How to remove CryptoLocker Ransomware

Tips for CryptoLocker Ransomware removal

CryptoLocker Ransomware is a ransomware that is distributed using exploit kits that infiltrate users’ computer using security vulnerabilities detected within outdated software. However, this is not the only way through which the malware intrudes in. Other common techniques including spam emails, untrustworthy downloading channels, and software cracks can lead the data locker virus infiltrate inside your device.

After the infiltration, CryptoLocker Ransomware locks down all the stored files including images, audios, videos, documents, presentations and etc and denies users’ access to them till a ransom payment is done. The encryption is done using some strong cipher algorithm that allows the crooks to create unique key/code during the encryption process. They hide the key on some remote server of which only they can access to it. Thereafter, they start blackmailing the users to pay 300 USD or 300 Euro as a ransom to get the decryption tool and unblock the encrypted files. They demand the ransom payment in different cryptocurrencies formats including Ukash, cashU, MoneyPak, or Bitcoin in order to hide their identity. The instruction containing the ransom payment is appeared in a file and placed on each folder containing the encrypted files. This file contains the following text message:

CryptoLocker “Your personal files are encrypted!”

Your important files encryption produced on this computer: photos, videos, documents, etc. Here is a complete list of encrypted files, and you can personally verify this.

Encryption was produced using a unique public key RSA-2048 generated for this computer. To decrypt files you need to obtain the private key.

The single copy of the private key, which will allow you to decrypt the files, located on a secret server on the Internet, the server will destroy the key after a time specified in this window. After that, nobody and never will be able to restore files…

To obtain the private key for this computer, which will automatically decrypt files, you need to pay 300 USD/ 300 EUR / similar amount in another currency.

Click “Next” to select the method of payment and the currency.

Any attempt to remove or damage this software will lead to the immediate destruction of the private key by server.

We recommend not pay/contact to the CryptoLocker Ransomware developers under any circumstances. These people will never provide you the decryption tool, even if you fulfil all their demands. In other word, if you pay, you will be scammed. This means, you will lose your crucial money and will have the files remain in the encrypted, inaccessible condition. Therefore, you should ignore negotiating to the crooks and must think of some data recovery alternatives. The safest option is to remove CryptoLocker Ransomware and recover the files using existing backup. The malware removal is necessary in order to prevent further files encryption. After the malware removal is done, restore the files using existing backup. If this option is not available for you, you should use data recovery tool and/or check other data recovery options provided below the post in the data recovery sections.

Spam emails are commonly used to spread ransomware

Ransomware developers use officially looking emails, fake pop-ups, and other similar techniques to spread the virus. Earlier, ransmware has been distributed via hideous email letters containing malicious attachments, malware laden ads containing advertising programs or updates that actually contain virus execution file or exploit kits.

However, various new methods have been spotted on Sept, 2016- the first of them is based on malicious emails posing as letters from electricity supplier VERBUND –that convince users to click on malicious links or open infectious email attachments containing the CryptoLocker Ransomware. The second ransomware distribution that has been discovered was the one that tricks users and forces them to open the malicious files containing the virus.

Scammers pose as employees of health companies in the second one campaign and send deceptive emails to cause infection. They deliver a bogus blood report according to which the victims are supposedly suffering from cancer due to lack of white blood cells. Clipped file on the email presented as a result of the blood text, if opened- the users allow the payload contained within to active and malware to install inside their device.

Remove CryptoLocker Ransomware

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove CryptoLocker Ransomware from the device.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

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Step 1: Remove CryptoLocker Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete CryptoLocker Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove CryptoLocker Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button. In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete CryptoLocker Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with CryptoLocker Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to CryptoLocker Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove CryptoLocker Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of CryptoLocker Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by CryptoLocker Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like CryptoLocker Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by CryptoLocker Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with CryptoLocker Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove CryptoLocker Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.