This article has been created to help explain what is KRAKEN CRYPTOR ransomware virus and how you can effectively remove it from your computer plus how you can restore files, encrypted with the Lock.onion file extension added to them.
A new ransomware variant has recently been uncovered by security researchers, and it seems to call itself KRAKEN CRYPTOR. The ransomware virus aims to leave behind the encrypted files on the computer it infects in a renamed variant that gives them the number and adds the Lock.onion suffix, for example 0000001-Lock.onion. According to the reputable malware researcher Jakub Kroustek, the ransomware seems to be a new variant and it extorts victims into paying a large amount of money in BitCoin. If your computer has been infected by KRAKEN CRYPTOR, we recommend that you read this article thoroughly as it will show you how you can remove this ransomware and hopefully restore as many files encrypted by it as possible.
Threat Summary
| Name | KRAKEN CRYPTOR |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Aims to encrypt the files on the victims’ computers and makes them unrecognizable and no longer usable until the victim pays ransom in BitCoin. |
| Symptoms | Files are completely renamed with the added Lock.onion suffix and a ransom note is dropped, called #How to Decrypt Files.txt. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss KRAKEN CRYPTOR. |
| 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. |
KRAKEN CRYPTOR – Update October 2018
October 2018 brings news around KRAKEN CRYPTOR. As this RaaS (Ransomware as a Service) is actively being distributed by affiliates, the current one responsible for the delivery of the virus is the Fallout Exploit kit. Fallout EK used to spread GandCrab, and leverage CVE-2018-4878, CVE-2018-8174 vulnerabilities. It seems that the ransomware that is being pushed from the exploit kit is ever changing.
KRAKEN CRYPTOR – Infection Methods
Many do believe that KRAKEN CRYPTOR is made by the same people behind Kraken Ransomware, which was detected a while back, but it seems to have little in common with the virus as researchers do believe that the code is new. Either way, this dangerous malware string may find its way into your computer as a result of you having to open a malicious e-mail attachment sent to you. Such attachments may be directly added to the e-mail as a seemingly important document, for example:
- Invoice.
- Purchase receipt.
- Banking letter.
- Activity report.
The attachment may also beadded in the form of a web link, like the spam e-mail scenario examples below show:
“Dear { Your Name }
There is suspicious activity on your bank account. “
(Scenario 1)
“Please visit the following web link to verify your information: “
{ malicious URL }
(Scenario 2)
“For more information on your transaction history, please view the attachment on this e-mail.”
After the user clicks on the web link or downloads and runs the attachment file, the infection may commence. The malicious files that you should be careful if you are not sure what to look for often are from the following file types:
→ .jse, .js, .wsf, .bat, .hta, .html, .htm, .vbs
The KRAKEN ENCRYPTOR may also infect your computer by adding fake Microsoft Office documents to it that contain malicious macros and may infect your machine in the following chain of activities:
KRAKEN CRYPTOR Ransomware – Activity Report
Once you have become infected with KRAKEN CRYPTOR, researchers have detected that the ransomware virus may drop the following file detection on your computer:
→ Name: Kraken.exe
SHA-256: 528e4d24c18160b6bdd73c9a612d38a78fc58bd40c8ab415973a94429b321dfc
Size:94 KB
Among the files dropped by the KRAKEN CRYPTOR is it’s ransom note, whose main purpose is to lead you into paying a hefty ransom fee to the cyber extortionists. The ransom note is called #How to Decrypt Files.txt and has the following message to victims:
Pic
Text from Image:
What happened to my computer?
All of your files such as documents. images. videos and other files with the different names and extensions are encrypted by “KRAKEN CRYPTOR”!
The speed, power and complexity of this encryption have been high and if you are now viewing this guide.It means that “KRAKEN CRYPTOR” immediately removed form your system!
No way to recovery your files without “KRAKEN DECRYPTOR” software and your computer “UNIQUE KEY”!
You need to buy it rom us because only we can help you!
what the mean is encryption?
In cryptography. encryption is the process of encoding a message or information in such a way that only authorized parties can access it.
And t ose who are not authorized cannot.How can recover my files?
we guarantee that you can recover all your files soon safely.
You can decrypt one of your encrypted smaller file for free in the first contact wfith us.
For the decryption serv ce, we a so need your “KRAKEN ENCRYPTED UNIQUE KEY” you can see this in the top!
