Cryptowall 5.1 ransomware / virus (Recovery Instructions Included)

Cryptowall 5.1 virus Removal Guide

What is Cryptowall 5.1 ransomware virus?

CryptoWall 5.1 does not cease terrifying the virtual community

CryptoWall 5.1 virus (also called as CryotoLocker) has emerged to accomplish its menacing mission – to encrypt users’ data. This particular group of ransomware emerged in 2014 and throughout these couple of years evolved into a massive ransomware campaign. Its name resonated in the most remote places of the world as corporations or ordinary people having at least reasonable Internet connection risked getting infected with this malware. In the beginning, it started out as ad-based malware [1]. However, soon it shifted from this method to a more exquisite one. Like the original version, the fifth installment employs an AES-256 algorithm to lock out personal users’ data. Comparing it with AES-128, it generates much longer and, thus, less crackable key. Such boost in computer viruses has led companies to reconsider their data security systems [2]. The latest version of this cyber menace should not be underestimated. If it happened to corrupt your files, proceed to CryptoWall 5.1 removal guide. FortectIntego is a tool which ensures complete elimination of the virus.

Ransomware has remained a hot topic in the past months since every day a new file-encrypting malware emerges. What is more, samples continuously assault medical institution and may even point their attention to medical IoT devices as they are upgraded to the “smart mode” [3]. There are several explanations to such activity. First of all, public exposure of open-source ransomware designed for educational purposes helps hacker-wannabees to learn the basics of this cyber menace. Likewise, within a short period of time, they generate their own virus and unleash it online. What is more, they quickly learn the usage peculiarities of AES and RSA encryption codes. The former usually encrypts the data while the latter encodes the very encryption key. Consequently, such action eliminates all chances of easy data recovery. In relation to this, CryptoWall 5.1 malware, which is alternatively known as Il tuo computer e stato infettato da Cryptolocker! ransomware, also uses the same method to lock out files [4]. Here is a short extract from the ransom note:

All files having the .locked extension have been blocked; you need to unlock the private key.

While the public key и been saved in a directory of your computer system, the private и been sent to our server, to get it you have to pay the amount of 250 €.
As soon as the amount is credited with one of the payment methods, you will receive by mail the private key, and regain access to your data.
Otherwise, at the end of 48h provided for the payment of the ransom, the private key will be deleted, and it will no longer be possible to recover files.
CAUTION: Removing cryptolocker will not restore access to encrypted files.
Contaсt: cryptowall51@sigaint.org

Even though the original ransom note is displayed in the Italian language, users of other regions should stay alerted. CryptoWall 5.1 ransomware urges its victims to transfer the money within 48 hours. It is a common technique to scare users. Taking into account how much profit all versions of this malware managed to collect [5], do not foster hopes of getting the files back. Instead, remove CryptoWall 5.1 right away.

CryptoWall 5.1 example

The transmission of the malware

It prefers spreads via spam emails. They have been a common tool for disguising file-encrypting malware binaries in counterfeited delivery failure emails or financial reports. However, you can successfully look through the disguise if you attentively watch for spelling or typing mistakes. In addition, some file-encrypting viruses employ exploit kits to broaden their range of the attack. In that case users and corporations are encouraged to increase their security programs. In addition, regular backups of the data are obligatory to reduce the damage in case of a cyber attack. In this regard, you will be able to sooth the after-effects even if CryptoWall 5.1 hijack occurs.

CryptoWall 5.1 ransomware elimination procedure

When it comes to any ransomware attack, we recommend confronting it with FortectIntego or Malwarebytes. These applications are specifically designed for combating ransomware. They are able to detect minor threats which might transmit the infected elements of the file-encrypting threats. When CryptoWall 5.1 removal is complete, scroll down to find alternative methods to recover the data. System backups may also serve as the means to retrieve the lost data. If the computer is malfunctioning for any reason and you cannot fully remove CryptoWall 5.1 virus, regain the access to the PC by following the following instructions.

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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 Cryptowall 5.1 virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

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 Cryptowall 5.1 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 Cryptowall 5.1. 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 Cryptowall 5.1 removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Cryptowall 5.1 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 Cryptowall 5.1, you can use several methods to restore them:

Opting for Data Recovery Pro

If you happened to be in the situation where you did not back up your files nor you have the copies stored in a portable device, install this tool to recover at least some of your 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 Cryptowall 5.1 ransomware;
  • Restore them.

The benefits of ShadowExplorer

This utility might boost up your chances as it works on shadow volume copies. By using the patterns, the program generates the copies of the affected files.

  • 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.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Cryptowall 5.1 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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