A blog post which is created to answer the following concerns – how to remove the .bam! file virus and how to recover files that have been encrypted by it?

A ransomware virus, which many refer to as the .bam! ransomware virus has been reported to infect victims computers and and then create multiple different malicious files that allow it to encrypt documents, archives, audio files and other types of files on the computers infected by it. The virus then changes the wallpaper of the infected computer, in which the victims have 24 hours to pay a hefty ransom fee in order to get the encrypted files decoded. The virus also adds the .bam! file suffix after the files have been encrypted by it on your computer.

Why The .bam! Virus Infects Computers

The .bam! ransomware’s main purpose is to motivate you into paying money. This is why the virus is created in a specific way, to remain unnoticed and hold what is most dear to you as your hostage. We are talking about your documents, files, important folders for which you would pay to get back. This clever strategy is done with the aid of an encryption algorithm which makes the files encrypted by .bam! ransomware seem corrupt. But the reality is that those files have had their internal structure modified so that you may not be able to open them once again. In addition to this, .bam! ransomware also makes sure you notice it’s presence once it has done encrypting your files. It does that with the aid of a significant obfuscation techniques. These techniques aim to assist the .bam! virus to be obfuscated and evade any anti virus detection.

How Did I Get The .bam! Threat

Over 80% of viruses, like .bam! are spread via malicious spam e-mail messages. These messages may trick you into opening either the malicious attachment in them or click on a web link which may lead to the infection of your computer system. The infection files of .bam! may pretend to be invoices for purchases you haven’t made, receipts or other documents you may believe are important. In addition to these methods, viruses, like .bam! may pose a grave threat to you via other methods as well. The virus may be uploaded on websites that may portray it as a game activator, crack for software or a fake installer. By the time you realize it is not a legitimate file, the .bam! virus is already activated and begins encrypting your files.

What to Do If I Have Been Infected by .bam!?

After an infection takes place with .bam! ransomware, your best course of action is to immediately remove the threat. We have created quick instructions in how to isolate it and delete it from your computer system. These detailed steps will help you remove .bam! safely, because .bam! ransomware may tamper with crucial Windows files and manual deletion of them may break your OS. This is the main reason why security experts always suggest victims to focus on scanning their computer automatically with a ransomware-specific removal tool. This process will help you fully remove .bam! ransomware from your computer and protect it against future threats. Furthermore, if you want to restore your files, we have also included several alternative methods to get them back without having to make the ransom payoff.

Booting in Safe Mode

For Windows:
1) Hold Windows Key and R
2) A run Window will appear, in it type “msconfig” and hit Enter
3) After the Window appears go to the Boot tab and select Safe Boot

Cut out .bam! in Task Manager

1) Press CTRL+ESC+SHIFT at the same time.
2) Locate the “Processes” tab.
3) Locate the malicious process of .bam!, and end it’s task by right-clicking on it and clicking on “End Process”

Eliminate .bam!‘s Malicious Registries

For most Windows variants:
1) Hold Windows Button and R.
2) In the “Run” box type “Regedit” and hit “Enter”.
3) Hold CTRL+F keys and type .bam! or the file name of the malicious executable of the virus which is usually located in %AppData%, %Temp%, %Local%, %Roaming% or %SystemDrive%.
4) After having located malicious registry objects, some of which are usually in the Run and RunOnce subkeys delete them ermanently and restart your computer. Here is how to find and delete keys for different versions.
For Windows 7: Open the Start Menu and in the search type and type regedit –> Open it. –> Hold CTRL + F buttons –> Type .bam! Virus in the search field.
Win 8/10 users: Start Button –> Choose Run –> type regedit –> Hit Enter -> Press CTRL + F buttons. Type .bam! in the search field.

Automatic Removal of .bam!

DOWNLOAD REMOVAL TOOL FOR .bam!The free version of SpyHunter will only scan your computer to detect any possible threats. To remove them permanently from your computer, purchase its full version. Spy Hunter malware removal tool additional information/SpyHunter Uninstall Instructions

Recover files encrypted by the .bam! Ransomware.

Method 1: Using Shadow Explorer. In case you have enabled File history on your Windows Machine one thing you can do is to use Shadow Explorer to get your files back. Unfortunately some ransomware viruses may delete those shadow volume copies with an administrative command to prevent you from doing just that.

Method 2: If you try to decrypt your files using third-party decryption tools. There are many antivirus providers who have decrypted multiple ransomware viruses the last couple of years and posted decryptors for them. Chances are if your ransomware virus uses the same encryption code used by a decryptable virus, you may get the files back. However, this is also not a guarantee, so you might want to try this method with copies of the original encrypted files, because if a third-party program tampers with their encrypted structure, they may be damaged permanently. Here are the vendors to look for:

• Kaspersky.
• Emsisoft.
• TrendMicro.

Method 3: Using Data Recovery tools. This method is suggested by multiple experts in the field. It can be used to scan your hard drive’s sectors and hence scramble the encrypted files anew as if they were deleted. Most ransomware viruses usually delete a file and create an encrypted copy to prevent such programs for restoring the files, but not all are this sophisticated. So you may have a chance of restoring some of your files with this method. Here are several data recovery programs which you can try and restore at least some of your files: