Herbst Ransomware Removal Guide

Herbst Ransomware is a malicious program that encrypts your personal data and demands to pay a ransom for its recovery. What is odd about this infection is that it encrypts files only in a few folders that might contain user’s personal data. It looks like the malware starts from your Desktop and when it encrypts all files located there it starts locking data in the next folder on its list. The good news is that since it encrypts files only in particular folders, you might receive less damage compared to other ransomware infections, which encipher all personal data on user’s computer. Even though the malicious program’s creators ask for quite a small amount of Bitcoins, we advise against paying the ransom. It should be your last option because even if you pay, there are no reassurances that you will get the decryption key. Thus, you should remove the malware either automatically with a security tool or manually with the instructions below the text.

It could be that Herbst Ransomware travels with suspicious email attachments. For instance, the file could look like a harmless text document or picture. If the file is sent by someone you do not know, you should always take precautions, e.g. install an antimalware tool or copy the file’s title and search for information about it. If it is malicious, you might find some post or a comment created by a user who received a similar file. An antimalware tool should detect the infection too.

Once your system is infected with Herbst Ransomware, the malware will start encrypting files on your Desktop. It should also lock data that is kept in the My Pictures and My Music folders. Each file that is encrypted with the AES-256 cryptosystem should have another extension at the end of the file name, e.g. picture1.jpg.herbst. As soon as the encryption process ends, you should see a window titled “Encrypted” on your screen. The text inside this pop-up is written in the German language, and there are no translation options.

The notification informs you that it is impossible to unlock your data without a decryption key. In order to get it, you would have to pay the ransom, which should be 0.1 bitcoin (approximately 60 US dollars). Compared to other ransomware, Herbst Ransomware demands a small amount of Bitcoins. However, no one can guarantee you that the cyber criminals who released the infection will keep up to their promise. You have to decide on your own if you want to pay the ransom. Simply, hold it in mind that you might end up losing your data and the money you paid too.

The fastest way to get rid of Herbst Ransomware is to install a security tool that should locate the malicious file and delete it. Also, if you keep the antimalware tool updated it will guard your system from various threats. Thus, if you ever considered getting such software, it might be a good opportunity. Nevertheless, you can try to remove the ransomware on your own if you are willing to. To remove the malware manually, you should find and erase the infected file that you opened before your data was encrypted. The instructions below will suggest you a few possible locations where you might have downloaded it. If you still have some questions related to the malicious program, you can leave us a comment below.

Erase Herbst Ransomware

1. Open the Explorer.
2. Check the Desktop, Downloads, and Temporary Files, or any other directories where you might have downloaded the infected file.
3. Find the malicious file that has a random title.
4. Right-click it and select Delete.
5. Close the Explorer.
6. Empty your Recycle bin.