This is a blog post, made to explain what is GANDCRAB 5.2 ransomware virus and explain how victims can remove it from their computers without damaging encrypted files.
GANDCRAB 5.2 ransomware is officially here and similar to version 5.1 of this virus, the malware aims to encrypt the files and then hold them hostage in return for a ransom payment with the difference that this time GANDCRAB renames the files instead of adding a random extension after their name. The virus’s main purpose is to get the victim to pay either in DASH or BitCoin cryptocurrencies in order to get their files to work again and even offers 1 decryption of file for free. If your PC has been infected with GANDCRAB 5.2 we advise you to read this post.
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| Threat Name | GANDCRAB 5.2 |
| Category | Ransomware virus. |
| Main Activity | Variant of GANDCRAB family of ransom viruses. Infects the computer after which encrypts important documents and holds them hostage until a ransom in Dash or BitCoin is paid. |
| Signs of Presence | Files are encrypted with a random 6 to 8-letter renamed file name which isa unique for every file and the ransom note is dropped with ransom instructions.. |
| Spread | Via malicious e-mail spam and set of infection tools. |
| Detection+Removal | DOWNLOAD REMOVAL TOOL FOR GANDCRAB 5.2
Note!For Mac users, please use the following instructions. |
| File Recovery | Download Data Recovery Software, to see how many files encrypted by GANDCRAB 5.2 ransomware you will be able to recover. |
The GANDCRAB virus has been spotted in a new variant, this time using the random 8 letter file extension, completely unrelated to the previous .KRAB and .CRAB ones. The new GANDCRAB ransomware also communicates via TOR through which it sends a decrypter after the ransom has been paid. In case you are a victim of the new GANDCRAB v5.2 ransomware using a random suffix, we advise you to read this article and learn how to remove the virus files and try to decode encrypted objects. This variant follows the three previous v5 versions of GandCrab, called:
GANDCRAB v5.2 Ransom Virus – What Does It Do
Being a variant of the GANDCRAB ransomware family, which exists in several versions, the first one of which was decryptable (.GDCB), GANDCRAB v5.2 ransomware has been reported to drop one or more executable files in the %AppData% Windows directory.
After doing so, the virus may modify the Windows registry entries, more specifically the Shell sub-key with the following location:
- HKLM/Software/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon/Shell
Then, the GANDCRAB v5.2 virus may also modify the Run registry key to run the executable file(s) in the %AppData% directory. The key is with the following path:
- HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run/
This may result in the virus file booting alongside the Windows start-up process.
GANDCRAB ransomware also drops a ransom note file with a ransom message and places it somewhere easy to locate. Then, the GANDCRAB v5.2 virus may attack files with the following file types to encrypt them:
- Videos.
- Images.
- Documents.
- Audio files.
- Archives.
After GANDCRAB v5.2 encrypts the files, the virus leaves the files no longer able to be opened and appends the file extension Filename.jpg.{8 random letters} to each encrypted file.
GANDCRAB V5.2 Ransomware – How Did I Get Infected
The infection process of GANDCRAB v5.2 ransomware is conducted primarily via spammed e-mails that have deceptive messages embedded within them. Such messages may pretend to be sent from services such as PayPal, USPS, FedEx and others. They may contain attachments that pretend to be invoices and other fake type of files. Other social engineering techniques include:
- Fake buttons and pictures as if the e-mails are sent from a social media site, like LinkedIn.
- Fraudulent PayPal links.
- Links to GoogleDrive and fake e-mails that look the same as if they are sent from Google.
Other infection tools may also include the usage of torrent websites and other third-party sites to upload fake updates, fake installers as well as other fraudulent executables.
Which Files May Get Affected by GANDCRAB 5.2 Ransomware?
GANDCRAB 5.2 Ransomware serves as a typical file-encoding Trojan. As soon as it gets access to your machine, this cryptomalware will perform a quick scan to find the paths to all of your personal files. The targeted data includes all MS Office documents, your precious photos and videos, your databases, the program files, etc. Only a few files such as the ones related to the core Windows processes may be spared. Once the operation ends, you will notice a threatening lockdown message on your desktop and the default file extension will become ‘.dll’. The cyber criminals give the victims only several days pay the ransom of Bitcoins, or else they threaten to delete forever the decryption key. The purpose of this frightening message is to shock the person and make him act irrationally. The victims often feel as the only solution to the issue is to pay the money. In reality, all specialists unanimously recommend not to follow the instructions of the hackers for several different reasons.How to Protect Yourself from GANDCRAB 5.2 Ransomware?
