Crypto-Blocker ransomware - How to remove

Crypto-Blocker crypto-virus is a sloppy sample that we are going to investigate in this article. Crypto-Blocker.exe file is the payload, exploited to complement malicious processes. Activity of this sample is either very weak or non-existent, but this ransomware could also still be in the stage of development. Nevertheless, from the information that we managed to dig out, this malware variant does not have the qualities to be successful. One of the amusing details is that the analysis of the payload led to us to find out that hackers describe it as an anti-virus tool. Additionally, ransomware features a Windows screen saver. However, as we have indicated, this variant is not sophisticated. It is detected by 32 anti-virus software applications from 62. Several findings, suggesting this crypto-virus: Trojan.GenericKD.5005913, Troj.W32.Diztakun!c, TR/FileCoder.vsdfe, rojan.GenericKD.5005913.

Specifics of Crypto-Blocker ransomware

Ironically, a victim of Crypto-Blocker virus can select in which currency he/she wishes to pay the ransom. 10 dollars, pounds, euros or basically money of any other country are fit to serve as the ransom. If this ransomware would be a variant that users would actually be forced to think of making a transaction, this feature could save them some time.

People would simply select that currency which has the lowest rates. However, this sample is insignificant and not even 10 cents should be wasted on it. StupidDecrypter is regularly getting updated to recover files of ransomware samples that are easily defeated. This time, it has been adjusted to restore data, encrypted by this crypto-infection.

After quickly reviewing the ransom note which also serves the function of a screen-locker, you should be able to recognize that some information is missing. Only 5 hours are given for victims to send the required ransom, but no details are provided that would make paying possible. There are no indications of where the fee should be sent and no contact information which would provide victims with the decryption code. Since these details are not included in the presented table, there is no way of giving hackers what they want.

It is a good thing that security researchers are quick to handle samples that have little competence. .corrupted mark is the extension that gets appended to all encrypted data. Thankfully, we can direct you to an easy solution to restore them. Click here to download the StupidDecrypter. Currently, no significant activity has been detected from Crypto-Blocker crypto-virus. However, since the detected sample might be just a prototype, there is still a chance that a more polished version will be discovered.

Possible methods of protecting data from encryption

If you properly secure your data, then a ransomware infection is not the end of the world. One of the options to consider is to insert files into online backup storages. Once data is placed into these databases, you will be able to retrieve executables anywhere, anytime. If all of your files from hard drive are corrupted or deleted, then online backup storage will be your salvation. Additionally, you can protect data by keeping it in USB flash drives. This will also serve you as a standby source. Both of these options will protect your files from ransomware.

How can a ransomware infection enter an operating system?

Ransomware infections like this can become a bother because of naive attitude towards online content. If you still believe that all material on the Word Wide Web is reliable and won’t compromise your cybersecurity, you are very wrong. The situation is quite the opposite as adware parasites, browser hijackers, spyware and ransomware viruses are lurking at every corner. Some of them can be transmitted in malicious spam letters. Others can be found on unreliable file-sharing centers. Trojans, for instance, could pretend to be legitimate software programs or other exciting content (movies, music, games). Social networking sites like Facebook also sometimes become involved in distribution of malware. Fabricated articles and links can be the source of ransomware.

Crypto-Blocker has slithered into your operating system and is demanding to send money of the currency of your selection to an unknown account? Sounds too complicated. We recommend scanning a device with an anti-malware tool and removing the infection itself before StupidDecrypter recovers files with .corrupted extension. Spyhunter or Hitman can be selected for the removal of ransomware.

How to recover Crypto-Blocker ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Crypto-Blocker virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Crypto-Blocker ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Crypto-Blocker virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Crypto-Blocker ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Crypto-Blocker virus tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Crypto-Blocker ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.