What are .sad files? What is .sad ransomware virus? How to remove Sad Ransomware and try to restore .sad encrypted files?
A ransomware virus, called Sad Ransomware was recently detected by security researchers. The virus uses the .sad file extension which is added to the files, encrypted by the virus. The virus drops a ransom note, the aims to get victims to pay ransom to get their files back and it extorts them into paying BitCoin in 5 minutes or else threatens to delete their files forever. If your computer has been infected by Sad Computer ransomware, we advise you to read this article thoroughly.
Threat Summary
Name | Sad Computer Ransomware |
Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
Short Description | Encrypts your files and holds them hostage until you pay ransom to be able to use them again. |
Symptoms | Files are encrypted and have the .sad extension added. They become no longer usable and a ransom note “Sad Computer” appears. |
Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Sad Computer Ransomware. |
Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
.sad Ransomware – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
The Sad Computer ransomware virus is often spread via two main ways:
- Via malicious files or web links sent to victims by e-mail.
- Via malicious files or links that are posted on suspicious or compromised websites.
Whatever the case may be, once you get tricked into downloading and running the virus files of Sad Computer ransomware, it may immediately begin encrypting your files. The virus may target the following types of files by scanning your PC for them:
- Documents.
- Videos.
- Images.
- Audio files.
- Archives.
- Database files.
- Other important data.
Once Sad Computer ransomware has encrypted your files, it ads the .sad extension to them and the files start to look like the following:
The Sad Computer ransomware then drops the following ransom note so that you can see how the extortion works:
Text from the image:
Your Files are Encrypted
What Happened to my computer?
Your Files Have Been Encrypted.Q: How Do I restore the files?
A: You needto use bitcoin to restore the files.Q: Can I use other methods?
A: Yes. You can use PayPal.Q: How can I trust?
A: We don’t cheat users. We restore the files.
In addition to this, the Sad Computer ransomware may also refrain from encrypting all files in the system folders of Windows and perform other malicious activities, like the ones below:
- Install other viruses.
- Check if it’s running on a virtual drive or if it has infected your PC before.
- Delete your backups.
- Stop the Windows Recovery Services.
- Create mutexes.
- Read and write files.
- Create files.
Remove Sad Computer Ransomware and Try to Restore .sad Files
Before starting to remove this virus, be advised that you should copy your encrypted files somewhere else or make a system image of your Windows OS to backup everything.
To remove Sad Computer ransomware, you can follow the removal steps below. They have been made with the idea to help you either manually delete the virus or use an advanced anti-malware tool to remove it automatically. If you want to remove Sad Ransomware quickly and effectively, the best method according to security professionals is to download and scan your PC with an advanced anti-malware software. Such tool aims to ensure that all of the virus files of Sad Ransomware will be gone for good and your machine remains protected against such viruses in the future as well.
To try and get your data back, you should see the alternative file recovery methods in step “Try to Restore” below. They come with no 100% guarantee to recover your files, but they are a good temporary solution for until a decryptor comes out. Until then, keep following this post as we will post an update with a decryptor when it becomes available.
Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Sad Computer Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Sad Computer Ransomware from Mac OS X.
How to Remove Sad Computer Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Sad Computer Ransomware





Step 2: Uninstall Sad Computer Ransomware and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Sad Computer Ransomware on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Sad Computer Ransomware there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Scan for Sad Computer Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Sad Computer Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Sad Computer Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of Sad Computer Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Sad Computer Ransomware and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Sad Computer Ransomware via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Sad Computer Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Sad Computer Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Sad Computer Ransomware FAQ
What is Sad Computer Ransomware ransomware and how does it work?
Sad Computer Ransomware is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does Sad Computer Ransomware ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Sad Computer Ransomware Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of Sad Computer Ransomware is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .Sad Computer Ransomware files?
You can't. At this point the .Sad Computer Ransomware files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Sad Computer Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Sad Computer Ransomware ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Sad Computer Ransomware" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Sad Computer Ransomware files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Sad Computer Ransomware ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Sad Computer Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Sad Computer Ransomware files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Sad Computer Ransomware ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.