CryptoLockerEU ransomware / virus (Removal Guide) - Decryption Steps Included
CryptoLockerEU virus Removal Guide
What is CryptoLockerEU ransomware virus?
Yet another copy of the old CryptoLocker: CryptoLockerEU ransomware
CryptoLockerEU virus is just another example of a ransomware virus that uses a modified name of an old and well-known ransomware virus which is called Cryptolocker. Once it infiltrates the target system, it attacks all files that the victim stores on the computer.[1] Every file that this ransomware touches gets encrypted and also receives an additional file extension, which looks like this: .send 0.3 BTC crypt. The virus leaves a ransom note on the computer system to inform the victim about the cyber attack and command him to pay a ransom. According to the ransom note, which is called ĐŔŃŘČÔĐÎ ŔŇÜ ÔŔÉËŰ.txt (encryption error, the real ransom note name should be РАСШИФРОВАТЬ ФАЙЛЫ.txt), the full virus’ name is CryptoLockerEU 2016 rusia. The ransom note ensures that files on victim’s computer have been distorted with RSA-2048bit encryption[1], which is known to be a complex encryption algorithm used to secure military-grade secrets. The virus demands a ransom of 0.3 BTC (which is approximately $320) within seven days; otherwise, the data decryption key will be deleted. What is also interesting is that the virus provides a virus ID, and even four email addresses to contact cyber criminals after paying the ransom. The currently known email addresses of cyber frauds are these:
- decryptme.files@mail.ru;
- europol.eurofuck@yandex.com;
- super.decryptme2016@yandex.com;
- efwerez2015@yandex.com.
If your computer has been hit by this nasty malware variant, please do not even consider paying the ransom. We do understand that your files are important, but you should think about the bigger picture. Every time a victim pays a ransom, cyber criminals get motIvated to continue their illegal activities[2]. Remember – there is no guarantee that cyber criminals will help you to restore your files, even if you send money to them. They might just take your money and disappear. To restore your files, use data backups[3] or data recovery instructions presented below. Remember – before trying to restore corrupted data, you should remove CryptoLockerEU virus from the system using a strong malware remover, such as FortectIntego. We do not provide manual CryptoLockerEU removal tutorial because it is very hard to delete such malicious programs manually.
How did I get infected with a ransomware-type virus?
Ransomware viruses are distributed via email, corrupted Internet sites, and other virtual channels[4]. An important detail to remember is that malicious viruses always travel in the form of a safe-looking document, file, archive, or software update. Therefore, you must think twice before clicking on anything on the Internet. Be very careful when opening email letters sent by unknown people – even if they claim to be delivering important messages to you, do not trust them. For example, one of the most dangerous computer viruses known as Locky[5] is currently distributed via fake email attachments called “Document/Photo/Scan from office.” “Invoice” and so on. Opening such attachment can lead to tragic consequences and data loss, so be careful! The most efficient way of securing your files is creating backups and installing a reliable anti-malware protection software. Also, do not forget to follow your common sense when exploring the world wide web!
How can I remove CryptoLockerEU ransomware from the computer?
CryptoLockerEU virus is dangerous, but you can still clean your computer from it without a computer technician’s help. Simply use your anti-malware program to delete this malicious virus from the system. To remove CryptoLockerEU ransomware, use antivirus or anti-malware/anti-spyware tools. We highly suggest using FortectIntego for CryptoLockerEU removal, because it can not only delete viruses but spyware/malware infections and optimize your PC afterward. You can find a complete ransomware removal tutorial below.
Getting rid of CryptoLockerEU virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If your computer has been attacked, you should follow provided instructions and get this virus out of the system as soon as you can. It is highly recommended to restart your computer into Safe Mode before trying to remove this malicious program with anti-malware tools.
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 CryptoLockerEU using System Restore
-
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.
- Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
-
Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
- Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
- Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
- When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of CryptoLockerEU. After doing that, click Next.
- Now click Yes to start system restore.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove CryptoLockerEU 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 CryptoLockerEU, you can use several methods to restore them:
Try Data Recovery Pro
There are numerous data recovery tools that promise to restore your corrupted files, but our team says that Data Recovery Pro is the most trustwothy one. Remember – even this tool might fail to restore your files, because CryptoLockerEU ransomware virus encrypts them using unknown decryption code. However, you should still give this tool a try – it might restore some of your most valuable files.
- 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 CryptoLockerEU ransomware;
- Restore them.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from CryptoLockerEU and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
- ^ Ransomware facts. microsoft blog.
- ^ Margaret Rouse. RSA algorithm (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman). SearchSecurity. Information Security information, news and tips.
- ^ Backup of Data . BullGuard Internet Security Center. PC Security articles.
- ^ Ransomware. Trend Micro USA. Internet Security .
- ^ Jake Doe. Locky virus. How to Remove? (Uninstall Guide). 2-Spyware. Fighting against spyware.