This ransomware may cause huge and often irreversible damage to the affected machines. Fortunately, you can prevent the infection as long as you are vigilant during your online sessions. This Trojan isn’t known to use some unique methods to infiltrate the defences of your computer. The most probable cause for GANDCRAB 5.2 Ransomware to enter is via spam emails. You may receive a message with a shocking content, encouraging you to either click on a malicious link or download a compromised file. The hackers have a whole arsenal of tools to manipulate you into doing so. For example, they may claim to represent an international bank or some popular shipping company. If they address you without mentioning your name, the email is probably a scam and you should ignore it. Unfortunately, if you simply click or download the infected file, your action will most likely be enough to activate the harmful codes of GANDCRAB 5.2 Ransomware. In this case, only a credible security solution may be able to prevent the forthcoming damage.
How to Delete GANDCRAB 5.2 Ransomware and Decrypt Your Files for Free?
The main reasons not to pay the ransom are two. First, you may not receive the promised unlocking key even after doing exactly as the hackers demand. They often scam the victims because the Bitcoin platform doesn’t allow refunds and the people have no way to get their money back. The second reason not to finance cyber criminals is that your money will only motivate them to create more aggressive ransomware like GANDCRAB 5.2. On the other hand, if their attacks are in vain, they may stop spamming the web with such malicious Trojans. These parasites require quite some efforts to be created professionally and spread efficiently.
Once you decide not to pay the ransom, there are several other ways that may help you decrypt your personal files. You should begin the attempts by removing all traces of the malware. If you fail to delete GANDCRAB 5.2 Ransomware properly, it may decrypt your files once again in the future or spread to other connected devices. The manual removal is not the recommended solution since it requires expert-level knowledge in computers. The most reliable tactic is to use dedicated security software that has added FGANDCRAB 5.2 Ransomware to its database. Once the scan finishes, you should try some of the programs for restoration of files or the integrated System Restore feature. If you are lucky enough to have a spare copy of your files on some external device, you can import them back to your computer safely.
Remove GANDCRAB v5.2 Ransomware and Get Encrypted Files Back
For the removal of the 5.0.4 variant of GANDCRAB ransomware, recommendations are to focus on following the removal instructions below and boot your computer in Safe Mode. In case manual removal in the instructions below do not work for you, security professionals recommend downloading a powerful anti-malware tool that will quickly remove GANDCRAB 5.2 ransomware and protect your computer in the future as well. If you want to restore files encrypted by GANDCRAB, we have offered several suggestions below that may be able to assist with this issue.
Preparation before removal of GANDCRAB 5.2:
1.Make sure to backup your files.
2.Make sure to have this instructions page always open so that you can follow the steps.
3.Be patient as the removal may take some time.
Step 1: Reboot your computer in Safe Mode:
Step 2: Cut out GANDCRAB 5.2 in Task Manager
Step 3: Eliminate GANDCRAB 5.2‘s Malicious Registries.
For most Windows variants:
Step 4: Scan for and remove all virus files, related to GANDCRAB 5.2 and secure your system.
If you are in Safe Mode, boot back into normal mode and follow the steps below
It is advisable to run a free scan before committing to the full version. You should make sure that the malware is detected by SpyHunter first.
Step 5:Recover files encrypted by the GANDCRAB 5.2 Ransomware.
Method 1: Using Shadow Explorer. In case you have enabled File history on your Windows Machine one thing you can do is to use Shadow Explorer to get your files back. Unfortunately some ransomware viruses may delete those shadow volume copies with an administrative command to prevent you from doing just that.
Method 2: If you try to decrypt your files using third-party decryption tools. There are many antivirus providers who have decrypted multiple ransomware viruses the last couple of years and posted decryptors for them. Chances are if your ransomware virus uses the same encryption code used by a decryptable virus, you may get the files back. However, this is also not a guarantee, so you might want to try this method with copies of the original encrypted files, because if a third-party program tampers with their encrypted structure, they may be damaged permanently. Most of the currently available decryptors for ransomware viruses can be seen if you visit the NoMoreRansom project – a project that is the result of combined efforts of researchers worldwide to create decryption software for all ransomware viruses. Simply go there by clicking on the following LINK and find your ransomware version decrypter and try it, but always remember to do a BACKUP first.
Method 3: Using Data Recovery tools. This method is suggested by multiple experts in the field. It can be used to scan your hard drive’s sectors and hence scramble the encrypted files anew as if they were deleted. Most ransomware viruses usually delete a file and create an encrypted copy to prevent such programs for restoring the files, but not all are this sophisticated. So you may have a chance of restoring some of your files with this method. Here are several data recovery programs which you can try and restore at least some of your files: