding notification on the screen. They ask for some money to be paid if the victim wants to obtain the decryption key needed for the recovery of their files. That key, of course, is in the crooks ‘ hands, and they’d trade it for a certain amount of money, usually requested in the form of BitCoins.

The .Geno file encryption

It’s up to you to decide whether to pay the ransom or not. The payment, however, hides some risks, that should be taken into account. For instance, fulfilling the hackers’ ransom demands does NOT give you any guarantee that the decryption key you will get from them will manage to restore your files. Not to mention that you may never get any key in return for your money. Sadly, there are already many victims of Ransomware, which have paid only to realize that they will never hear from the crooks again or obtain a decryption solution from them. If you don’t want to be the next fooled victim, we suggest that you first try the steps in the removal guide below. Just make sure you follow carefully the removal directions, and let us know if they helped you.

Geno SUMMARY:

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Remove Geno Ransomware 

1: Preparations

Note: Before you go any further, we advise you to bookmark this page or have it open on a separate device such as your smartphone or another PC. Some of the steps might require you to exit your browser on this PC.

2: Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to enter the Task Manager. Go to the Tab labeled Processes (Details for Win 8/10). Carefully look through the list of processes that are currently active on you PC.

If any of them seems shady, consumes too much RAM/CPU or has some strange description or no description at all, right-click on it, select Open File Location and delete everything there.

Also, even if you do not delete the files, be sure to stop the process by right-clicking on it and selecting End Process.

3: IP related to Geno

Go to c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts. Open the hosts file with notepad.

Find where it says Localhost and take a look below that. 

If you see any IP addresses there (below Localhost) send them to us here, in the comments since they might be coming from the Geno.

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4: Disable Startup programs

Re-open the Start Menu and type msconfig.

Click on the first search result. In the next window, go to the Startup tab. If you are on Win 10,  it will send you to the Startup part of the task manager instead, as in the picture:

If you see any sketchy/shady looking entries in the list with an unknown manufacturer or a manufacturer name that looks suspicious as there could be a link between them and Geno , disable those programs and select OK.

5: Registry Editor

Press Windows key + R and in the resulting window type regedit.

Now, press Ctrl + F and type the name of the virus.

Delete everything that gets found. If you are not sure about whether to delete something, do not hesitate to ask us in the comments. Keep in mind that if you delete the wrong thing, you might cause all sorts of issues to your PC.

6: Deleting potentially malicious data – Geno

Type each of the following locations in the Windows search box and hit enter to open the locations:

%AppData%

%LocalAppData%

%ProgramData%

%WinDir%

%Temp%

Delete everything you see in Temp linked to Geno Ransomware. About the other folders, sort their contents by date and delete only the most recent entries. As always, if you are not sure about something, write to us in the comment section.

7: Geno Decryption

The previous steps were all aimed at removing the Geno Ransomware from your PC. However, in order to regain access to your files, you will also need to decrypt them or restore them. For that, we have a separate article with detailed instructions on what you have to do in order to unlock your data. Here is a link to that guide.

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