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 |
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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.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of CRYPTO-BLOCKER on Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER in Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Internet Explorer.
- Guide 8: Disable CRYPTO-BLOCKER Push Notifications in Your Browsers.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
About the CRYPTO-BLOCKER Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this CRYPTO-BLOCKER how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on CRYPTO-BLOCKER?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the CRYPTO-BLOCKER threat is backed with VirusTotal https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1.Browser Redirect – What Is It?
2.Adware Is Malicious, and It Uses Advanced Techniques to Infect
3.The Thin Red Line Between Potentially Unwanted Programs and Malware
4.The Pay-Per-Install Affiliate Business – Making Millions out of Adware
5.Malicious Firefox Extensions Installed by 455,000 Users Blocked Updates
How to Remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove CRYPTO-BLOCKER
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:
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.
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.
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.
Video Removal Guide for CRYPTO-BLOCKER (Windows).
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
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:
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:
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.
Video Removal Guide for CRYPTO-BLOCKER (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.
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.
Remove Push Notifications caused by CRYPTO-BLOCKER from Your Browsers.
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
CRYPTO-BLOCKER FAQ
What is CRYPTO-BLOCKER?
The CRYPTO-BLOCKER threat is adware or browser redirect virus. It may slow your computer down siginficantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What are the symptoms of CRYPTO-BLOCKER?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and has poor performance in general.
Symtpom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts reccomend that you check your computer for viruses.
What types of Unwanted Programs are there?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware.
- Browser hijackers.
- Clickers.
- Fake optimizers.
What to do if I have a "virus" like CRYPTO-BLOCKER?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most adware or unwanted program threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them from your browser and computer. One reccomended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you. There are many anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter is one of the reccomended anti-malware apps, that can scan your computer for free and detect any viruses, tracking cookies and unwanted adware apps and eliminate them quickly. This saves time when compared to doing the removal manually.
How to secure my passwords and other data from CRYPTO-BLOCKER?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our website, where you can also ask any questions and comment underneath the articles about your computer problems. We will try to respond as fast as possible.