CryptoNar ransomware (Removal Guide) - Decryption Steps Included

CryptoNar virus Removal Guide

What is CryptoNar ransomware?

CryptoNar is a dangerous ransomware that shares similar code with CryptoJoker

CryptoNar ransomwareCryptoNar ransomware virus is a cyber infection that hails from the same family as CryptoJoker. The virus is focusing on crypto-extortion.

CryptoNar is a ransomware that is possibly created by CryptoJoker ransomware developers. These speculations showed up after noticing that the virus contains code from the previously-known ransomware. This particular ransomware starts the attack with the RSA-2048 encryption code[1] used to lock most important victim's files. The attack is followed by the .cryptonar extension added to each modified file. Additionally, the ransomware displays a window with the ransom note demanding $200 in bitcoin from the victim to get these files decrypted. You shouldn't pay the ransom because this is one of the main reasons why hackers continue releasing such threats. Besides, recently security experts presented a free decryption tool[2] for victims of CryptoNar ransomware.

Name CryptoNar ransomware
Type Cryptovirus
Related CryptoJoker ransomware
Encryption method RSA-2048
File extension .fully.cryptoNar, .partially.cryptoNar
ransom note CRYPTONAR RECOVERY INFORMATION.txt
Ransom amount $200 in BTC
Distribution Spam email attachment
Elimination Use FortectIntego for CryptoNar ransomware removal

This ransomware virus starts its attack by collecting specific information about its victims. It looks for various strings that can reveal the information about the victim's name, location, phone number, address or any other information related to account credentials. Additionally, CryptoNar then starts modifying various user's data and some predetermined parts of the system. The intruder takes over the system and changes Windows Registry keys so that it could launch automatically. This makes the virus elimination even more difficult.

This crypto-extortionist locks files using sophisticated encryption method called RSA-2048. As a result, a unique key created for each file and the .cryptonar appendix is added to the file names. The best way to recover these files is to use backups and replace the affected data with them. However, virus developers are stating that there is only one way to recover data and this is a decryption tool. No matter how tempting it seems, you shouldn't pay the ransom.

The ransom note placed by CryptoNar reads as follows:

Your important files including photos, videos, documents, databases, etc. were encrypted with our CryptoNar ransomware. The only way to get your files back is to pay us. otherwise, your files will be lost forever.

Important note: Removing CryptoNar will not restore access to your encrypted files.

Encryption was made using a unique RSA-2048 public key generated for this computer. To decrypt files you need to acquire the private key (decryption key).
The only copy of the private key, which will allow you to decrypt your files, is located on a secret server in the Internet; the server will eliminate the key after 72 hours since its generation (since the moment your computer was infected). once this has been done, nobody will ever be able to restore your files.

In order to receive your decryption key, you will have to pay $200 in bitcoins to this bitcoin address: 1FeutvrveiF8odnnx9Rr3cyBfFiecFeKwRq

When time comes to send the bitcoins to us, make sure to include your e-mail and your personal ID (you can see it below) in the extra information box (it may apper also as ‘Extra Note or ‘optional message’) in order to get your personal decryption key. It may take up to 6-8 hours to take your personal decryption key.

After the payment was made, and you received your decryption key, just press the decryption button in the decryptor (located on the desktop). Enter your decryption key you received, and wait until the decryption process is done.

Your ID:

CryptoNar ransomware suggests people contact its developers right after infection and pay the ransom within 72 hours, but the best solution in this ransomware attack is to delete this virus as soon as possible. You should never trust these people behind a cyber threat as they can leave you with nothing.

Proper CryptoNar ransomware removal should be done using anti-malware tools because this program allows you to get rid of all related files that virus may add on your device during the infiltration. Tools like FortectIntego scan the system and detect possible threats, system errors or vulnerabilities. This program can fix all of those issues without any effort.

Once you remove CryptoNar ransomware, you can start data recovery. Researchers[3] always advise people to make sure that the device is clean before plugging in any device with backups. Otherwise, the ransomware can encrypt newly added data or files saved on an external device too. If you don't have these extra copies, we suggest a few file recovery methods below the article.

CryptoNar ransomware virusCryptoNar ransomware is a cryptovirus that demands a $200 ransom for locked files.

Virus samples can be distributed via spam email attachments

Ransomware can be spread using various attack campaigns and different methods. However, the most common is spam email campaigns. This is a method when hackers infect malicious elements on emails or their attachments. The email itself may look safe and legitimate, but the file can contain the virus directly or spread other malicious contents using links and URLs. When you unknowingly click the provided link or download the file on your computer malware is spread automatically. If you want to avoid these infections you should look out for:

  • Emails with lots of commercial content or suspicious attachments.
  • Typos and grammar mistakes in emails.
  • Messages sent from a service you do not use.
  • Direct links to suspicious websites on the email itself.

Criminals can also disguise their malicious activity with known names of services and companies. So pay attention if you got an email from a well-known service that you are not using. These emails may also be filled with the content that makes no sense based on the company itself. Delete all the suspicious spam emails without opening them.

CryptoNar removal requires attention

To remove CryptoNar ransomware, you should employ reputable anti-malware tools given below this article. A full system scan will clean your system thoroughly. However, they won't help you with the recovery of encrypted data. In this particular case, we recommend these tools: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. Programs like these can find system issues, errors and various types of malware including ransomware.

The second step in CryptoNar ransomware removal is data recovery. However, you should double-check if the system is clear before attempting to restore encrypted files, especially, if you use file backups on external devices. If you do the opposite, you can lose your files permanently because ransomware can encrypt your data again. You can use our tips for data recovery below if you have no backups on cloud services or external devices.

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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 CryptoNar virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

To disable ransomware, your first step should be rebooting the device in Safe Mode with Networking:

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 CryptoNar using System Restore

Also, you can try System Restore feature if the first method fails:

  • 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 CryptoNar. 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 CryptoNar removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

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

If CryptoNar ransomware encrypted your files try Data Recovery Pro and restore them

This is a program designed for restoring various deleted or encrypted 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 CryptoNar ransomware;
  • Restore them.

If you want to restore individual files encrypted by CryptoNar ransomware, try Windows Previous Versions feature

Unfortunately, this feature works if System Restore was enabled before the ransomware attack

  • 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”.

ShadowExplorer can restore your files

However, it only works when Shadow Volume Copies are left untouched

  • 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.

You can try this decryption tool that supposedly works for CryptoNar ransomware

This is the tool that is associated with this ransomware and other previously mentioned variants. Download the tool here.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from CryptoNar 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.

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

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