How to remove Leitkcad Ransomware and recover encrypted files

Complete Leitkcad Ransomware removal guide with .Leitkcad file recovery instructions

Leitkcad Ransomware is a cryptovirus that encrypts stored files and then demands ransom payment for the decryption, i.e., the decryption tool. During the encryption process, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files using .Leitkcad extension. As for example, 1.jpg appears something like 1.jpg.leitkcad, 2.jpg as 2.jpg.leitkcad and so on.

Rightly after this, Leitkcad Ransomware creates help-leitkcad.txt text file and drops it on each folder containing encrypted files. As written in this file, all files have been encrypted and can be restored by using the unique decryption tool/ software that the crooks behind this virus have. The victims are instructed to contact to contact them via provided Tor website. Additionally, they are strictly warned not to shut down their device, try to decrypt files with third party software and/or uninstalling the ransomware from the system as this would cause permanent data loss.

Here is the full text presented in Leitkcad Ransomware’s created ransom note “help-leitkcad.txt” file:

Caution!!!

Your files on this computer have been encrypted due to security issues.

To restore it you should write to the online chat.

To decrypt files follow the instructions below:

1. Open in any browser the link: {URL}.
2. Or download and install TOR browser (if TOR blocked in your country you need to install VPN and download it) and follow the link: {.onion_URL}
3. To chat with operator you need to fill the next information on chat page:

  – your ID: leitkcad

 – personal key: –

 – your E-Mail

Attention!

Do not try to reload your PC.

Do not try to recover information using third party software.

Do not attempt to use antivirus.

Do not try to uninstall programs.

All these actions will lead to data loss and unrecoverable.

Unfortunately, in many cases with ransomware infection, files recovery is not possible without the involvement of the crooks behind the cyber threat. It might be, when the ransomware is at its initial stage or has some flaws/ bugs detected in it. Regardless, you should never contact/ pay to the crooks under any circumstances. These people are not reliable. They often provide no decryption tool and just disappear leaving the victims without their files once receiving the ransom fee. Therefore, people contact them are likely to get scammed – will suffer huge financial loss and will have their files remain at encrypted form.

The best way to deal with this case is to remove Leitkcad Ransomware and recover encrypted files using backups. The malware removal ensures there will be no further encryptions. Also, it will prevent various other risks that the ransomware could cause as a result of longer presence and continuous doing malevolent actions on the system background. In order to remove Leitkcad Ransomware, run a full system scan using some reputable antivirus tool – you can check our removal guide provided below the post for the help. After successfully removing the ransomware infection, you can use existing backups and restore the files to their previously accessible form. However, if you have no such backups, switch to other data recovery options such as Volume Shadow Copies and data recovery tools – check below the post in the data recovery section for the respective guide.

How did Leitkcad Ransomware intrude in?

Cyber criminals often distribute ransomware and other malicious malware thru scam campaigns, Trojans, untrustworthy downloading channels, fake software updaters and unofficial software activation tools. Scam campaigns are used to send spam emails in thousands to random users. The letters trick the recipients as they are coming from some legit organizations, companies and institutions with their invoices/ notices and other documents in the form of attachments. These attachments such as files or links of these files contain malicious executable of malware like Leitkcad Ransomware, if clicked- the malicious malware download/ installation process is triggered. Trojans are malicious applications especially designed to download/ install other malicious malware. Untrustworthy downloading channels like p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers spread malware by presenting it as legit software. Fake software updaters exploit bugs/flaws of outdated software or directly download malware instead of providing updates. Unofficial software activation tools infect systems by supposedly bypassing activation key for paid software.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Suspicious and irrelevant emails should never be opened, especially the provided attachment files or links in them. Download software from their official websites or use direct links. Avoid all untrustworthy downloading channels mentioned in the previous paragraph. Installed software should be updated/ activated with the tools/ functions from official software developers’ tools/ functions. Third party updaters/ unofficial activators often cause malware download/ installation. Also, using such tools for updating/ activating software is not a legit process. For betterment, employ a reputable antivirus tool that provides PC protection.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Leitkcad Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Leitkcad 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 Leitkcad Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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.