How to remove Gandcrab 5.1 ransomware

GandCrab 5.1 – another variant of the infamous GandCrab virus but thanks to security experts is now decryptable

Gandcrab 5.1 is one of the most active Gandcrab ransomware variants which first showed up in January 2019. The crypto malware family that is considered to be one of the most prolific cyber threats in the recent years is created in order to encrypt users' personal files and then demand ransom in Dash or Bitcoin for the decryption key. To make data unreadable, Gandcrab 5.1 virus uses Salsa20 encryption algorithm and appends an extension which consists of random characters. After the modification of victims' documents, pictures, music, videos, databases, and other files, the virus changes the desktop wallpaper consisting of a brief message and drops a ransom note “[victim's_ID]-DECRYPT.txt” into each of the affected folders. Hackers explain that users need to pay $1200 and contact them via the Tor network. Gandcrab V5.1 used several distribution methods, including Fallout EK, fraudulent email attachments, and even the PowerShell command in a picture of a video game character Mario.^[1] Fortunately, security researchers announced that this prominent variant can be decrypted now with the help of Bitdefender's decryptor.^[2]

Once Gandcrab v5.1 infects the targeted computer system, it produces a ransom message which is named “[random characters]-DECRYPT.txt”. The note claims:

—= GANDCRAB V5.1 =—

***********************UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT DELETE THIS FILE, UNTIL ALL YOUR DATA IS RECOVERED***********************

*****FAILING TO DO SO, WILL RESULT IN YOUR SYSTEM CORRUPTION, IF THERE ARE DECRYPTION ERRORS*****

Attention!

All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted and have the extension: .XXXXX

The only method of recovering files is to purchase an unique private key. Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files.

The server with your key is in a closed network TOR. You can get there by the following ways:

—————————————————————————————-

| 0. Download Tor browser – https://www.torproject.org/

| 1. Install Tor browser 
| 2. Open Tor Browser 
| 3. Open link in TOR browser: [link]
| 4. Follow the instructions on this page

—————————————————————————————-

On our page you will see instructions on payment and get the opportunity to decrypt 1 file for free.

ATTENTION!

IN ORDER TO PREVENT DATA DAMAGE:

* DO NOT MODIFY ENCRYPTED FILES
* DO NOT CHANGE DATA BELOW

—BEGIN GANDCRAB KEY—
******
—END GANDCRAB KEY—

—BEGIN PC DATA—
******
—END PC DATA—

Gandcrab 5.1 ransomware is using a unique algorithm to lock the targeted files which is called Salsa20.^[3] Even though the crooks might threaten the user that the only way to recover lost data is by paying them, be clever and do not rush to pay the demanded ransom price! According to tech experts from Virusai.lt,^[4] such crooks are very likely to scam the victims.

We suggest performing the Gandcrab 5.1 removal with reputable tools only. Furthermore, note that you need to detect all virus-related content in the system, otherwise, if you leave some hazardous components on the computer, you might not be able to perform any data recovery methods successfully. For malware detection, use FortectIntego or another similar program.

Once you remove Gandcrab 5.1 from the system, you can proceed with some file restoring methods that we have provided at the end of this article. Furthermore, make sure that you boot your computer to Safe Mode with Networking or activate the System Restore feature to disable the ransomware^[5] and all its activities permanently.

Unfortunately, Gandcrab 5.1 decryptor is still in the development, so there is no official tool you can download to disable the code that made your files useless. If you lost your files, be sure to find your backups after eliminating this malware from the system. This is the most effective way to recover encrypted data. If you can't find them or if you simply don't have them, try using third party tools that are given at the end of this removal guide.

It is also known that Gandcrab 5.1 ransomware is capable of erasing Shadow Volume Copies of the target files which means that files can hardly be restored by using Shadow Explorer. If so, the ransomware virus manipulates a Windows component named wmic.exe which performs the elimination of the Shadow Copies.^[6]

GandCrab v5.1 keeps changing its distribution tactics and performance

According to the latest findings, GandCrab v5.1 has started relying on exploit kits, e.g. Fallout EK, to infect systems with its code undetected. Additionally, virus authors have changed tactics on the initial encryption process, file extensions and the ransom page.

When, in most cases, ransomware appends one specifically generated extension to the encrypted data, GandCrab now uses randomly created IDs to mark files. Each of them also gets its own TOR browser page with ransom payment instructions. The unique ID appeared when the updated Fallout exploit kit came to light in early January 2019. Since January 15th, this Fallout EK activity was linked to the delivery of GandCrab ransomware.

Alongside this exploit kit, the particular GandCrab v5.1 ransomware was recently discovered as the secondary payload in the distribution of Vidar infostealer.^[7] The campaign is also using exploit kit to infiltrate targeted devices and, once infected, drop Vidar malware together with the ransomware on the computer. 

Next to EKs, the virus is actively spread via email spam or online

It is known that Gandcrab 5.1 has been trying to access the computer system via rogue email messages that appear to include the infected file attachment. According to one victim who was infected with the ransomware, the questionable email message looked like this:

From: Deanna Bennett <>
Subject: Payment Invoice #93611
Attachment: DOC402942349491-PDF.7Z

Dear Customer,
To read your document please open the attachment and reply as soon as possible.
Kind regards,
TCR Customer Support

As you can see, crooks who are hiding behind Gandcrab 5.1 ransomware pretend to be from specific organizations and try to convince the users to open the attached document (.docx, .JS, or .PDF file) which appears to be malicious. The subject of such false email messages include the following phrases:

• Ticket #07009
• Order #87884
• Document #72170
• Invoice #21613
• Payment #72985
• Your Document #78391
• Your Order #16323
• Your Ticket #23428

The attachments used to spread Gandcrab v5.1 include the following names. However, they can be changed while trying to infect unaware users:

• DOC402942349491-PDF.7Z
• DOC402942349491-PDF.docx
• DOC402942349491-PDF.js
• DOC402942349491-PDF.PDF
• Love_You_2019_300232289-txt.ZIP
• Love_You_2019_300232289-txt.JS

Nevertheless, Gandcrab 5.1 virus is also capable of spreading via rogue online websites, software cracks, adware, and similar downloads, so make sure you are very careful while browsing the Internet and avoid downloading software packages such as Merging Image to PDF, Securitask, SysTools PST Merge.

Be aware of questionable-looking links and other components that you overcome while browsing. If you ever enter a rogue website, make sure that you close it immediately and never return to it again. Additionally, make sure that you carefully track all your incoming downloads which you can do in the Custom or Advanced settings' section. Furthermore, ensure that no installation step was skipped as you might miss some hazardous content and let it successfully infiltrate your computer system.

Delete Gandcrab v5.1 from your computer system and unlock files

If Gandcrab 5.1 has occupied your computer and locked all of your valuable files, you should eliminate the ransomware virus before you perform the recovery process. First, detect all malware-laden objects in the infected system. We suggest downloading and installing one of these tools: FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. These programs are capable of scanning the entire computer, finding damaged entries, and detecting unsafe components.

Note that Gandcrab v5.1 removal cannot be performed manually as hazardous components might be missed by the human eye. Additionally, make sure that you reboot the system to Safe Mode with Networking to disable the malicious activity. After this, take a look at our below-provided file recovery steps. Complete the methods exactly as shown in the instructions.