Read this article to learn how to remove CURATOR ransomware and how to possibly recover files.
CURATOR Ransomware
CURATOR is the name of a ransomware virus that has been spotted in the wild. This cryptovirus is developed to corrupt computer operating systems and lock personal files. It lands on computer systems without being noticed. The encryption of personal files is followed by the creation of a ransom note called !=HOW_TO_DECRYPT_FILES=!.txt. This file aims to convince victims to contact hackers at one of the presented email addresses and ask for further details on ransom payment. Since .CURATOR files remain inaccessible until their code is reverted back to the normal state, many users rush into paying the demanded ransom. However, even the successful completion of this step provides no guarantee that .CURATOR files will be decrypted by the specialized decryption tool.
Read this article to learn how to get rid of malicious files installed by CURATOR ransomware and how to potentially restore files without paying the ransom.
CURATOR Ransomware Summary
| Name | CURATOR |
| File Extension | .CURATOR |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Ransom Notes | !=HOW_TO_DECRYPT_FILES=!.txt |
| What is It? | A ransomware that encodes your important files and asks you to pay a ransom to recover them. |
| Symptoms | All .CURATOR files cannot be opened due to changes applied to their code. You are asked to contact hackers and pay a ransom for a data decryption tool. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable Files, Hacked Websites |
| Removal | To effectively remove active CURATOR Ransomware virus infections, we recommend that you use an advanced anti-malware tool. Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss CURATOR 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. |
More Information About the CURATOR Ransomware Virus
CURATOR ransomware also dubbed CURATOR virus is a malicious piece of software. It is created with the purpose to encrypt personal data and blackmail victims into paying a hefty ransom fee. An infection with CURATOR ransomware happens via different mechanisms. The main one is considered to be malspam or spam emails that attempt to deliver malicious code. Such emails usually contain file attachments, clickable links, buttons, etc.
If it is an attachment, it may be presented as a legitimate document and stated to be:
- Invoice.
- Plane ticket information.
- PayPal or other banking information file.
- Receipt for a purchase you do not recollect making.
- Security problem with your account.
The purpose of this method is to convince people to download and run the file on their PCs without considering the risks. Once started on a system the file triggers the infection process. The infection passes through a few stages each one of which corrupts different system settings. Malicious changes usually affect specific registry keys and shadow volume copies. The first is responsible for the proper system functioning while the second is kind of a system backup.
Malicious CURATOR ransomware files may be dropped in the following directories:
- %Local%
- %AppData%
- %LocalLow%
- %Temp%
- %System%
Data corruption occurs after all neccessary system modifications. For this stage, the ransomware utilizes special module that scans system drives for personal files and encodes them. Encoding happens via two cipher algorithms – ChaCha and AES. Corrupted files can be easily spotted as they all have the extension .CURATOR appended to their names. For example, the file image.jpg may be renamed to image.jpg.CURATOR
Files that store important information are likely to be encoded by this virus. So, they could be of the following types:
- Documents.
- Images.
- Video files.
- Archives.
- Virtual drive files.
Following encryption, the ransomware drops the file !=HOW_TO_DECRYPT_FILES=!.txt to inform victims about its presence and impact. The ransom message states that files are encoded with a combination of two cipher algorithms – ChaCha and AES. The purpose of this message is to present you with hackers’ email addresses and make you contact them for details about the ransom payment process.
It is highly inadvisable that you contact hackers to pay for a decryption tool. No amount of money paid guarantees that the code of their threat is working. Even a single bug in the code of CURATOR ransomware may prevent the decryptor from restoring .CURATOR files.
Here is what the content of the text file reads:
Hello!
All your important data has been encrypted. !
Your files are safe! Only modified(ChaCha+AES)
There is no way to decrypt your files without unique decryption key and special software. Your unique decryption key is CURATORly stored on our server.
HOW TO RECOVER FILES???
Please write us to the e-mail:
assistantkeys[@]rape.lolIf you will get no answer within 24 hours contact us by our alternate emails:
mending7788[@]protonmail.chTo verify the possibility of the recovery of your files we can decrypted 1-3 file for free.
Attach 1-3 file to the letter (no more than 5Mb). Indicate your personal ID on the letter:
id-RA[redacted 10 lowercase hex]* No software available on internet can help you. We are the only ones able to solve your problem.
* Make contact as soon as possible. Your private key (decryption key) is onlystored temporarily.
* Please be sure that we will find common languge. We will restore all the data and give you recommedations how to configure the protection of your server.
Try not to contact the cyber-criminals. Every form of contact with them exposes the system at risk of further malware infections. Their promises should not be trusted. They are crooks after all.
Remove CURATOR Virus – Try Restoring Files
In order to Remove CURATOR ransomware, we strongly recommend that you read the instructions in this article. Experts suggest that the best way towards fully erasing CURATOR Virus is to follow the removal steps that are underneath in combination with downloading an advanced malware removal tool. Such software will scan your computer for any malware and make sure that it’s fully gone from it.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
- Guide 1: How to Remove CURATOR Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of CURATOR Ransomware from Mac OS X.
How to Remove CURATOR Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove CURATOR Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall CURATOR Ransomware 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 CURATOR Ransomware 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 CURATOR Ransomware there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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 CURATOR Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by CURATOR Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and CURATOR Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of CURATOR Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall CURATOR Ransomware 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:
- 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 CURATOR Ransomware 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:
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 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by CURATOR Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and CURATOR Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
CURATOR Ransomware FAQ
What is CURATOR Ransomware ransomware and how does it work?
CURATOR Ransomware is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does CURATOR Ransomware ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.CURATOR Ransomware Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of CURATOR Ransomware is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .CURATOR Ransomware files?
You can't. At this point the .CURATOR Ransomware files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .CURATOR Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by CURATOR Ransomware ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".CURATOR Ransomware" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .CURATOR Ransomware files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of CURATOR Ransomware ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate CURATOR Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .CURATOR Ransomware files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like CURATOR Ransomware ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer. Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
- Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
- United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
- United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
- Italy - Polizia Di Stato
- Spain - Policía Nacional
- Netherlands - Politie
- Poland - Policja
- Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
- Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
- India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
- Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
