This article aims to show you how to delete CryptoShield ransomware from your computer and hopefully decrypt .cryptoshield files.
Thankfully for some victims, a decryptor has been released by Avast malware research experts that will decrypt files encrypted by CryptoShield ransomware. The virus came out earlier this year, using the .cryptoshield file extension and CryptoWall ransomware’s ransom note. It is reportedly using AES cipher that generate unique decryption keys which cyber-criminals use to extort victims of this virus. The bad news in this case is that according to expert Jakub Kroustek the decryption tool prepared by Ladislav Zezula may work only for some instances of the ransomware. Either way, we have decided to assist with creating instructions on how to use the Avast decryption tool and try to decode the files.
CryptoShield Ransomware – More Information
The CryptoShield virus was first discovered in a 1.0 version in the end of January, 2017. Since then, this virus has evolved in two other versions – 1.1 and 2.0.
To infect unsuspecting users, all the versions have begun to utilize the latest Rig Exploit Kit version 4.0 which is also used with other well-known ransomware viruses:
The exploit kit was combined with a malicious executable, which may be of the following executable file types:
→ ‘sys’,’shs’,’wmf’,’chm’,’wmf’,’ozd’,’ocx’,’aru’,’xtbl’,’bin’,’exe1′,’386′,’dev’,’xnxx’,’vexe’,’tps’,’pgm’,’php3′,’hlp’,’vxd’,’buk’,’dxz’,’rsc_tmp’,’sop’,’wlpginstall’,’boo’,’bkd’,’tsa’,’cla’,’cih’,’kcd’,’s7p’,’smm’,’osa’,’exe_renamed’,’smtp’,’dom’,’vbx’,’hlw’,’dyz’,’rhk’,’fag’,’qrn’,’fnr’,’dlb’,’mfu’,’xir’,’lik’,’ctbl’,’dyv’,’bll’,’bxz’,’mjz’,’mjg’,’dli’,’fjl’,’ska’,’dllx’,’tti’,’upa’,’txs’,’wsh’,’uzy’,’cfxxe’,’xdu’,’bup’,’spam’,’nls’,’iws’,’ezt’,’oar’,’.9′,’blf’,’cxq’,’cxq’,’cc’,’dbd’,’xlv’,’rna’,’tko’,’delf’,’ceo’,’bhx’,’atm’,’lkh’,’vzr’,’ce0′,’bps’,’pid’,’hsq’,’zvz’,’bmw’,’fuj’,’ssy’,’hts’,’qit’,’aepl’,’dx’,’lok’,’plc’,’mcq’,’cyw’,’let’,’bqf’,’iva’,’xnt’,’pr’,’lpaq5′,’capxml’
After infection, CryptoShield drops multiple .exe and .tmp.exe files on the compromised computers by downloading them from remote hosts, such as 107.191.62.136:80.
Cryptoshield also uses commands in Windows command prompt to delete shadow volume copies and disable the recovery of Windows.
Thankfully, some of the victims of this ransomware infection do not have to pay the ransom, if they haven’t already deleted the encrypted files.
CryptoShield Ransomware – Decryption Process
Before any decryption process by this virus begins, recommendations are to use an advanced anti-malware tool to remove the infection and then to back-up the encrypted files by creating several copies of them on different removable drives or in the cloud.
Then, we advise you to follow these steps:
Step #1: Download “CryptoMix Fix” tool from Avast’s website. Link to the download page, you can locate below:
https://www.avast.com/ransomware-decryption-tools#cryptomix
Make sure to save the file somewhere where you can easily find it:
Step #2: Run the program and click on the “Next” button.
Step #3: Choose the drive which you want to be scanned for encrypted files and click on “Next” once more. You can also add a folder that has important files, by clicking on the “Add Folder” button on the bottom-right:
Step #4: Find an original file and it’s encrypted analogue. If you struggle finding an original file, please check the default Windows folders of a non-infected PC with the same version of Windows as yours:
→ For newer Windows (8, 8.1, 10):
C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper
For Windows 7 and earlier:
C:\Users\Public\Pictures
C:\Users\{Username}\Pictures
Step #5: Upload the files in the blank fields of the next step of the Avast CryptoMix Fix decryptor:
Step #6: Paste the password from your version of CryptoMix in the next field in case you know it:
And now all that is left is to run the decryptor and it will begin to do it’s magic.
CryptoShield Decryption – The Bottom Line
As a conclusion, it is vital to know that if you have decrypted your files successfully, you are in great luck, because there are many ransomware victims who still haven’t. This is why we at SensorsTechForum are committed to educating users how to avoid such infections before they even happen. To learn how to prevent ransomware viruses and other malware infections from infecting your computer via e-mail, please read the related article below:
- Guide 1: How to Remove CryptoShield from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of CryptoShield on Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove CryptoShield in Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase CryptoShield from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall CryptoShield from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove CryptoShield from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate CryptoShield from Internet Explorer.
- Guide 8: Disable CryptoShield Push Notifications in Your Browsers.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove CryptoShield from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove CryptoShield





Step 2: Uninstall CryptoShield 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:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by CryptoShield 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 CryptoShield there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Get rid of CryptoShield from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall CryptoShield 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 CryptoShield 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 2: Scan for and remove CryptoShield files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as CryptoShield, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove CryptoShield 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 CryptoShield 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 CryptoShield 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 CryptoShield 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 CryptoShield will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Eliminate CryptoShield 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 CryptoShield 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".