Are you want to decrypt all of your encrypted files? if yes! You need to pay for decryption service to us!
After your payment made. all of your encrypted files has been decrypted.
How much is need to pay?
You need to pay (0.125 BTC), payment only can made as Bitcoins.
This links help you to understand whats s a Bitcoins and how it work:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sitcoins
How to obtain Bitcoins?
The easiest way to buy Bitcoins is LocalBitcoins website.
You must register on this site and click “BUY Bitcoins” then choose your country to find sellers and their prices.
https://localsitcoins.com/buy_aitcoinsOther places to buy Bitcoins in exchange for other currencies:
https://Bitcoins.org/en/exchanges
The Kraken.exe file may be accompanied with other files of this type, that may have the same or similar names. These files are often known as modules and they aim to perform different malicious functions in the ransomware’s infection acitivity.
One of those functions is to modify the Windows Registry Editor of your machine by adding various malicious registry sub-key values into the Run and RunOnce sub-keys that have the following locations:
→ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
In addition to this, the KRAKEN CRYPTOR ransomware virus may execute different commands as an administrator on your computer in order to disable Windows Recovery and delete the backed up files and shadow copies from your computer. The commands may be the following:
→ sc stop VVS
sc stop wscsvc
sc stop WinDefend
sc stop wuauserv
sc stop BITS
sc stop ERSvc
sc stop WerSvc
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe” /C vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
KRAKEN CRYPTOR – Encryption Process
To encrypt the files on your computer, KRAKEN CRYPTOR first has to find them. The virus has a pre-configured method by which it scans your PC for the files that you use very often, such as:
- Videos.
- Documents.
- Images.
- Archives.
- Audio files.
- Virtual Drives.
- Databases.
The virus also adds severa Windows folders to it’s whitelist so that it does not encrypt files in them and hence prevents your OS from being damaged by it. Other than that all other files are comletely renamed with a number, making them look like the following:
Remove KRAKEN CRYPTOR and Restore Lock.onion Encrypted Files
If you want to fully and effectively remove this ransomware virus from your computer, we suggest that you follow the manual or automatic removal instructions below. Bear in mind tha this virus is a sophisticated type of threat and it’s removal should be done only if you have experience, because an unproper removal may leave the ransomware still on your PC and your files may also be permanently damaged. This is why, for maximum effectiveness experts often recommend turning to advanced anti-malware software. Downloading and running a scan with such a program will make sure that your KRAKEN CRYPTOR and other malware and unwanted software residing on your PC is fully removed and your Windows machine remains protected against any future infections as well.
If you are looking for a way to restore files that have been encrypted on your computer with the Lock.onion file extension, we would suggest that you try out the alternative file recovery methods in step “2. Restore files, encrypted by KRAKEN CRYPTOR”. They may not be 100% solution, but they are much better than paying the actual ransom to crooks who may just run away with the money.
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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by KRAKEN CRYPTOR.
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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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.
KRAKEN CRYPTOR-FAQ
What is KRAKEN CRYPTOR Ransomware?
KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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.
Can KRAKEN CRYPTOR Ransomware Cayse Damage?
Yes, ransomware can damage your computer. Ransomware is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
Should I Ignore Viruses, Like KRAKEN CRYPTOR?
No, you should never ignore ransomware. It can encrypt your data and block access to your computer, making it impossible to access your files until you pay a ransom.
Ignoring ransomware could lead to the permanent loss of your data, as well as the potential for the ransomware to spread to other computers on your network. Additionally, paying the ransom does not guarantee that your data will be recovered.
How Does KRAKEN CRYPTOR Infect?
Via several ways.KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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.
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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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 .KRAKEN CRYPTOR files?
You can't. At this point, the .KRAKEN CRYPTOR files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryptionkey 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 .KRAKEN CRYPTOR files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".KRAKEN CRYPTOR" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .KRAKEN CRYPTOR files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like KRAKEN CRYPTOR ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts.
What to Do If I Cant Get The Files Back?
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 can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way 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.
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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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.
Why Is the Ransom Paid in Crypto?
Cryptocurrency is a secure and untraceable form of payment, making it the ideal choice for ransom payments. It is difficult to trace, and the transactions are almost instantaneous. This means it is nearly impossible for authorities to track the payment and recover the money.
Can 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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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 KRAKEN CRYPTOR 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.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.