Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by GANDCRAB 5.0.1 and other threats.
Threats such as GANDCRAB 5.0.1 may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article has been created in order to show you how you can remove the GANDCRAB 5.0.1 ransomware virus and how you can try and recover files, encrypted by GANDCRAB 5.0.1 without having to pay the ransom to the cyber-crooks.
The GANDCRAB v5.0 ransomware was just updated in a 5.0.1 version with some minor improvements in it. The virus’s main goal is to enter a victim PC while unnoticed and encrypt the files on the victimized machine, after which leave behind a random file extension. The virus then drops a ransom note, starting with 5 letters and looking like the following – {5 random symbols}-DECRYPT.txt, unlike the previous variant which used an .html file type for it’s note. The ransom note of GANDCRAB 5.0.1 aims to convince victims to pay ransom in order to get their encrypted files restored back to their working state. In the events that your computer has been infected by GANDCRAB 5.0.1 you should read this article. It aims to help you understand more about how GANDCRAB works and shows methods to erase this virus and try and recover files, encrypted by it without directly paying ransom.
Threat Summary
Name
GANDCRAB 5.0.1
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
New version of GandCrab ransomware. It encrypts valuable files in order to extrort a ransom payment from victims.
Symptoms
Corrupted files are marked with an extension of five random letters. The access to them is restricted. Ransomware creators demand a ransom in DASH or Bircoin cryptocurrency.
Distribution Method
Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by GANDCRAB 5.0.1
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.
GANDCRAB 5.0.1 – Distribution Methods
The latest iteration of GANDCRAB ransomware does not cheat on the old method of being replicated. The malware may infect via comromised websites, the main idea behind which is to pretend that the program you are looking for online has a crack that is available for download. This fake WordPress download site URLs is become more and more common practice as we have detected over recent months. Here is how a fake crack URL from the previous GandCrab version appears like when you look for the cracks for several converters, system tools and other types of seemingly useful programs:
The full list of programs that are imitated by the GandCrab can be seen on the related story underneath:
But this is not the only main source of propagation used by GandCrab 5.0.1 ransomware, since the virus may also be spread via the most widely used method for spreading ransomware viruses and that is via e-mail spam messages. The previous GandCrab iteration often used spam e-mails that carried around malicious e-mail attachments, also known as malspam. This type of activity was used to trick the victims into clicking on “I am not a robot” after downloading a PDF file and then this results in a Microsoft Word file that opens up with malicious Macros. The e-mails may appear like the following:
From: “Brandon Clay” [email protected] Subject: Electricity bill Feb-6509 Attachment: Feb-10451.pdf Body Text: Download the attached file.
The .PDF file may show the following after being opened:
After this, the user is misled to click on “Enable Content” on a new Microsoft Word file that derives from the .PDF file and after this is done, GANDCRAB may trigger the infection:
GANDCRAB 5.0.1 Ransomware – Analysis
When a victim PC becomes infected with the GANDCRAB ransomware virus, the 5.0.1 version drops and activates it’s main Binary file, which has different names and is located in a randomly named folder in the “USERS” profile:
After this has completed, the GANDCRAB ransomware may also drop it’s ransom note file, which appears like the following image:
Text from Image:
—= GANDCRAB V5.0.1 =— Attention! All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted and have the extension: {5 random letters} The only method of recovering files is to purchase an unique private key. Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files. The server with your key is in a closed network TOR. You can get there by the following ways:
———————————————————————– | 0. Download Tor browser – https://www.torproject.org/
| 1. Install Tor Browser | 2. Open Tor Browser | 3. Open link in TOR browser http://gandcrabmfe6mnef.onion/{victim’s unique ID} | 4. Follow the instructions on this page
On our page you will see instructions on payment and get the opportunity to decrypt 1 file for free.
