How to decrypt files with .serp File Extension

If you discover the .serp File Extension attached to your personal files, it is most likely that a malicious ransomware by the name “Serpent Ransomware” has slithered in. Notably, this infection can also attach the “.serpent” extension to the targeted files, and it is most likely that this depends on the version of the dangerous infection. So, how has it slithered into your operating system? According to our research team, most ransomware infections employ spam emails to corner victims. The installer of the infection is attached to a misleading email message to trick the user into opening it. Once the launcher is opened, the ransomware is executed, and the encryption begins right away. Unfortunately, once the encryption is complete, there is not much anyone can do. In the best case scenario, your personal files are backed up, and you can recover them after you remove Serpent Ransomware. Note that your files will not be restored if you delete .serp File Extension from your files.

Once the malicious Serpent Ransomware slithers into your operating system, it immediately deletes shadow volume copies (uses command “WMIC.exe shadowcopy delete /nointeractive”). By doing that, the ransomware makes sure that you cannot recover your personal files using the system restore point function. On top of that, a malicious file called “Cipher.exe” is used to overwrite the data that is already deleted to ensure that you have no way of recovering it. Besides that, the infection also adds itself to the Windows Startup to ensure that it runs every time you restart the computer. Although the .serp File Extension is added to the encrypted files at once, the Serpent Ransomware needs to run on startup to introduce you to the ransom note over and over again. Although it appears that the threat is targeted at those users who live in Denmark, the ransom note is represented in English, and that makes it very versatile. It is important to mention that you will not face this threat if you live in one of 10 countries that the Serpent Ransomware has “white-listed.” These countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.

The ransom note should be placed in every folder containing files with the .serp File Extension, and it might be represented in two different formats, TXT and HTML. In either case, it should be named “HOW_TO_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES_***” (the asterisks stand for three random characters). According to these files, you need a program called “Serpent Decrypter” to get your personal files decrypted. Of course, to get this program – and we cannot guarantee that it exists or that cyber criminals would provide you with it – you are requested to pay a ransom of 0.75 Bitcoins (around 6300 DKK or 900 USD). If you do not pay the ransom in 7 days, it should go up to 2.25 Bitcoins. Unfortunately, the malicious Serpent ransomware can affect around 900 different types of files, and so it is most likely that all of the most important files on your PC will be encrypted and will gain the .serp File Extension. Should you pay the ransom to get your files decrypted? We cannot guarantee that this would work, and so you have to decide yourself if you are comfortable with the risk of potentially losing your money for no good reason.

If you want to remove .serp File Extension, all you have to do is right-click the corrupted file, select “Rename,” and erase the undesirable extension. Of course, that will not affect the encryption, and your file will remain locked. To decrypt your personal files, you need a special decryptor, and cyber criminals demand a huge payment in return. The worst part is that no one can guarantee that the decryptor would become available if you paid the ransom, and so paying it is very risky. Whatever happens, you must remove the ransomware, and the instructions below should help you. If you are having problems with the elimination of the infection, install an anti-malware tool to have it erased automatically. If you keep this tool installed and updated, you will not need to fear the invasion of other threats either. Also, after you clean your operating system, make sure to start backing up your files to ensure that you do not lose them in the future.

Removal Instructions

1. Tap Win+E to launch Explorer.
2. Enter %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\ into the bar at the top to access the folder.
3. Right-click and Delete the malicious file [random name].vbs.
4. Enter %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\ into the bar at the top.
5. Right-click and Delete the folder with a random name containing the malicious [random name}.exe file.
6. Right-click and Delete suspicious files you have downloaded recently (e.g., files represented via spam emails).
7. Empty Recycle Bin and then immediately perform a full system scan.