Gedantar ransomware (Free Instructions) - Bonus: Decryption Steps

Gedantar virus Removal Guide

What is Gedantar ransomware?

Gedantar – a new version of Unlock92 ransomware

Gedantar ransomware drops a ransom note

Gedantar is a ransomware[1] virus that is an updated version of the Unlock92 virus. Malware spreads via malicious spam emails and is executed from Gedantar.exe file. Then it starts data encryption using RSA-2048[2] cryptography and renames files using this pattern: <filename>_<8-rand-chars>.<ext>.

Summary
Name Gedantar
Type Ransomware
Danger level High. Makes system changes and encrypts files
Cryptography RSA-2048
File extension <filename>_<8-rand-chars>.<ext>
Ransom note <20-rand-chars>.jpg
Distribution methods Malspam, malvertising, bogus software updates and downloads
To uninstallGedantar, install FortectIntego and run a full system scan

Gedantar ransomware aims at popular files in order to make more damage to the users. Hence, after the malware attack, Microsoft Office documents, audio, video or image files, archives, and databases are corrupted.

Following data encryption, malware drops a ransom note called <20-rand-chars>.jpg where cyber criminals ask to send an email to unlckr@protonmail.com or contact them via TOR network if they won’t respond in 24 hours time. The ransom note is written in Russian language, so it is expected to target Russian-speaking computer users[3] the most.

Additionally, Gedantar virus changes affected computer’s desktop where authors of malware deliver the same threatening message:

Ваши файльi были зашифрованы с помощью алгоритма Г5А-2048 Если вы хотите их вернуть то отправьте один из зашифрованных файлов на е-mai1: unIckr@protonmail.com
Если вы не получили ответ в течение суток то скачайте с сайта л.огрго]ес.согл браузер ТОК и с его помощью зайдите на сайт http://n3r2kuzhw2h7x6j5.onion – там будет указан действующий и почтовый ящик.
Попытки самостоятельного восстановления файлов могут безвозвратно их испортить!

However, security specialists do not recommend following the instructions and having business with cybercriminals. They will demand to pay a ransom in cryptocurrency in order to get access to the files. But transferring the money does not guarantee that you will be allowed to decrypt files.


Criminals might threaten into paying more money by telling to delete data, or they might disappear as soon as your payment is transferred to their virtual wallet. Instead of that, you should remove Gedantar from the computer with reputable anti-malware software, like FortectIntego.

We want to discourage you from manual Gedantar removal which might end up with even bigger failure. Ransomware is a complex cyber threat that contains a bunch of malicious files. Additionally, it might affect legit system processes and fixing this damage without professional tools is nearly impossible.

However, in some cases ransomware might prevent installation of security software or block attempts to run it. However, Gedantar can be disabled as well as any other file-encrypting virus. To run automatic elimination, you need to reboot the system to Safe Mode with Networking.

Gedantar ransomware virus expampleGedantar ransomware is a crypto-malware that is related to Unlcok92 virus and demands to pay the ransom.

Strategies used for ransomware delivery and installation

Ransomware-type cyber threats typically spread via malicious spam emails that include an obfuscated attachment. As soon as a user is tricked to open Word, PDF or ZIP file, malware payload is downloaded and executed on the computer. Therefore, it’s important to check the credibility of each received email before opening an attached file.

Furthermore, ransomware can sneak into the device after clicking on a malicious ad, downloading bogus software or its update. However, in some cases, malware does not require user’s participation and can sneak into the system with the help of exploit kits.

Hence, to avoid infiltration of crypto-malware, you should not only be careful with your clicks and downloads but keep your programs and operating system updated too. Finally, obtaining reputable antivirus and creating backups are important ransomware precautions as well.

Delete Gedantar ransomware virus and try to recover data

Gedantar removal requires rebooting the system to Safe Mode with Networking, downloading malware removal software and running a full system scan. We suggest using one of these tools for virus elimination: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

As we have mentioned in the beginning, the virus might be capable of blocking security software to stay longer on the machine. However, if you follow our prepared instructions below, you will be able to get rid of the virus easily.

As soon as you remove Gedantar from the machine, you can use backups or try alternative recovery methods. However, third-party tools might not be as effective as you would expect. Though, you should still try them out.

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
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 Gedantar virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Follow these steps to reboot the computer to 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 Gedantar using System Restore

This method might also help to disable Gedantar ransomware and remove it with anti-malware software:

  • 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 Gedantar. 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 Gedantar removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

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

Try Data Recovery Pro to restore files affected by ransomware

This tool helps to restore corrupted system files, so it can be useful after ransomware attack too:

  • 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 Gedantar ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Take advantage of Windows Previous Versions feature

If System Restore was enabled before ransomware attack, you can recover individual files by following 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”.

Use ShadowExplorer

If malware did not delete Shadow Volume Copies, you can take advantage of ShadowExplorer:

  • 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.

Gedantar Decryptor is not available

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

About the author
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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References