Gcyi ransomware (virus) - Recovery Instructions Included
Gcyi virus Removal Guide
What is Gcyi ransomware?
Gcyi ransomware is the infection that encrypts files and appends them using .gcyi marker
Gcyi files virus is a threat that can be considered a malicious program because it involves money extortion and creates issues on the machine besides directly locking the commonly used files. This is a really sophisticated threat that requires immediate attention. The file-locking virus can be based on cryptocurrency extortion features,[1] and it locks down your computer immediately after infection. The infiltration is silent and quick, so none of the symptoms get noticed.
When the ransomware gets inside your system, it encrypts all personal pictures, videos, documents, archives, and other files by using an encryption algorithm. The army grade method allows to change the original code of the file and make the piece unopenable. The process also appends a unique .gcyi extension to each encrypted file's name.
To access the affected data, people need to follow the instructions listed on the ransom note _readme.txt. The victim gets encouraged to pay up and for that person will need a key that is in possession of the attackers. The contact should be initiated and then you can pay for the decryption services from Gcyi file virus creators (support@sysmail.ch or helprestoremanager@airmail). Experts[2] do not recommend writing them via those provided emails – they may end badly with additional malware installs and direct extortion.
| Name | Gcyi virus |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware, file-locker, cryptovirus |
| Family | STOP ransomware/ Djvu file virus |
| File marker | .gcyi |
| Distribution | Files attached to spam emails, delivered with pirating software from torrent platforms and similar sites |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt |
| Contact details | support@sysmail.ch, helprestoremanager@airmail.cc |
| Elimination | Anti-malware tools are crucial here because threats like this can be detected and removed properly only with AV detection engine based programs[3] |
| Restoring system performance | While running on the machine, ransomware triggers additional damaging processes, so try to launch FortectIntego for the best virus damage repair |
Ransomware threat type in detail
These threats that focus on file locking have more symptoms and issues than it seems. The infiltration is silent, quick to affect machines without any warning until they are damaged significantly by ransomware infection. Cryptovirus like Gcyi ransomware can be spread around the world because threat actors release various files with malware payloads in order for their schemes to go unnoticed by victims.
Then creators demand money from victims after claiming they'll recover encoded ones if paid enough. People believe these claims, even though there have been cases where this doesn’t work at all either way. The criminals are scammers who only care about their own gains. Don't let them get away
The ransom note with Gcyi file virus message reads:
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-XG8CpMbJwj
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
support@sysmail.chReserve e-mail address to contact us:
helprestoremanager@airmail.ccYour personal ID:
Removing the infection with additional tools before recovering data
Cryptocurrency extortion has been around for quite some time now, and it's to not only lock down computers but also get money from their victims with lies. There is some good news: running an anti-malware check will remove any infection ASAP, so make sure you do that as soon as possible before it's too late.
Those files that get encoded are directly damaged, but some of the pieces in your system folders can be corrupted. Gcyi ransomware affects commonly used documents and photos because they indicate how often people use them which leads to an even greater risk for loss with this type of cyber threat.
The longer this threat can run on the machine the more issues get created on the computer. It needs immediate attention; otherwise, file-locking will be not the only symptom and issue. The Gcyi virus is one of the most dangerous types out there because it will encrypt all your files and give you an intimidating message demanding money in return for decryption.
It is crucial to remove the infection as soon as you noticed any of the problems with the machine. Anti-malware tools can help with the termination of any of the threats. Trojans and other malware can be related to the cryptovirus infection, so it is crucial to run SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes to find and eliminate the infection properly. Try to stop these activities and then worry about Gcyi ransomware virus damage and possible leftovers.
Once a computer is infected with malware, its system is changed to operate differently. For example, an infection can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is. Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstallation is required.
Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of FortectIntego repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.
- Download the application by clicking on the link above
- Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
- If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
- Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
![Reimage installation]( "Reimage installation")
- The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
![Reimage scan]( "Reimage scan")
- Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
- You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
- If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.
The security industry has been bombarded with news reports regarding new ransomware attacks. The output tone of voice should be serious because this is a major threat that can cause many other issues on the machine, which is why experts always note how important it's to react quickly. Since decryption options are unavailable – we provide alternatives here for your consideration but remember: removing infections will always be most critical in any response plan!
Possibility to decrypt .gcyi files
In recent months, we have seen a variety of new viruses pop up. One, in particular, is the Djvu ransomware virus and its versions. The Gcyi file virus is one of them which relies on online keys during the encryption of your files and then demands payment for their release.
Malware implementation has become more sophisticated in 2019. The family releases non-decryptable versions every week or even more often now to keep up with their goals of getting money. These advanced techniques are why you should always update your antivirus program as soon as possible. Detection evasion is often the technique.
Using the offline key method allowed researchers to help many victims, but those aren't often used by criminals. Online IDs are unique for each separate device affected by the same or different versions of malware. When the connection cannot be initiated with the C&C server, the Gcyi file virus uses offline IDs. It is still possible to use the decryption tool soo, if so.
If your computer got infected with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone – it only works if data was locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers.
Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately. Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files – one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.
- Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
- After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up – click it.
![Gcyi ransomware]( "Gcyi ransomware")
- If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
- Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
![Gcyi ransomware]( "Gcyi ransomware")
- After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
- The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
![Gcyi ransomware]( "Gcyi ransomware")
- Press Decrypt.
![Gcyi ransomware]( "Gcyi ransomware")
From here, there are three available outcomes:
- “Decrypted!” will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully – they are now usable again.
- “Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID:” means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
- “This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible” – you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.
