by Ventsislav Krastev | May 8, 2017 | 0 Comments file-encryption, malware

This article aims to help you remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER ransomware and restore files that have been encrypted with the .corrupted file extension.

The .corrupted file encryption malware, known as CRYPTO-BLOCKER was detected at the beginning of May 2017. The virus encrypts the files on the infected computers and adds it’s custom file extension – .corrupted to the encrypted files. The .corrupted file virus then demands from victims the sum of 10 dollars or euros for 5 hours in order to restore encrypted files. In case your computer has been infected by this ransomware virus it is recommended to read this article carefully.

Threat Summary

Name	CRYPTO-BLOCKER
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	The .corrupted ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and it shows a ransom note, demanding 10 USD or EUR to be paid in 5 hours.
Symptoms	This ransomware virus will encrypt your files and place the .corrupted extension on each one of them.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss CRYPTO-BLOCKER.
Data Recovery Tool	Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive.

CRYPTO-BLOCKER – How Does Infect

The distribution process of .corrupted file ransomware is performed in multiple methods. The primary method of those may be via e-mail spam messages. Such junk e-mail may contain convincing statements that aim to get potential victims to open e-mail attachments or click on web links that lead to malicious sites. In both chases the victim is deceived that it is of utmost importance to open the document, similar to what the example below displays:

After the victim opens the malicious file, the infection by CRYPTO-BLOCKER is inevitable, meaning that the virus will drop the malicious files on the victim’s computer, including the malicious executable, detected in VirusTotal to be the following:

Other methods by which this infection process can take place is if the malicious file is directly uploaded on Torrent websites in an archive, posing as a key generator, part of a game installation or other license activators.

.corrupted Ransomware – In-Depth

Once .corrupted ransomware has caused an infection of the victim’s computer, multiple different files, including it’s main Crypto-Blocker.exe file may be dropped on various Windows folders:

%AppData%
%Roaming%
%Local%
%LocalLow%

After the files are dropped on the victim’s computer, one of them may create a registry value to run the encryption process on system boot. The targeted Windows registry key for this may be the following:

→“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run”

After this has been performed, the CRYPTO-BLOCKER .corrupted ransomware infection may additionally delete the shadow copies to eliminate chances of restoring your files via programs via System Restore or shadow explorer software:

→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet

.corrupted File Virus – Encryption Process

For the encryption of this virus to be executed, it takes advantage of one very particular encryption algorithm, widely used by ransomware makers – the Advanced Encryption Standard also known as AES cipher.

In addition to this, the ransomware virus also targets very specific files for encryption. For this variant, CRYPTO-BLOCKER may look for the following files to encrypt them:

“PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN”

After it detects that files with the above-mentioned types are present on the computer, the ransomware encrypts blocks of data of those files, making them non-readable. The files appear like the following:

In addition to adding the .corrupted file extension to the data, the ransomware also drops the following ransom note, named “CRYPTO-BLOCKER ENCRYPT YOUR FILES!”:

Hello, {User}
This is the hacker company, we encrypt all your personal files (OS, Documents, Images,…)
This program is actually a ransomware, you’ve been hacked !
If you want to keep your PC alive, please pay 10 (dollars, euros, pounds, you choose the money type)
After paying, get your decryption key, this virus close by itself.
If you didnt pay after 5 hours then… your PC will crash or maybe unusable.
YOU HAVE 5 HOURS!
Type code here:

Remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER and Revert .corrupted Files

Before actually proceeding with the removal process of this ransomware infection, the CRYPTO-BLOCKER encrypted files should be copied onto another drive, just in case.

Then, we recommend following the instructions below in order to get rid of this ransomware virus’ files. For maximum effectiveness when removing CRYPTO-BLOCKER, we recommend focusing on removing the virus automatically with an advanced anti-malware software. This will ensure the full removal of this infection plus the future protection of your system with active support.

In case you are not willing to pay the 10 dollars or euros ransom, you can try restoring your files, by following the alternative tools for file recovery in step “2. Restore files encrypted by CRYPTO-BLOCKER” below. They are not likely to restore all of your files, but most of them may surely be recovered.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

How to Remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall CRYPTO-BLOCKER and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by CRYPTO-BLOCKER on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by CRYPTO-BLOCKER there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for CRYPTO-BLOCKER with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall CRYPTO-BLOCKER and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to CRYPTO-BLOCKER:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to CRYPTO-BLOCKER. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to CRYPTO-BLOCKER. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as CRYPTO-BLOCKER. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as CRYPTO-BLOCKER, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for CRYPTO-BLOCKER:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the CRYPTO-BLOCKER will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.