How to remove .kcry file virus

.kcry file virus is a ransomware-type threat that encourages people to pay up instead of contacting IT or the police 

Kcry ransomware is the file-locking malware that uses sophisticated encryption methods and makes the common files inaccessible to demand a large amount from victims. By using army-grade algorithms,^[1] criminals can change the original file code and damage the document, photo, video, audio files to a point where the contents are not visible. Once those affected pieces get marked using .kcry appendix, the system receives the ransom note file – kcry-info.txt that informs victims about the consequences and options.

Developers of the malware state that paying $200 in Bitcoin is the only solution because otherwise, all the files will be damaged permanently. Even though these criminals state that all files can be automatically retrieved, it is a false claim because decryption requires a more in-depth process of restoring those files. There are no guarantees that the Kcry file virus is terminated and leaving the machine if you pay up. It is never recommended because permanent data damage and financial loss can be devastating.

There are some options besides paying extortionists. There are particular decryption options in some cases, but this is the new threat in this category, so researchers have not developed the tool yet. When dealing with such a threat, the best option is to run the security software, anti-malware tools that detect^[2] similar infections and clear the machine. Your files can sometimes be recovered using third-party software, data backups from external devices, or cloud storage.

.kcry file virus resembles other threats in the same category of ransomware because it focuses on file locking and money demand functions. The short ransom note message informs about the amount demanded and encourages people to seek decryption of files. However, there are no details on contacting criminals besides the direct cryptocurrency wallet.

These criminals do not offer the test decryption that is sometimes a possible option designed to trick people into believing that criminals are trustworthy. Experts^[3] always note that sophisticated actors are cruel enough to just care about their profits. Communicating with cryptocurrency extortionists can only lead to more issues with the machine or identity, privacy risks.

The note states:

Congratulations!

You were infected with a very sofisticated   R.A.N.S.O.M.W.A.R.E V.I.R.U.S!

All your precious files are now E.N.C.R.Y.P.T.E.D!

Do not alert your IT or the Police if you ever want to get your files back!

Send $200 until the end of the week to the following B.I.T.C.O.I.N address >>> 19a2cHhnF8sxQWU4428SHMpvYfXRARsVxF <<< and your files will automatically be retrieved.

 

[!] Your Company doesn't need to know that you were compromised.
[!] Your familiy doesn't have to see you getting fired for this.
[!] Just pay us the money and you will be fine.

The first step: threat removal

We understand that affected files are your primary concern. However, there are no other options than the complete removal of this Kcry ransomware virus. You can sometimes expect to get the decryption tool developed at a later time, so saving some files from the machine can be helpful then. But there are no particular data recovery options right now. If you want to recover the device to a working state, you need to terminate the infection.

The proper virus elimination is useful with apps like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes because these AV detection tools can find various types of malware and eliminate any possibly dangerous files from the machine. If you even attempt to recover your files from backups or cloud storage on the system that has actively running malware, you can suffer from permanent file encryption and lose all of the pieces without the opportunity to restore any of them.

Sometimes threats like .kcry virus can disable some processes and programs and keep your existing AV tools running. Shadow Volume copies get deleted, functions altered, applications disabled to ensure the persistence of the infection. Rely on the Safe mode then. This is how you can run the anti-malware tool and eliminate the cryptovirus.

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 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.

2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
   
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
   
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Press Restart.
10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
    

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.
   
   
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.
   
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.

Repair the system functions after the virus termination

Besides being directly damaging to common files like photographs, video, audio files, documents, and PDFS, the Kcry ransomware virus significantly affect the general performance. For example, an infection can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. All the changes can trigger the failure of the PC.

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.

Formatting the device and reinstalling all the files full with the new operating system is the last straw when you cannot get rid of the .kcry file virus. However, sometimes it seems like the only option for victims. You need to take care of the machine, and since there are many parts the ransomware affects, we do not recommend running all new files on a not secured machine.

We highly recommend using FortectIntego for the full system repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it can also remove 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
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• 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.

What else can be done when dealing with ransomware

The promised decryption can seem attractive and promising, but these people behind the Kcry virus infection are not trustworthy. Decryption is now working out, significantly when these threats truly damage the machine and can also spread other malware on the device if you communicate with them but do not pay.

Removing the infection from the system prevents it from encrypting files further and affecting the machine more than it already has. Your only solution for files – relying on backups because decryption tools take ages to develop, and no official decryptors can work at this time. You can check for the software by following the guide below.

Kcry ransomware virus can be aggressive and make a huge mess out of those encoded files. The sooner you take care of the infection the better. You can also try to report the incident to law enforcement, but that is not always successful. As for your files, if you do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by ransomware, you might lose access to files permanently.

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.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.

Cybercriminals are relying on spam email messages as the primary method to distribute malware like Kcry ransomware. By mass-mailing, counterfeit correspondence pretending to be coming from legitimate brands or companies. It is pretty easy for cybercriminals intent on spreading their virus with malicious codes can convince recipients into opening attachments and allowing viruses inside in one's computer system. Opening the file may be the only thing that the threat needs to install itself without permission.

It is, however, possible to avoid. If you stay from pirating services, torrent pages, shady sites, and campaigns, you can avoid triggering an infection like this. If the .kcry file virus uses more sophisticated techniques, but you avoid spam email, random attachments, links in emails, and other social media messages, you can keep your machine virus-free. Keeping tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, or FortectIntego can also help significantly.