This article aims to help you by showing you how to fully remove the .fairytail ransomware infection from your computer system and how to restore files that have been encrypted with the added .fairytail file extension to them.
The new variant of Cryakl ransomware virus is here and it uses the .fairytail file extension after it encrypts the files on the computers that have been infected by the virus. Alongside it, the files are also renamed with a added symbols to their original anames, making them to appear corrupt. In addition to this, the .fairytail files virus also drops a ransom note file which aims to extort the victims of this virus into paying a hefty ransom fee in order to recover their encrypted files. If you are one of the victims of the .fairytail ransomware virus, we advise that you read this article and learn how to remove this virus from your computer and how to try and restore .fairytail encrypted files without paying the actual ransom.
Threat Summary
| Name | .fairytail Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | New variant of Cryakl ransomware virus. Encrypts documents, videos and other important files and asks to contact the cyber-crooks and cooperate to get your files back. |
| Symptoms | Drops a Readme.txt ransom note file and encrypts the files, adding the .fairytail file extension after their original name. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .fairytail Files Virus. |
| 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. |
.fairytail Files Virus – Methods of Replication
For this virus to infect users while remaining undetected, it uses obfuscation techniques that aim to avoid conventional antivirus protection. Those techniques are usually embedded in an Exploit Kit or other form of malicious infection kit and they target vulnerabilities in Windows. The infection process is done via an infection file which is masked as a legitimate type of document or other type of important file, such as:
- A receipt.
- Setups of programs.
- Invoices.
- Fake key generators.
- Program cracks or patches.
- Fake banking statements.
If you receive the file via e-mail it may be an executable type of file, a JavaScript file or even a Microsoft Word .docm type of file, containing malicious macros within it. The cyber-criminals may make it so that the e-mail looks like a legitimate type of message sent to notify you that it is important to open the attachment. They often include convincing statements, for example:
.fairytail Cryakl Ransomware – More Information
As soon as an infection by this ransomware virus takes place on your computer, you may immediately begin to experience system freezes and interrupts. This is because the .fairytail ransomware performs it’s malicious activity on your computer, starting with dropping it’s malicous files in it. Those usually are located in the following Windows directories:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %Roaming%
- %LocalLow%
- %Temp%
As soon as the Cryakl .fairytail files virus has had it’s malicious files dropped on the computer of the victim, the malware may immediately start to interfere with the Run and RunOnce Windows Registry sub-keys, adding values of data in them that make the malicious file of the virus which encrypts your data run automatically when your Windows boots. The sub-keys have the following locations:
→ 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
In addition to this, the virus may also drop a README.txt file that has the one and only purpose to get you to message the cyber-criminals via e-mail in order to receive further instructions on how to pay the ransom fee of this virus in order to get them to decrypt your files.
Furthermore, before beginning to encrypt your files, the .fairytail ransomware infection may also delete the shadow volume copies on your computer system and disable the Windows Recovery process. This is done by executing commands in Windows Command Prompt with the following parameters:
→ process call create “cmd.exe /c vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet & bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no & bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures”
.fairytail Ransomware – Encryption Process
The Fairytail ransomware virus has different activities when it comes to encrypting your files. Firstly, the virus is configured to search for important files on your system, such as archives, images, audio and video files, documents and others. It does this by targeting the most commonly used file extensions, some of which are the among following:
“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 .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”
After the files match with the ones Cryakl ransomware is scanning for, the virus begins the encryption procedure by triggering the encryption mode to begin replacing bytes of data from the original files with scrambled data, breaking the original structure of the files and thus making them no longer able to be opened again. This results in the files to seem corrupt and the malware changes their file extensions, making them assume the following appearance:
The sum, demanded by the cyber-crooks may vary depending on the negotiations with them and paying the ransom is highly inadvisable, because you cannot trust them and you support them to further develop and spread their viruses to infect others.
Remove Cryakl Ransomware and Restore .fairytail Encrypted Files
If your computer has been infected by the .fairytail ransomware virus, recommendations are to remove it by following the removal instructions in the article. However, in order to perform the removal, you would need to have some experience with malware. Furthermore, experts strongly advise to do the removal automatically using an advanced anti-malware software, which will help scan for all the malicious files of .fairytail and remove them plus protect your computer against future infections as well.
In the even that your files have been encrypted by this ransomware virus, you can try the alternative methods for file recovery which we have suggested below in step “2. Restore files encrypted by .fairytail Files Virus”. They may not be 100% effective, but the tools may help you recover as many encrypted files as possible without actually having to pay ransom.
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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Step 1: Scan for .fairytail Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .fairytail Files Virus and related malware 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 delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .fairytail Files Virus 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 .fairytail Files Virus 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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .fairytail Files Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .fairytail Files Virus.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and .fairytail Files Virus 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 the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
.fairytail Files Virus-FAQ
What is .fairytail Files Virus Ransomware?
.fairytail Files Virus 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 algorithms 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.
What Does .fairytail Files Virus Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does .fairytail Files Virus Infect?
Via several ways..fairytail Files Virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, 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.
Another way you may become a victim of .fairytail Files Virus 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 ..fairytail Files Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..fairytail Files Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your ..fairytail Files Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..fairytail Files Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..fairytail Files Virus files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of .fairytail Files Virus Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate .fairytail Files Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..fairytail Files Virus files.
Can I 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.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can .fairytail Files Virus Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the .fairytail Files Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .fairytail Files Virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the .fairytail Files Virus ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
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.
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