KratosCrypt ransomware / virus (updated Jul 2016) - Removal Guide
KratosCrypt virus Removal Guide
What is KratosCrypt ransomware virus?
The essential information about KratosCrypt virus
KratosCrypt virus was launched a couple of weeks ago so you should know how to protect yourself against it. If you are new to the cyber security, we must inform you that ransomware viruses are especially dangerous cyber threats. They are programmed to invade the operating system stealthily and encode the private data using exquisite, asymmetric algorithm. Afte the encryption is finished, you cannot access the files. Furthermore, the cyber criminals indicate a sum of money that has to be paid to retrieve this data. Of course, a number of users might pay several bucks to retrieve the information, but there is no need to lose your money. The IT specialist Michael Gillepsie gave hope for the victims by publishing free decryption keys – Hidden Tear Decryptor and Hidden Tear Brute Forcer. Before you decrypt your files, scan your computer with a professional anti-malware utility, such as FortectIntego and remove KratosCrypt as soon as possible.
Like other ransomware of the same kind, the virus causes modifications in the system registry. It leaves HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run [exe name] registry entry on the system. It enables the virus to restart every time you reboot the computer. Moreover, though the virus might not be regarded as especially dangerous since it demands such small ransom, but it is suspected to remove shadow copies of your files. For example, it might eliminate your back-ups. IT specialists speculate that KratosCrypt might be just an experiment launched by the hackers. Since it was quickly hacked by virus researchers, the cyber criminals might strike again with even more powerful version.
How do you tell if your computer has been attacked by a ransomware virus? Before you find out you are unable to access your files anymore, you might also notice that your computer is performing slower, experiences a variety of system errors. The virus also changes the usual file extensions to .kratos. So if this extension appears on your PC and the files marked by it become inaccessible you are most likely infected and should start thinking about the KratosCrypt removal immediately. The virus may also drop a README_ALL.html file to every virus-affected folder on the computer. This file features a ransom note which encourages the victim to pay a considerably small amount of ransom (only 0.03 BitCoin) in order to receive a personalized file decryption key. As we have already mentioned, it is a complete scam and a waste of money. You should decrypt your files using the already mentioned decryptor and clean your computer from the KratosCrypt malware.
Can I escape the virus?
Even though KratosCrypt ransomware is a considerably dangerous virus, there are ways to avoid it. You can protect your system with a professional antivirus utility and firewall to hold out the initial attacks. But there is no 100% guarantee that the virus will not manage to bypass the automatic layers of protection. Essentially there is only one way to protect your data from being locked – data backups. If you regularly backup your data, store it on external storage drive and unplug the drive from your computer when you are not using it, you should be able to keep your files safe.
KratosCrypt removal steps
If KratosCrypt is the reason you cannot access your files or use your computer regularly anymore, you should eliminate this threat right away. This should be done automatically as the manual KratosCrypt removal may damage your computer rather than fix it. You should only use the reputable and professional anti-malware utilities for the job. Run a full scan of your system with these tools and let them take care of the virus for you. If, for some reason, the antivirus software is unable to remove KratosCrypt and the system scan fails do not worry. There are just a few extra steps you will have to take to decontaminate the virus and help your antivirus initiate the scan. You will find these steps indicated below.
Getting rid of KratosCrypt virus. Follow these steps
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.
Remove KratosCrypt using System Restore
-
Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
-
Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
-
Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
-
Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
-
Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
-
When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of KratosCrypt. After doing that, click Next.
-
Now click Yes to start system restore.
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from KratosCrypt and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
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.