Braincrypt ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Guide) - Decryption Methods Included
Braincrypt virus Removal Guide
What is Braincrypt ransomware virus?
Braincrypt ransomware might cause you a headache
The appearance of Braincrypt virus is one of the reasons to protect your computer right now. It is a file-encrypting Trojan (ransomware) that is written in Go programming language[1], and so far it seems that the malware is secured to prevent malware researchers from analyzing it. Sadly, it means that it might not be possible to create Braincrypt decryption tool. Once this virus infects the system, it encrypts all files with a military-grade encryption (uses AES/RSA encryption)[2] and simply makes them inaccessible. Encrypted files are marked with .braincrypt file extensions because the virus appends them during the encryption procedure. These files can be opened only after decryption, sadly, one needs to have a unique decryption key in order to be able to recover them. Unfortunately, you are not going to get your hands on this special key, because cyber criminals want you to buy it, or, in other words, pay a ransom. That is why they programmed the virus to create and leave a ransom note on your desktop, called !!! HOW TO DECRYPT FILES !!!.txt. The ransom note contains the following information:
Good morning, your files have been scrambled by a Trojan.
To decrypt, you must turn on the email: headlessbuild@india.com with a request about decrypting files.
You need to send an email-message with your personal ID: [removed]
Faster write to us, and we will save your data in another case, they may be lost forever. Time 2 days.
The virus urges the victim to contact culprits to explain data recovery conditions. It gives only two days (48 hours) to get in touch with them via headlessbuild@india.com email; otherwise, data may be lost. You should not listen to these criminals who try to blackmail you. Unfortunately, ransomware is a serious virus, and most likely you will not be able to recover your files if you do not have a backup, but you should not rely on criminals’ promises, either. Currently, there is no information proving that criminals actually provide victims with decryption tools when they pay the ransom. Remember that there is a possibility to lose your files AND your money[3]. Therefore, we suggest you don’t take risks and remove Braincrypt ransomware virus instead. It is not a typical program, and it means that you will not find its uninstaller in your PC. Consequently, there are only two Braincrypt removal options left – use anti-malware software like FortectIntego or delete it manually (if you are an IT expert or a programmer). Please do not try to remove this virus if you lack computing skills. It is not an easy thing to do!
How did I infect my computer with this virus?
Speaking of ransomware distribution tactics, we can say that they hardly change[4]. One thing is clear – any type of malware attempts to enter target computers in deceptive ways, often in the form of a Trojan horse. Ransomware typically spreads via emails that contain safe-looking attachments or URLs, which can instantly corrupt your files. It is enough to open them. So to protect your computer from malware, you should stay away from the suspicious content. Of course, it is hard to understand and identify dangers online, but we suggest you follow your common sense. If you are not 100% that the content you want to access is safe, bypass it.
However, there are professional and amateur cyber criminals. While low-level ones use basic malware distribution techniques, others show highly deceptive and sophisticated skills that allow them to obfuscate the malicious file professionally. For example, you can get a virus in the form of a Word or Excel file, also get a virus by clicking on a link that seems to point to a Google search result[5], or get attacked by an exploit kit, which takes advantage of vulnerabilities in your computer system. In such case, only an up-to-date anti-malware software can defend your computer, so we highly recommend installing it.
What’s the best way to remove Braincrypt virus?
Remove Braincrypt virus as soon as you can. Please use a proper software for that and do not play with malicious files by yourself if you do not know a lot about malware and tricks that they use. Besides, you should not let other malware take advantage of Braincrypt ransomware’s leftovers, so run a system scan with anti-malware application to delete all of them. We strongly recommend using FortectIntego software for Braincrypt removal, but you can use another reputable program, too.
Getting rid of Braincrypt virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
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:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
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:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- 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).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- 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 Braincrypt using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
-
Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Braincrypt. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Braincrypt from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If your files are encrypted by Braincrypt, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro
When files get encrypted, you should use a backup to restore them. However, if you do not have it, try using data recovery tools. One of them is Data Recovery Pro.
- 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 Braincrypt ransomware;
- Restore them.
Previous file versions
You can take advantage of Windows Previous Versions feature (in case you enabled System Restore function in the past). Sadly, this method requires time and patience and helps to recover individual files only.
- Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
- Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
- Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Braincrypt and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
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- ^ Mark Summerfield. Why Go?. Programming in Go: Creating Applications for the 21st Century.
- ^ Cryptography standards. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- ^ Jeffrey Esposito. Hospital learns the hard way why you don’t pay ransomware crooks. Kaspersky Lab Official Blog. We use words to save the world.
- ^ Why Ransomware Works: The Psychology and Methods Used to Distribute, Infect, and Extort. Trend Micro USA. Securing Your Journey to the Cloud.
- ^ Nick Biasini, Edmund Brumaghin. Cerber Spam: Tor All the Things!. Cisco Talos. Comprehensive Threat Intelligence.