CryptoShield 2.0 ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Instructions) - Recovery Instructions Included
CryptoShield 2.0 virus Removal Guide
What is CryptoShield 2.0 ransomware virus?
CryptoShield 2.0 ransomware strikes again – what is known about this virus?
CryptoShield 2.0 virus emerged shortly after CryptoShield 1.0 and 1.1 versions. There aren’t many significant changes in the virus’ code – it slightly altered the ransom note, but no other apparent changes were noticed. Once installed, CryptoShield 2.0 ransomware employs RSA-2048[1] cipher to render computer user’s files useless. Once it happens, files cannot be recovered (unless the victim has a backup). During the encryption process, virus scans system files and encrypts them, adding .CRYPTOSHIELD extensions to original file extensions on its way.
CryptoShield 2.0 ransomware infects the system and encrypts all files in a few minutes. After encrypting all files, it creates ransom notes in HTML and TXT formats. The ransom note is named # RESTORING FILES # and the virus saves it on the desktop.
Just like previous versions of this virus, CryptoShield 2.0 malware creates a ransom note called # RESTORING FILES #.txt and # RESTORING FILES #.html on the desktop. One of these files is a text document that opens via Notepad, and the other opens via user’s default web browser. Both these files contain a message that cyber criminals[2] want to deliver. The message says:
All of your files were encrypted by a strong encryption with RSA-2048 using CryptoShield 2.0. DANGEROUS.
The virus requires the victim to pay a ransom as shortly as possible; otherwise, they promise to double the ransom price. Cyber criminals do not bother creating an online page[3] to collect payments – they ask the victim to contact them via email (res_sup@india.com, res_sup@computer4u.com or res_reserve@india.com). However, you should not write to these emails if you do not plan to pay the ransom to extortionists. You must remember that they are free to do what they want and that chances are high that they do not even help victims[4] to restore their files even if a ransom is paid. If you have a backup of your files, you can use it to restore files encrypted by CryptoShield 2.0 ransomware virus. However, do not try to connect it to your computer if the virus is still there. Remove CryptoShield 2.0 malware with FortectIntego or similar program first!
How could I get infected?
Ransomware viruses typically lurk in pirated software packs, infectious email attachments or compromised websites[5]. If you like to browse the Internet on a daily basis, try to avoid websites that appear at least a little bit suspicious to you. Also, do not download or open email attachments received from unknown people or companies. Another good tip is to remember the rule “if it looks too good to be true, it is.” For example, if you were not supposed to receive a payment from someone via Paypal, do not click on suspicious links that someone pretending to be from Paypal sends to you (the same applies to suspicious invoices, and similar documents). Finally, make sure all your programs are up-to-date because malicious tools such as exploit kits can use vulnerabilities in outdated software to execute commands and install malware on your computer.
How can I remove CryptoShield 2.0 ransomware and decrypt my files?
Before we speak about .cryptoshield data decryption, we have to tell you that it is a must to remove CryptoShield 2.0 virus before taking any data recovery measures. Your computer must be entirely clean before you start recovering your files. You can import data copies from a backup, but if you do not have it, use instructions that we provided right below CryptoShield 2.0 removal tutorial. We strongly advise you to use automatic malware removal software to delete this virus from the system – do not risk removing the wrong files by trying to delete the virus by yourself.
Getting rid of CryptoShield 2.0 virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If you are ready to remove CryptoShield 2.0 virus, restart your computer using these instructions. Please pay attention to every detail in this tutorial.
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 CryptoShield 2.0 using System Restore
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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.
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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 CryptoShield 2.0. 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 CryptoShield 2.0 from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If you have a backup, count yourself lucky. In such case, you only need to remove the virus and import files from a backup. If you do not have a backup, data recovery will take a lot of time and patience, but remember that you might still never recover your files. However, we suggest you try these data recovery methods.
If your files are encrypted by CryptoShield 2.0, you can use several methods to restore them:
Try Data Recovery Pro
Data Recovery Pro usually comes in handy when dealing with a lot of corrupted/encrypted files. You can try it on files that have .cryptoshield extensions.
- 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 CryptoShield 2.0 ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions feature
To use this method, you need to have a system restore point (created a while ago). If you created it in the past, follow 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”.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from CryptoShield 2.0 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.
- ^ RSA Encryption. Wolfram MathWorld. The Web's Most Extensive Mathematics Resource.
- ^ Ransomware – When cybercriminals hold your computer hostage. Norton Security Center. A Complete Online Security Resource.
- ^ David Bisson. Spora Ransomware Equipped with Sophisticated Encryption, Payment Site. Tripwire - The State of Security. IT Security News and Blog.
- ^ Christian Cawley. 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Pay Ransomware Scammers. MakeUseOf. Technology, Simplified.
- ^ How to Fix “The HoeflerText font wasn’t found” Error?. Ugetfix. How to fix computer.