Cryptolocker3 ransomware / virus (Removal Instructions)

Cryptolocker3 virus Removal Guide

What is Cryptolocker3 ransomware virus?

Cryptolocker3 – another CryptoLocker impersonator?

Cryptolocker3 virus is a fraudulent crypto-ransomware [1] which pretends to be a version of the notorious CryptoLocker virus. Although the primary variant of this cyber infection is long gone [2], this does not stop other parasites from using its name and continuing to infect new computers. Cryptolocker3 malware is one of those fake follow-up versions that has been recently released on the Web. Though initially targeted at English-speaking users, this ransomware is capable of taking over computers anywhere around the world. Luckily, its prevalence is by far rather low [3], so there is still time to take protective measures against its infiltration. To ensure your device is well-secured, you should install reputable antivirus software like FortectIntego. You may also use it for the Cryptolocker3 removal, in case you are infected. Don’t forget to make backup copies of your important files and save them on some external storage drive.

The Cryptolocker3 attack begins with the alteration of the infected computer’s registry in order to set up a lock screen [4] which would appear every time the device is booted. Visually, the lock screen features a similar design as the primary CryptoLocker versions and serves the same purpose as well. It prevents the victim from booting the system properly and serves as a ransom note in which the scammers explain what has happened to the computer and provide instructions that supposedly will help fix it. This group of hackers who call themselves “staffttt” demand 0.5 Bitcoin for the data decryption key which should decrypt the RSA-2048 cipher used to jumble up your files, rendering them unreadable [5]. This military-grade algorithm also appends the affected documents with .cryptolocker extensions this way giving the victims a better chance to evaluate the scale of the attack. Since this ransomware encrypts most of the popular file types, it is not at all surprising that the most users accept the ransom conditions and pay up. Nevertheless, this is the last thing you should do. In fact, you should remove Cryptolocker3 as soon as possible and prevent the criminals from earning from these illegal activities in any way. The practice shows that the data decryption keys the ransomware creators offer are often useless and at the end of the day, the victims remain locked out from their documents and robbed off their money as well.

How can you infect your PC with this ransomware?

Just like its predecessor, Cryptolocker3 attempts to infect computers in a variety of different ways. For instance, you may unknowingly download it disguised as a software update or included inside some repacked software bundle. Nevertheless, most likely CryptoLocker3 developers will use malicious spam campaigns to spread the malware throughout the web. This technique has already been proven as one of the most successful system infiltration techniques by such ransomware giants like Locky virus and CryptoWall. On the part of the ransomware creators it is rather effortless. They simply have to create a convincing email carrying some supposedly important document and wait till some unexpected used takes the bait. We can only warn you to be especially careful when navigating through your inbox and spam catalog!

What are the best CryptoLocker3 removal strategies?

There is not a much choice when it comes to Cryptolocker3 removal approaches. The virus is still rather unexplored, thus remains unpredictable. Tackling it manually can bring more damage than actual benefit to the system. Hence, ransomware viruses are better to be decontaminated automatically, using professional tools designed specifically for this purpose. Nevertheless, in order to remove Cryptolocker3 virus properly, you might also need manual intervention. The guidelines provided below will explain how to decontaminate the infection and ensure its smooth extermination from the system.

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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 Cryptolocker3 virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

The Cryptolocker3 virus may block your antivirus utility from running a smooth system scan. In case this happens when trying to eliminate the virus from your computer, follow the instructions below.

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 Cryptolocker3 using System Restore

If you cannot run your antivirus because Cryptolocker3 is blocking it, you may follow the instructions below to disable the virus features that are responsible for the antivirus blocking function.

  • 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 Cryptolocker3. 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 Cryptolocker3 removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Cryptolocker3 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 Cryptolocker3, you can use several methods to restore them:

Can you trust Data Recovery Pro?

If you are looking for an automatic data recovery solution, you can trust Data Recovery Pro for this purpose. The more detailed instructions on how to use this tool are provided below.

  • 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 Cryptolocker3 ransomware;
  • Restore them.

How can you use the Windows Previous Versions feature?

Windows Previous Versions feature is one of the Windows in-built features that might help outsmart the virus and recover some of your most important files without having to purchase the data decryption key. To learn how to use this feature, check out the guidelines below.

  • 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”.

What are your data recovery options with ShadowExplorer?

ShadowExplorer can be used to recover your data from Volume Shadow Copies that are stored in the system. If the virus has not destroyed these backup copies, do not hesitate and recover your data following the instructions below.

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Cryptolocker3 and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Linas Kiguolis
Linas Kiguolis - Expert in social media

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References
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