Gcyi ransomware is one of the most harmful viruses. It can damage your machine significantly, so you need to remove this virus immediately, or else data might be lost forever and damaged permanently. This infection will cause system file corruption as well as the encryption process.
The AV tool will protect against malicious software like this ransomware as well as clear out any unwanted files from inside. You should run SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes to find and terminate the threat. However, the threat can affect persistence and disable some of these functions damaging launch time for security programs, so you might want to repair issues with system performance created by the Gcyi virus. Tools like FortectIntego can help with damaged machine files, system functions or data.
Getting rid of Gcyi virus. Follow these steps
Important steps to take before you begin malware removal
File encryption and ransomware infection are two independent processes (although the latter would not be possible without the former). However, it is important to understand that malware performs various changes within a Windows operating system, fundamentally changing the way it works.
IMPORTANT for those without backups! →
If you attempt to use security or recovery software immediately, you might permanently damage your files, and even a working decryptor then would not be able to save them.
Before you proceed with the removal instructions below, you should copy the encrypted files onto a separate medium, such as USB flash drive or SSD, and then disconnect them from your computer. Encrypted data does not hold any malicious code, so it is safe to transfer to other devices.
The instructions below might initially seem overwhelming and complicated, but they are not difficult to understand as long as you follow each step in the appropriate order. This comprehensive free guide will help you to handle the malware removal and data recovery process correctly.
If you have any questions, comments, or are having troubles with following the instructions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the Ask Us section.
IMPORTANT! →
It is vital to eliminate malware infection from the computer fully before starting the data recovery process, otherwise ransomware might re-encrypt retrieved files from backups repeatedly.
Restore Windows "hosts" file to its original state
Some ransomware might modify Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing certain websites online. For example, Djvu ransomware variants add dozens of entries containing URLs of security-related websites, such as 2-spyware.com. Each of the entries means that users will not be able to access the listed web addresses and will receive an error instead.
Here's an example of “hosts” file entries that were injected by ransomware:
In order to restore your ability to access all websites without restrictions, you should either delete the file (Windows will automatically recreate it) or remove all the malware-created entries. If you have never touched the “hosts” file before, you should simply delete it by marking it and pressing Shift + Del on your keyboard. For that, navigate to the following location:
C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\
Restore files using data recovery software
Since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently. Paying criminals is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool.
While this might sound terrible, not all is lost – data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.). Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you.
Therefore, we suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:
- Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
- Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.
Install data recovery software
- Download Data Recovery Pro.
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
- Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
- Press Next.
- At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
- Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
- You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
- Press Recover to retrieve your files.
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
One of the many countermeasures for home users against ransomware is data backups. Even if your Windows get corrupted, you can reinstall everything from scratch and retrieve files from backups with minimal losses overall. Most importantly, you would not have to pay cybercriminals and risk your money as well.
Therefore, if you have already dealt with a ransomware attack, we strongly advise you to prepare backups for future use. There are two options available to you:
- Backup on a physical external drive, such as a USB flash drive or external HDD.
- Use cloud storage services.
The first method is not that convenient, however, as backups need to constantly be updated manually – although it is very reliable. Therefore, we highly advise choosing cloud storage instead – it is easy to set up and efficient to sustain. The problem with it is that storage space is limited unless you want to pay for the subscription.
Using Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is a built-in tool that comes with every modern Windows version. By default, you get 5 GB of storage that you can use for free. You can increase that storage space, but for a price. Here's how to setup backups for OneDrive:
- Click on the OneDrive icon within your system tray.
- Select Help & Settings > Settings.
- If you don't see your email under the Account tab, you should click Add an account and proceed with the on-screen instructions to set yourself up.
- Once done, move to the Backup tab and click Manage backup.
- Select Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, or a combination of whichever folders you want to backup.
- Press Start backup.
After this, all the files that are imported into the above-mentioned folders will be automatically backed for you. If you want to add other folders or files, you have to do that manually. For that, open File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard, and then click on the OneDrive icon. You should drag and drop folders you want to backup (or you can use Copy/Paste as well).
Using Google Drive
Google Drive is another great solution for free backups. The good news is that you get as much as 15GB for free by choosing this storage. There are also paid versions available, with significantly more storage to choose from.
You can access Google Drive via the web browser or use a desktop app you can download on the official website. If you want your files to be synced automatically, you will have to download the app, however.
- Download the Google Drive app installer and click on it.
- Wait a few seconds for it to be installed.
- Now click the arrow within your system tray – you should see Google Drive icon there, click it once.
- Click Get Started.
- Enter all the required information – your email/phone, and password.
- Now pick what you want to sync and backup. You can click on Choose Folder to add additional folders to the list.
- Once done, pick Next.
- Now you can select to sync items to be visible on your computer.
- Finally, press Start and wait till the sync is complete. Your files are now being backed up.
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a huge business that is highly illegal, and authorities are very involved in catching malware operators. To have increased chances of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help with stopping the cybercriminal activities and catching the threat actors. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, examples of encrypted files, or malware executables would also be beneficial.
Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:
- USA – Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
- United Kingdom – ActionFraud
- Canada – Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia – ScamWatch
- New Zealand – ConsumerProtection
- Germany – Polizei
- France – Ministère de l'Intérieur
If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.
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
- 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.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Gcyi and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Chris Matthews. Bitcoin extortion: How cryptocurrency has enabled a massive surge in ransomware attacks. Marketwatch. Economy and politics.
- ^ Virus sample analysis. VirusTotal. Online malware scanner.
- ^ Zondervirus. Zondervirus. Virus removal guides.