ATTENTION! IN ORDER TO PREVENT DATA DAMAGE: • DO NOT MODIFY ENCRYPTED FILES • DO NOT CHANGE DATA BELOW
The ransom note then leads the victim to visit a Tor-based web page, which is similar to the other GandCrab versions, appearing like the image below shows:
To make sure that the victim does not miss out on the notification, GANDCRAB 5.0.1 also sets the wallpaper to the following:
In addition to making sure the victim knows of it’s presence, GANDCRAB 5.0.1 does way more than just that. The virus may also perform other activities on the user PC, such as adding registry values in many Windows registry sub-keys. So far, GANDCRAB 5.0.1 is reported to access the following sub-keys in the Windows Registry database:
But the main indicators of compromise are the connections which are made by this iteration of GandCrab ransomware, which are reported at VMRay to be the following IP addresses:
The 5.0.1 version of GANDCRAB ransomware virus is believed to utilize the Salsa20 encryption algorithm. Unlike the previous versions of GandCrab, this encryption mode is much faster in its encryption process so that it is more difficult to be halted. The GANDCRAB ransomware may perform the infection process in the following chronological steps:
Step 1: The virus scans the computer for the files it wants encrypted. Usually those files are:
Documents.
Videos.
Audio files.
Images.
Archives.
Databases.
The virus skips scanning in important Windows directories, which may result in breaking your OS.
Step 2:GANDCRAB V5.0.1 then encrypts the files by first creating copies of the files and then encrypting the copies after which the ransomware virus may delete the original files.
Step 3: After the encryption process has finished, the ransomware virus creates a unique decryption key that is concealed and may have either the .KEY or the .lock extension. The file itself may also be encrypted and cannot be opened.
Step 4: The GANDCRAB 5.0.1 ransomware adds a random 5 letter extension to the encrypted files, making them to start appearing like the following:
Step 5: The GANDCRAB 5.0.1 malware likely hides it’s tracks by deleting any backups and shadow copies it might encounter. This happens by executing the following commands in Windows Command Prompt as an administrator:
Remove GANDCRAB 5.0.1 Ransomware and Restore Your Encrypted Files
If you have become a victim of the 5.0.1 iteration of GANDCRAB ransomware, then you have three choices – to pay the ransom and hope for the best (not recommended), to pay a lot of money to a file recovery expert or to follow the instructions underneath this article and remove the virus yourself. The instructions below have been divided in manual and automatic removal methods. If manual removal does fail, then be advised that most experts would run a scan, using a specific anti-malware software. Such programs are usually designed to fully detect and remove all files and objects otherwise difficult to spot manually and in the same time they aim to protect your PC against any threats that might appear in the future too.
If your files were encrypted and you have no idea how to get them back, then we strongly suggest that you refrain from paying ransom to the cyber-crooks behind GANDCRAB 5.0.1. Doing this is not a guarantee that they will decrypt your files afterwards. Do not despair, however, because you still haven’t ran out of options. We have summed up several alternative recovery methods that you can try below in the step “2. Try to restore files, encrypted by GANDCRAB 5.0.1”. They are not a 100% guarantee of successful file recovery, but with their assistance, you can restore some or most of your files, depending on your situation.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by GANDCRAB 5.0.1 and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as GANDCRAB 5.0.1. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove GANDCRAB 5.0.1 follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove GANDCRAB 5.0.1 files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 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 up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by GANDCRAB 5.0.1 on your PC
Find files created by GANDCRAB 5.0.1
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove GANDCRAB 5.0.1 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for GANDCRAB 5.0.1 and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove GANDCRAB 5.0.1. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is 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. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
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 with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by GANDCRAB 5.0.1
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by GANDCRAB 5.0.1
Ransomware infections and GANDCRAB 5.0.1 aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to 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 these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for 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:
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:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
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:
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article has been created in order to show you how you can remove the GANDCRAB 5.0.1 ransomware virus and how you can try and recover files, encrypted by GANDCRAB 5.0.1 without having to pay the ransom to the cyber-crooks.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for GANDCRAB 5.0.1 and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
