3301 ransomware / virus (Removal Instructions) - Quick Decryption Solution

3301 virus Removal Guide

What is 3301 ransomware virus?

New variant of Karmen emerges as 3301 ransomware virus

3301 ransomware virus

3301 ransomware is a virus that encodes files with AES-256 to make them inaccessible for the victim. The malware comes from Karmen ransomware family[1]. During data encryption, the virus appends .3301 file extensions to encoded files and creates DECRYPT_MY_FILES.html file, which is the ransom note.

The ransom note leads to an HTML page that says “You Are Locked by 3301.” The ransomware suggests that the victim has 168 hours or 7 days to pay the ransom and get data decryption key. Otherwise, the victim may lose the files forever because scammers will delete the decryption key from their servers after a week.

This virtual extortion tool is an illegal cyber weapon used to swindle money from inattentive computer users. Clearly, 3301 removal is the first thing that you need to do after noticing it in your computer.

The virus commands the victim to get Tor browser in order to access a particular website. Below, there are shortened versions of the ransom note available in 7 different languages. All of them suggest open an ID.TXT file saved on the desktop – it contains victim’s ID which is required in order for cyber criminals to recognize the victim.

After entering one of the payment websites, the victim has to choose a language and enter one’s personal ID in order to see the ransom demand. The virus asks buying Bitcoins and sending required amount to the criminals’ Bitcoin wallet. The payment website promises to automatically display the key as soon as the ransom is paid.

Sadly, it is unknown whether 3301 virus’ developers are trustworthy or not. Besides, paying the ransom means helping cyber criminals and funding their projects, which is not a good idea. We hope that you have a data backup and can recover your files for free.

If you don’t, please try the suggested data recovery methods first. Before you do so, make sure you remove 3301 ransomware. Use FortectIntego software for it.

3301 ransomware attack3301 ransomware encrypts files and creates DECRYPT_MY_FILES.html. This file is a ransom note. During the attack, virus appends .3301 file extensions to every file.

Distribution of Karmen 3001 ransomware version

Karmen RaaS[2] is known to be promoted via hacking forums, so it is quite clear how the 3301 version was created. To distribute this virus, its authors use typical malware promotion methods and tools, such as:

  • Trojans;
  • Illegal software;
  • Exploit kits;
  • Spam;
  • Malvertising.

All of these methods have been used by ransomware developers for years, but people are still struggling to keep ransomware viruses away from their computers. The best way to protect yourself is to install good anti-malware product and create a data backup.

Finally, DieViren.de[3] says that it is important to enable automatic software updates – it prevents hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated software. What is more, you should always install the latest Windows updates. One of such vulnerabilities allowed WannaCry ransomware to spread so quickly.

Remove 3301 virus and recover your data

3301 removal is a standard procedure that requires anti-malware software to be completed professionally. We highly recommend using anti-malware software like FortectIntego to eliminate ransomware viruses, but you must prepare your computer for this cleanup first.

To begin with, restart your computer and put it in a Safe Mode with Networking in order to remove 3301 virus successfully. This way, the ransomware won’t be able to disable your anti-malware software and avoid detection.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of 3301 virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Concentrate on 3301 ransomware removal. The first thing that you must do is to reboot your computer in a proper mode. Use these instructions to do everything correctly.

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove 3301 using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of 3301. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that 3301 removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove 3301 from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

Although currently it is unknown whether .3301 extension files can be recovered for free or not, try the suggested methods.

If your files are encrypted by 3301, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro option

One of data recovery options you have is to scan the system with Data Recovery Pro and detect files that were corrupted. The software then will attempt to decrypt them. It might not succeed in doing so – the virus uses a powerful encryption algorithm.

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by 3301 ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Decryption tools are not available yet

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from 3301 and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

 

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

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