ScaryBear Software

The tutorial encompasses a full profile of the CryptoWall ransomware, removal assistance as well as ways to restore personal information that it encrypted.

CryptoWall is both a terribly persistent piece of malware and an entity that shows the present-day IT security’s helplessness in the face of virus evolution. Unmistakably classified as ransomware, this program encrypts all private information stored inside the attacked computer. Of course, the motivation behind creating such a malady has to do with moneymaking, and the scammers are apparently getting more and more insatiable as they attempt to extort an alarming 500 USD from every infected user. CryptoWall infiltrates computers through social engineering trickery. Its makers deploy a mass email campaign, attaching ZIPs that contain phony PDF files. These objects are masqueraded as bills, invoices, online order notifications and similar things that the average user would get interested in opening. Now, once the PDF is opened a malicious payload gets executed, letting the ransomware inside without the user’s awareness.

CryptoWall does not immediately show its presence. First it scans all drives on the computer for the most common file types. If there are any mapped drives represented as a letter in the PC’s data hierarchy, its contents get processed as well. Then the ransomware encrypts the information it located. In fact, it creates and encrypts copies of your files, and the original data gets deleted. The algorithm utilized in this workflow is RSA-2048, which is known to be particularly strong and hardly crackable within a reasonable time frame. Decrypting the files is therefore a matter of retrieving the private key which is kept on the criminals-run server. Sounds like a trap. And it is, to a large extent.

As soon as the behind-the-scenes encryption job has been completed, CryptoWall comes up with a DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION window with directions on accessing the CryptoWall Decryption Service designed for accepting and processing the ransom payments. Connection with the respective server is established via Tor gateways, not the regular browser. The payments are to be submitted in Bitcoins only, every victim being provided with a unique address within this system. The initial sum equals 500 USD, which is the equivalent of about 1.3 Bitcoin. If the provided period expires, the amount will go up 2 times. The ransomware is also ‘kind enough’ to provide links to services for buying this currency on one of its screens. Also, it can decrypt one file for free as a ‘bonus’ to demonstrate that the data isn’t lost.

The latest version of the malware that was launched in early October 2014 – CryptoWall 2.0 – has got a few extra features such as separate Tor gateways rather than third-party ones used in the previous variant; and more thorough shredding of the original files. Paying the ransom actually works and the information does get restored by the CryptoWall Decrypter app which is made available, but that’s a cold comfort to the user because it costs a pretty penny. Thus far, unfortunately, that’s the only effective way to get the stolen data back.

There are some chances for light at the end of the tunnel, though. Keeping in mind that the elimination of the malware proper is unrelated to data decryption, it’s still a recommended transaction. Furthermore, despite restricted efficiency which depends on several factors, alternative methodology for restoring the encrypted information does exist.

CryptoWall ransomware removal with automatic cleanup tool

Note: removing CryptoWall (including version 2.0) is not that hard in itself. In fact, the virus may even self-destruct after the files have been encrypted, leaving the victim face-to-face with the upsetting ransom payment options. Anyway, the ransomware should be removed from the computer as it may get you infected with other cyber threats. An optimal cleaning workflow is to leverage a security application which will identify all potentially malicious software on your computer and handle it the right way. This approach ensures thoroughness of the removal and system remediation, and allows avoiding unintended damage that might occur as a result of manual malware deletion.

1. Download and install CryptoWall removal software. Launch it and click the Start New Scan button. Wait for the application to check your computer for threats

Download CryptoWall remover

For Windows

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2. When the app is done scanning your system, it will come up with an extensive list of detected objects. Click the Fix Threats option to have the utility completely remove this ransomware and affiliated infections found on your PC.

Alternative techniques to recover encrypted files

Given that CryptoWall, especially its new version 2.0, is an extremely complex and insidious malware, there is no guarantee that the files can be retrieved without submitting the Bitcoin ransom payment. There are some ways, however, that might be of help, even though they rely on a number of variables. Be sure to try the methods below.

1. Data backups
If you have been backing up your information, to the cloud for instance, you’re a lucky person. Just get the data restored using the respective features. It’s too bad not that many people can boast such prudence. All in all, this is the best case scenario.

2. Shadow Volume Copies
Even though CryptoWall tends to erase all Shadow Volume Copies of files on the compromised workstation, it might not cope with this task. If that’s the case, chances are you can recover your information. Note that this approach is applicable only if you had System Restore activated prior to the infection. Also, the files you can restore this way may not necessarily be the latest versions. Make sure you try one of the following methods though:

• Take advantage of Previous Versions
  If you right-click a random file on your PC and select Properties in the drop-down menu, you will see the Previous Versions tab at the top of the window. Once you hit that tab, the operating system will display a list of file versions corresponding to the restore points that were made. Select the most recent one and click Copy to restore the file to a new location, or pick Restore to recover it to the directory it was originally in.
  
• Use ShadowExplorer app
  The routine above can be accomplished with a tool designed specifically to restore Shadow Volume Copies for files and folders. To move on, download ShadowExplorer to your computer, install and launch it. Using the features in the top left-hand part of the GUI, select the drive name and the date. Rick-click on the file or folder you would like to be restored and choose Export.
  

3. File recovery tools
As it has been mentioned in the ransomware profile above, it deletes the original data objects, encrypting their copies instead. Since Windows still stores these eliminated items, which is common knowledge, why not try to recover them using software that was created for this purpose? Some of the applications capable of doing this are Data Recovery Pro. Run the tool and see if it can pull your removed data out.

Double-checking never hurts

Last but not least, a quick reminder: the removal of CryptoWall from a compromised system doesn’t mean the files will get decrypted. To try to recover your data, stick to the methods above. That notwithstanding, since the ransomware proper is dangerous it must be exterminated for good. To make sure CryptoWall has been removed, consider running an additional security scan as a completion of the cleanup procedure.

Download and install CryptoWall removal software

For Windows

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