Remove LazagneCrypt Ransomware – Restore .encr Files

This article is created to help users infected by LazagneCrypt ransomware through the removal and the recovery process of .encr files.

LazagneCrypt ransomware aims to locate predefined types of files stored on the compromised machine and then encrypts them. For the purpose, it uses strong cipher algorithm. Corrupted files have the extension .encr and are completely unusable until a ransom for their decryption is paid to hackers. On top of that LazagneCrypt ransomware can steal all credentials stored on the infected machine. Thus, the ransomware has to be removed instantly.

Threat Summary

Name	LazagneCrypt
Type	Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description	Aims to encrypt particular files that store imortant information and demands a ransom for their decryption.
Symptoms	The ransomware appends the .locked file extension to the corrupted files.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by LazagneCrypt Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss LazagneCrypt.
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.

LazagneCrypt Ransomware – Ways of Distribution

The analyses of LazagneCrypt ransomware samples reveal that an executable file called brc.exe triggers the infection. That malicious file may be distributed via different methods. Among the most preferred are email spam attachments, compromised links and software bundles.

There are several known traits of the emails that are trying to deliver a ransomware infection. First, they need to look legitimate so they often use the names of popular services, websites, stores and governmental institutions. The senders pretend to be representatives of these companies and the message is trying to provoke your emotional triggers. Such emails aim to convince you that the information of an attached file is extremely important and you should view it as soon as possible. However, once you open the file on your PC, it causes an infection with LazagneCrypt ransomware.

In an attempt to deliver the ransomware payload hackers may create colognes of particular web pages and inject the malicious script into their source code. What lefts is the spread of the corrupted links across the net. This may happen via emails, instant messages, social media channels and malvertising campaigns.

What is typical for the software bundles is that the installers of supposedly useful apps contain additional components that may remain hidden in the Advanced or Custom options. As these parts are usually set for installation by default you may unknowingly infect your system with LazagneCrypt ransomware.

LazagneCrypt Ransomware – In-Depth Analysis

Once the malicious executable brc.exe is running on the system it starts the infection process of LazagneCrypt ransomware. A sequence of harmful actions leads to the total corruption of the computer system and all the important files of yours.

In case that the ransomware needs additional malicious components it can connect to its command and control server to download them. There are several folder locations where LazagneCrypt crypto virus might drop its files. Below you can see them:

Among the observed impacts are believed to be modifications of some important registry keys. Commonly ransomware infections like LazagneCrypt target the Run and RunOnce registry keys as they contain information which programs should run each time a user logs on the system. By adding specific entries under these keys the ransomware can start each time you turn log on your system profile. The exact location of these keys is:

→ 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

The analysis conducted by the security researcher Karsten Han has discovered a devastating fact about LazagneCrypt ransomware. As explained the threat can steal passwords from the compromised machine and then send them to hackers.

For the purpose, LazagneCrypt employs the LaZagne password recovery tool. The tool can retrieve passwords stored by commonly-used software apps that are installed on the compromised computer. The password dumps are then uploaded to hackers’ controlled account via the service SwissDisk.

A specific trait of LazagneCrypt crypto virus is a file that contains a ransom message. The file is likely to be dropped on the Desktop. It aims to inform you that your data is encrypted with strong cipher and you need to pay a ransom probably in Bitcoin. The amount may vary from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars.

LazagneCrypt Ransomware – Encryption Process

The primary aim of LazagneCrypt ransomware is to find particular files stored on the compromised device and modify their original code with the help of strong cipher algorithm. As a result the corrupted files recieve the extenson .encr and connot display the data they store.

Being based on the code of the HiddenTear project the LazagneCrypt ransomware is likely to target the following types of files for encryption:

→.txt, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .odt, .jpg, .png, .csv, .sql, .mdb, .hwp, .pdf, .php, .asp, .aspx, .html, .xml, and .psd

In addition, the crypto virus might delete the Shadow Volume Copies stored on the system as they may be used for the recovery of .encr files. This happens after the following command is entered in the CommandPrompt:

→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet

Remove LazagneCrypt Ransomware and Restore .encr Files

To remove LazagneCrypt ransomware you can follow the step-by-step removal guide provided below. It provides help for the removal of all malicious files and objects associated with LazagneCrypt ransomware. Due to the complexity of ransomware code, security specialists always recommended the help of an anti-malware tool. Such a tool will easily locate all malicious files so you can then delete them with a few mouse clicks.

Before you continue with the data recovery process be sure to have copies of all corrupted .encr files stored on an external drive.

Manually delete LazagneCrypt from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the LazagneCrypt threat: Manual removal of LazagneCrypt requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove LazagneCrypt files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by LazagneCrypt on your PC.

For Windows XP, Vista, 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 the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

2. Find malicious files created by LazagneCrypt on your PC

Find malicious files created by LazagneCrypt

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

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.

Automatically remove LazagneCrypt by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove LazagneCrypt with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

Remove LazagneCrypt with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove LazagneCrypt.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove LazagneCrypt. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by LazagneCrypt in the future.

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly 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.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any LazagneCrypt files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

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 automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

2. Restore files encrypted by LazagneCrypt

Restore Files Encrypted by LazagneCrypt

Ransomware infections like LazagneCrypt aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to directly 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 they may not be 100% effective but they may help you little or a lot in some situations.

Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method of 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:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

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:

• Kaspersky Decryptors
• Emsisoft Decryptors

Urgent! It is strongly advisable to first remove the LazagneCrypt threat before attempting any decryption, since it may interfere with system files and registries. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using an advanced malware removal tool.

Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer

To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for shadow copies in Windows using this software if ransomware has not deleted them:

• Shadow Explorer

Method 4: Finding LazagneCrypt decryption key while it communicates it via a network sniffing software.

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:

Instructions on How to Find Decryption Key for Files Encrypted By Ransowmare

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove LazagneCrypt Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove LazagneCrypt.
Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.

Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.

Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.

Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.

2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all LazagneCrypt associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.

Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.

Gergana Ivanova

Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.

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