This article will help you fully remove CryptoShield 1.1 crypto virus, using the .cryptoshield file extension from your computer and restore the encrypted files.

The notorious CryptoShield ransomware virus has been spotted out in the wild in a new version. The new iteration of CryptoShield 1.1 uses a custom file extension to encrypt files. It also drops a file thatcontains a ransom note that aims to make the victim of CryptoShield aware of the ransowmare’s presence on his computer. This CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware virus also has some incremental changes in comparison to the previous versions of the malware. In case you have become a victim of this ransomware virus, we recommend reading the following material to learn how to remove CryptoShield ransomware from your computer and how to restore your files in case they have been encrypted by it.

Threat Summary

Name	CryptoShield 1.1
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	This CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware variant encrypts files with RSA cipher and asks a ransom payoff for decryption.
Symptoms	Files are enciphered and become inaccessible by any type of software. A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows on the infected PC.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks, Malicious Executable in Torrent Trackers.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by CryptoShield 1.1 Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join our forum to Discuss CryptoShield 1.1 Ransomware.
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.

New CryptoShield 1.1 Ransomware – How Does It Infect

Deception is the key to a successful infection and the people behind this iteration of CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware know this. This is why they use cunning e-mails to deceive users who are inexperienced into opening the files encrypted by this iteration of the ransomware.

These type of specific e-mails may contain either an embedded URL or an e-mail attachment in a .ZIP archive. These attachments may pass through most of the antivirus blockers on the e-mail platforms, because they are hidden with an obfuscation software.

Not only this, but the e-mails are created to resemble different companies or respectful organizations such as:

• Banks.
• FedEx.
• Amazon.
• E-bay.
• AliExpress.
• LinkedIn.

These e-mails may present the malicious attachment as an invoice, bill of arrangement and other types of files along with messages that prompt the quick reaction from the user, like a request to urgently open the attachment. This results in the virus successfully infecting the computer from which the attachment is opened.

After infection, the malicious attachment infecting with CryptoShield may connect to the remote distribution site from which the payload of CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware is downloaded.Independent malware researcher Karsten Hahn
(@struppigel) has tweeted the threat’s malicious executable with a very low detection ratio on 3 February, 2017:

CryptoShield Ransomware – Encryption and Ransom

After having already infected the computer, the CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware virus gets right down to business. The ransomware aims to perform multiple activities on the compromised computer. For once, it begins to modify the Windows Registry Editor, so that the malicious files run on Windows boot up. The usually targeted registry keys for this are the Run and RunOnce subkeys. But the virus may also drop it’s ransom note in the %Startup% folder.

This is not all, however. Bear in mind that CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware is a threat like no other. This is why, the virus may also touch specific system files that will allow it to control the processes in Windows Task manager. This gives the CryptoShield virus the power to discontinue database processes and other critical Windows Processes. These actions may allow it not only to encrypt videos, music, documents, and other important files, but to encrypt whole databases as well.

For the file encryption, CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware has so far used the RSA cipher. The encryption procedure happens by replacing bytes of the files with symbols belonging to the encryption algorithm. After encryption takes placed, the files are no longer able to be opened and they appear corrupt. Similar to the 1.0 version, the files carry the .cryptoshield file extension:

Another activity which CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware may perform after the encryption is issue administrative commands to delete shadow copies from the infected computer. One of those commands may be the vssadmin command in administrative mode.

To make sure it’s presence is known, CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware drops a ransom note. This ransom note not only aims to stress the seriousness of the situation but also makes sure the user is completely aware of what the situation is. The ransom note also contains instructions on paying a hefty fee to the cyber-crooks behind this CryptoShield 1.1 variant.

CryptoShield Ransomware – Remove and Try to Decrypt Files

As a bottom line, this iteration of CryptoShield 1.1 has some very interesting changes, primarily in how it is hidden from antivirus programs. With it, we see that cyber-criminals are also keeping up with the latest technologies to ensure their profits from online extortion. In case you have fallen to be a victim of CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware, advises are not to pay any ransom to cyber-criminals.

Instead, it is strongly suggestible to remove that virus by following the instructions below. Security experts advise to use a specific anti-malware software which will scan your computer automatically, so that you can be very fast and thorough in removing CryptoShield ransomware, especially if you do not have experience in malware removal.

After having removed this CryptoShield 1.1 ransomware versions, there is nothing left for you but to wait for security researchers to make a breakrough, which, if happens, we will make sure to update it and link on this article, so we advise checking it regularly.

Besides this, you also have several alternative file restoration options, like trying to salvage your files via shadow copies, attempting to get them back via data recovery software, tracking down online communication with a network sniffer or tampering with your files via a third-party decryptor. We have added some suggestions in relation to those methods down below on step “2. Restore files encrypted by CryptoShield 1.1” below and our advice is to backup your encrypted files and try those methods with copies of them on your affected system.

Manually delete CryptoShield 1.1 from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the CryptoShield 1.1 threat: Manual removal of CryptoShield 1.1 requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove CryptoShield 1.1 files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by CryptoShield 1.1 on your PC.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.

4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

2.Find malicious files created by CryptoShield 1.1 on your PC

Find malicious files created by CryptoShield 1.1

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

Step 1:

On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Step 2:

Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Step 3:

Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:

Step 1:

Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Step 2:

After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Step 3:

After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

Automatically remove CryptoShield 1.1 by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove CryptoShield 1.1 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

Remove CryptoShield 1.1 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove CryptoShield 1.1.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove CryptoShield 1.1. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by CryptoShield 1.1 in the future.

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly 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.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any CryptoShield 1.1 files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

2. Restore files encrypted by CryptoShield 1.1

Restore Files Encrypted by CryptoShield 1.1

Ransomware infections like CryptoShield 1.1 aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to directly decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that they may not be 100% effective but they may help you little or a lot in some situations.

Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors.
If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:

• Kaspersky Decryptors
• Emsisoft Decryptors

Urgent! It is strongly advisable to first remove the CryptoShield 1.1 threat before attempting any decryption, since it may interfere with system files and registries. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using an advanced malware removal tool.

Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer

To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for shadow copies in Windows using this software if ransomware has not deleted them:

• Shadow Explorer

Method 4: Finding CryptoShield 1.1 decryption key while it communicates it via a network sniffing software.

Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:

Instructions on How to Find Decryption Key for Files Encrypted By Ransowmare

Vencislav Krustev

A network administrator and malware researcher at SensorsTechForum with passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cyber security. Strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

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