AnonCrack ransomware / virus (Free Instructions) - Removal Guide

AnonCrack virus Removal Guide

What is AnonCrack ransomware virus?

AnonCrack ransomware targets Spanish users

The image of AnonCrack ransom note

AnonCrack virus is the name of a new file-encrypting virus which is oriented at Spanish[1] users as the ransom note is written in the respective language. It is another ransomware created on the basis of HiddenTear.

Luckily, multiple security tools already detect the malware as Gen:Heur.Ransom.HiddenTears.1, MSIL.Trojan-Ransom.Cryptear.A, and Ransom_RAMSIL.SM[2]. After it infects the system and encodes files, it appends .crack file extension. In case, victims run into technical difficulties, they can contact the perpetrators via anoncrack@protonmail.com.

It is still unknown whether anyone contacted the perpetrators. Another distinctive feature of this malware – it disguises under fake Paypal money sender app. Specifically, the ransomware hides under Paypal Money Sender V2.0.exe.

Interestingly, the malware targets older computers running 32-bit Intel 386 processors. Furthermore, the malware hides under counterfeited PayPal sender app and it demands quite a small ransom. However, the initial motive behind targeting older processors remains unknown. In any case, it is not recommended to pay the ransom but perform AnonCrack removal. FortectIntego or Malwarebytes might speed up the process.

More “international” threats

Besides mentioned features, it also drops the mscoree.dll executable file. As common for ransomware, AnonCrack ransomware developers urge victims to remit the payment within 7 days. Otherwise, the amount raises from $30 up to $100.

Interestingly, Spanish hackers recently have made a move. More Spanish-oriented ransomware have appeared in the cyber space. Another sample is Bugware which is said to have originated from Brazil. Besides wasting time and money, you can check whether these free HiddenTear decrypters can be of use. Before you use them, remove AnonCrack virus completely. The picture illustrating AnonCrack ransom notes and its alternative namesAnonCrack disguises under fake PayPal app.

Transmission tendencies

Bear in mind that this kind of malware pretends to be PayPal app. Perhaps the perpetrators picked up the idea from recent CCleaner v5.33 incident[3]. Note that there is no app which is called PayPal Money Sender. You can send the money from the official account or via PayPal app downloaded from Apple or Google Play store.

This malicious impersonator is likely to have been distributed in forums or insecure websites. Do not forget that a significant number of ransomware threats are still distributed via spam emails (beware of the new Locky version – Asasin). In order to escape AnonCrack hijack or the encounter with another ransomware, improve the overall security of your system and pay attention to the downloaded content and received email attachments.

Eliminate AnonCrack from the operating system

Before you proceed to data recovery, remove AnonCrack virus with the assistance with the elimination tool. In case you cannot launch it, check below guide. It explains how you can reboot the system in Safe Mode.

After you complete AnonCrack removal procedure, download free HiddenTear decrypters. Though they were created for the original version of the malware, there is still a higher probability to restore data rather than rely on hackers’ conscience.

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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 AnonCrack virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Launch the system in Safe Mode to access a security tool and remove AnonCrack crypto-malware.

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 AnonCrack 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 AnonCrack. 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 AnonCrack removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

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

Data Recovery Pro method

This is the tool which helps users recover damaged or lost files. It may come in handy dealing with the files encrypted by ramsomware.

  • 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 AnonCrack ransomware;
  • Restore them.

The benefits of ShadowExplorer

If the free decrypters fail to decode the files, try recovering them with ShadowExplorer program. It uses shadow volume copies to create the copies of the original data.

  • 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.

AnonCrack Decrypter

There is no specific tool created  for this version. Nonetheless, you may find either of these free decrypters useful:

  1. HiddenTear Decrypter
  2. HiddenTear Bruteforcer 

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from AnonCrack 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
Gabriel E. Hall
Gabriel E. Hall - Passionate web researcher

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References