Kaandsona ransomware / virus (Recovery Instructions Included) - Removal Guide

Kaandsona virus Removal Guide

What is Kaandsona ransomware virus?

Kaandsona ransomware fails to run smoothly, therefore fails to encrypt files as well

A new in-development ransomware dubbed Kaandsona virus has been spotted in January 2017[1]. The virus is also known as Käändsõna ransomware or RansomTroll virus because malware researchers believe it was developed only to troll malware analysts. The word Käändsõna stands for nominals(or declinable word) in Estonian, so virus’ authors might be from this country. This crypto-ransomware appears to be created by a not-so-experienced developer because thanks to bugs in the Kaandsona’s source code the virus crashes[2] before it encrypts anything. The virus is set to scan the entire system for files that have a matching extension (the virus has a list of file types to encode), and during this process, it also adds .kencf file extensions to encrypted data[3]. The virus also creates a document with information on how to restore encrypted files. In the ransom note that the ransomware drops on the system, crooks set out their requirements: they demand 1 BTC in 24 hours, and if the victim refuses/fails to pay up within one day, fraudsters promise to delete victim’s files for good.

Is Kaandsona ransomware developed by an Estonian programmer?

If this virus managed to encrypt your files with ease, it is likely that you won’t be able to access your personal records any longer. Of course, if you have a backup[4], you can use it to restore corrupted data, however, before you do that, make sure you remove Kaandsona malware entirely. For that, you should run a system scan with anti-malware software, for example, FortectIntego, but you can also use programs like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. In case you have never been victimized by a ransomware attack, we suggest you read Kaandsona removal guidelines attentively.

Why did I get infected with this virus?

Kaandsona ransomware strikes via infected emails[5] or fake downloadables available online. Therefore, beware of suspicious content on the Internet. In the majority of cases, computer users get infected with ransomware only because they were unaware of ransomware distribution techniques or simply forgot to follow their common sense while browsing online. If you ever get redirected to a website that is full of download links as well as ads posing as “download” buttons, better quit it. Otherwise, you risk clicking on a wrong link, which will take you onto a vague or even hazardous third-party page. What is more, you should never open suspicious video links that claim to be hiding a compromising video of you. If you are sure that you have never been videotaped in such way, do not click on the link! It is simply a clickbait title to lure you into a malicious website.

How can I remove Kaandsona ransomware virus?

Kaandsona virus must be eliminated successfully if you want to use a safe and virus-free computer ever again. However, this malicious virus could have brought additional malware pieces into the system, so that is why we suggest scanning the entire computer system with anti-malware tools and command them to remove Kaandsona malware entirely. For successful Kaandsona removal, start your PC in a Safe Mode with Networking, then download a recommended malware remover, update it and run a system scan with it. You can find a detailed removal tutorial as well as several data recovery solutions described below.

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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 Kaandsona virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

When computer gets infected with ransomware, it must be cleaned from the infection before any data recovery measures are taken. Therefore, we suggest you follow these easy guidelines and clean your computer from Kaandsona virus first.

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 Kaandsona 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 Kaandsona. 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 Kaandsona removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

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

Data Recovery Pro

You might succeed to restore your files with a help of Data Recovery Pro. This tool is easy-to-use, so you won’t have any problems using it. Just follow these steps:

  • 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 Kaandsona ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Enabled System Restore a while ago?

If so, this method will help you to find Windows Previous Versions and restore encrypted files easily. 

  • 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 Kaandsona and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

 

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

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

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References
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