Restart your PC while holding the Shift key, then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart . Press 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Ransomware often modifies this file to block access to security websites. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc , open the hosts file with Notepad, and delete any suspicious lines below 127.0.0.1 localhost . Step 3: Decrypting .u2k Files

The is a malicious encryption program belonging to the STOP/Djvu family . When it infects a system, it locks personal files (documents, photos, and videos) and appends the .u2k extension to them. It then leaves a "_readme.txt" note demanding a ransom, typically $490 to $980, in exchange for a decryption tool.