Remove Shadow Cryptor ransomware and Recover Encrypted files

How to Delete Shadow Cryptor ransomware and Restore Locked Data

Shadow Cryptor ransomware is data-encrypting software that is secretly stored in the targeted PC by the associated cyber-criminals. Its aim is to encrypt the files and demands the users to pay ransom in order to access the locked files again. According to cyber-experts, there is multiple version of Shadow Cryptor over internet and they are getting updated at regular interval. On encryption, it changes the appearance of encrypted files by adding six random characters on the targeted files as suffix. For example, a file named as “Sample.jpg” will change to “Sample.jpg.T0T980. Its ransom note is a text file named as “[extension]-DECRYPT.txt”.

According to ransom note, you don’t have to delete this ransom note file until the data are decrypted. Further, it informs about the encryption and gives the basic details about the encryption process. Its ultimate aim is that you get convinced to pay the ransom money. As threat, it claims that decryption key will get delete d permanently if the ransom money is not paid within the particular time. You are asked to make contact with the developer through the provided email ID. You are also informed to not make any changes in the encrypted files otherwise it will get damaged permanently.

It is true that the recovery of locked files is not possible directly without the necessary key or other interference of the developer. Unless the ransomware is still in its development phase or there is some bugs or errors. Shadow Cryptor ransomware is also capable to delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” which is the temporary backup files created by the OS for the recently damaged or deleted files. So, basically you have very limited option to retrieve the locked files.

The ransom note of Shadow Cryptor ransomware says:

“—=    SHADOW CRYPTOR  =—

*******UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT DELETE THIS FILE, UNTIL ALL YOUR DATA IS RECOVERED*******

Attention!

All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted and have the extension: –

The only method of recovering files is to purchase an unique private key. Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files.

You only have 7 days of payment time, after which the password will be automatically destroyed by the system.

You can contact us by the following ways:

———

EMAIL:[email protected]

REPEAT:[email protected]

———

ATTENTION!

IN ORDER TO PREVENT DATA DAMAGE:

* DO NOT MODIFY ENCRYPTED FILES

* DO NOT CHANGE DATA BELOW

—BEGIN ENCRYPT KEY—

—END ENCRYPT KEY—“

How to Recover the Locked Files?

As mentioned earlier, Shadow Cryptor ransomware uses powerful combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithm. It demands you to pay ransom money which it asked to pay in digital currency so that there real identity remains hidden. However, you must remember that paying ransom money is not the solution. This is a spam and trick. They don’t provide any kind of key after receiving the payment. The worse is that they continue encrypting and damaging other files and programs. Also, all the communication channels get broken so that you cannot trace them.

So, you have to rely on your backup files. If you backup files of your important data in some external storage device then you will not find any trouble to restore it back. However, it is important that you clean the work-station and remove Shadow Cryptor ransomware. Once the malware is removed, you can begin the data restore process. In case if any kind of backup files are not available then you have to rely on a data recovery tool. With the help of strong scanning algorithm and special features, you will be able to recover the damaged and encrypted files.

How Shadow Cryptor ransomware Get Inside the PC?

There are a lot of tricks and deceiving methods used by cyber-criminals to intrude the malware payloads and scripts secretly. The most common of them are software bundling, social engineering, peer-to-peer file sharing networks, spam email campaigns, and so on. You receive tons of spam emails with attachments and the senders expect you to open the attachment that triggers ransomware infection. In the same way, Trojan is used to created chain infection. Shared network such as torrent, eMule etc. are used to aggressive distributions. Hidden attachments are also packaged with freeware and shareware that you download from untrusted sources.

As precaution, you have to be careful. Don’t open suspicious emails. Don’t download unnecessary programs, files, and plug-ins and browser extensions and so on. Avoid using any third-party downloaders or installers. Choose advanced or custom installation method so that hidden files could be detected and is stopped from getting installed in the PC. Don’t open the email attachments unless you know the sender. Also, upgrade the overall security settings of the work-station and use a powerful anti-malware tool that has strong scanning algorithm and programming logics. It is always better to take all the precautionary measures.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Shadow Cryptor ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Shadow Cryptor ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Shadow Cryptor 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 Shadow Cryptor ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Shadow Cryptor 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 Shadow Cryptor 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 Shadow Cryptor 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 Shadow Cryptor 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 Shadow Cryptor 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 Shadow Cryptor 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 Shadow Cryptor 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 Shadow Cryptor 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 Shadow Cryptor 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.