CryptolockerEmulator ransomware (Bonus: Decryption Steps) - Easy Removal Guide

CryptolockerEmulator virus Removal Guide

What is CryptolockerEmulator ransomware?

CryptolockerEmulator – a test ransomware that might be upgraded any minute

Image of CryptolockerEmulator ransomware

CryptolockerEmulator is a ransomware-type virus that is currently in development mode. The author of the malware – A. Sedunov – created a malicious program that uses RSA cryptography to corrupt files on the affected device. However, at the moment of writing, the virus does not encrypt any files.

Currently, the CryptolockerEmulator ransomware does not spread actively. However, if the virus will be improved, it’s executable might be spread using various methods, such as malicious spam emails or bogus downloads.

The CryptolockerEmulator virus executed from CryptolockerEmulator.exe file. Crypto-malware makes several system changes and might create new Windows Registry entries to start with system startup. When virus starts data encryption procedure. It aims at 72 file extensions that are stored in C:: \ Users Offline \ the User \ Desktop directory:

.3fr, .accdb, .ai, .arw, .bay, .cdr, .cer, .cr2, .crt, .crw, .dbf, .dcr, .der, .dng, .doc, .docm, .docx , .dwg, .dxf, .dxg, .eps , .erf, .indd, .jpe, .jpg, .jpg, .kdc, .mdb, .mdf, .mef, .mrw, .nef, .nrw, .odb, .odc, .odm, .odp, .ods, .odt, .orf, .p12, .p7b, .p7c, .pdd, .pdf, .pef, .pem, .pfx, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .psd, .pst, .ptx, .r3d, .raf, .raw, .rtf, .rw2, .rwl, .sr2, .srf, .srw, .wb2, .wpd, .wps, .x3f , .xlk, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm , .xlsx.

As you can see, CryptolockerEmulator targets the most popular file types in order to cause problems to the computer users. All file-encrypting viruses operate in the same manner because when users lose access to the important data, they are most likely to pay the ransom.

However, a current version of the ransomware does not provide any ransom note. It’s possible that developers are working on the technical side of the program and will include the Bitcoin[1] demanding message later. Thus, if you accidentally encounter this cyber threat, you should remove CryptolockerEmulator ASAP and do not wait until it is upgraded.

The safest and quickest CryptolockerEmulator removal option is system scan with professional security software, such as FortectIntego. However, if ransomware blocks access to malware removal software, you should check the instructions below and disable the virus by rebooting to Safe Mode with Networking or using System Restore method.

Illustration of CryptolockerEmulator ransomware virusCryptolockerEmulator currently is under development; however, crooks might start distributing the virus soon.

Security tips for ransomware prevention

File-encrypting viruses spread similarly. Most of the time, the payload is attached to spam emails that pretend to be legit letters from banks, government institutions or well-known companies. Social engineering helps crooks to trick people into opening the obfuscated email attachment and download malware to the system.

Therefore, users are advised to be careful with malicious spam emails and open attachments only when you are 100% certain about its credibility and safety. Additionally, security researchers from Los Virus[2] warn about other methods used by developers of crypto-viruses:

  • malicious ads placed on legit and high-risk websites;
  • bogus downloads and fake updates;
  • exploit kits.

Computer users should not click on ads that seem “too good to be true” or offer to download missing updates. In addition, security alerts or notifications about detected viruses never show up in the form of a pop-up. Thus, never click those entries!

Finally, keep your programs and operating system up-to-date because ransomware can take advantage of vulnerabilities and infiltrate the device. Moreover, you should install an antivirus program and create data backups.[3]

Deletion of the Cryptolocker Emulator virus

Nevertheless, the virus is still in development mode and hasn’t started active distribution campaign; you can never be sure when the situation might change. Thus, if your device suffered from this ransomware attack, you have to scan the system with FortectIntego, Malwarebytes and another malware elimination program and remove CryptolockerEmulator.

However, before obtaining security software and scanning the system, you should reboot the computer to Safe Mode with Networking (instructions below). It will ensure smooth automatic CryptolockerEmulator removal.

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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 CryptolockerEmulator virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Reboot computer to Safe Mode to enable automatic CryptolockerEmulator ransomware elimination:

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 CryptolockerEmulator using System Restore

System Restore might also help to disable the virus and delete it with security software.

  • 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 CryptolockerEmulator. 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 CryptolockerEmulator removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

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

Try Data Recovery Pro

If some of your files were affected by CryptolockerEmulator, you can try to restore them with 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 CryptolockerEmulator ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Try Windows Previous Versions feature

If System Restore feature was turned on before ransomware attack, you can copy individual versions of files by following these steps:

  • 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”.

Try ShadowExplorer

ShadowExplorer helps to restore files from Shadow Volume Copies. Thus, you can use this tool if ransomware did not delete shadow copies.

  • 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.

CryptolockerEmulator decryptor is not available.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from CryptolockerEmulator 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
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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