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 Ransomcuck and other threats.
Threats such as Ransomcuck 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.
Ransomware virus, resembling very much TeslaCrypt and Locky ransomware, named Ransomcuck has been reported to lock affected users’ files using the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. The virus uses the .ransomcuck and .cuck file extensions after it enciphers the files of an infected computer. It then, leaves several ransom notes and users who have become victims of this virus are strongly advised not to pay any money requested by the cyber-criminals in those notes. Since this is a very devastating threat, at the moment, we strongly advise removing it and trying to decrypt encrypted files using the alternative methods in this article while an actual decryptor is released.
Threat Summary
Name
Ransomcuck
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
The ransomware seeks to encrypt files that are often used. You are given a deadline to pay, otherwise the price rises.
Symptoms
The ransomware encrypts files, changing thier extensions to .cuck or .ransomcuck. After that it shows a ransom note as your desktop background and in a pop-up window on your desktop.
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.
Ransomcuck Virus – How Does It Infect
To conduct an attack, Ransomcuck’ malicious payload needs to be dropped on the targeted computer. This can happen in two main ways – via a malicious file that is disguised to trick users into opening it or via a malicious URL that may cause automatic download and execution on the victim PC.
Whatever the case may be, the virus may be spread via spam e-mail messages that may contain both – the URLs or malicious attachments. Once it has been sent out massively to a pre-programmed list of e-mail addresses the messages containing the malicious files may vary. For example, one spam message may claim that the user has paid for an order and provide an “Invoice” which could be the malicious file. But there may also be messages, saying the user has been added as a friend on Facebook with a fake “See More” button that instead of leading to Facebook, may transfer the user to a malicious web link that can cause the infection
Ransomcuck Ransomware In Detail
Once Ransomcuck has been executed on your computer, it may directly drop and execute it’s files without any permission and without you noticing. The malicious files may be more than just one .exe file, and they may be located in the following key Windows folders:
%AppData%
%Roaming%
%Temp%
%Local%
%SystemDrive%
%System32%
The malicious files of Ransomcuck may contain different names, for example:
Once the Ransomcuck virus is on your computer, it may also attack the Run and RunOnce registry keys, creating value strings with the location of the file encryptor and the ransom notes, so that they are executed every time you start Windows.
After the primary encryption module of the Ransomcuck malware infection has been executed, the virus may look for a variety of file types to encrypt. It looks primarily for files that are important and often used, such as:
Documents.
Databases.
Audio files.
Video files.
Files associated with often used programs, like Photoshop, for example.
Presentations.
Images.
The Ransomcuck virus is very clever in its actions, skipping important Windows folders to encrypt files in them because this may damage your operating system.
To encrypt the files of it’s victims, the Ransomcuck virus uses the .cuck or .ransomcuck file extensions after the files. Files encrypted by this ransomware, look like the following and cannot be opened by any software:
This is because the Ransomcuck virus uses two of the strongest encryption algorithms out there to scramble the structure code of the files – AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) ciphers. The AES cipher is being used for one and only purpose to encrypt the files themselves, generating a unique decryption key. This decryption key is then saved and encrypted with the RSA algorithm, and then this information is sent either via TCP or UDP traffic to the servers of the cyber-criminals, making them the only ones in power to unencrypt the files.
After encryption, this virus then leaves behind on the %Desktop% two files:
How_to_Recover_ Files.html
How_to_Recover_ Files.txt
The files are reported to contain the following ransom note:
→“All files including videos, photos, and documents on your computer have been encrypted by this software. Encryption was produced using a unique key specific to your computer. The only way to obtain your files back is to decrypt them using the unique key specific to your computer. Your unique key is stored on a TOR server which will automatically destroy itself after 2 weeks. After that, no one will be able to restore your files. If this program is altered in any way without ransom being payed, your files will be lost forever. A file has been created on the desktop with the exact same instructions. Your files will be automatically decrypted once the payment is received. This program automatically communicates with the server and will decrypt your files once the payment has been received.”
Ransomcuck Virus – Conclusion, Removal, and File Restoration Alternatives
Malware researchers believe that this virus has been created by the same coder who was behind the DetoxCrypto virus. Since they are constantly working and on the lookout for a free decryption method, it is NOT advisable to pay any ransom money to the criminals who are behind this virus. Instead, we advise you to remove it, using the instructions below and try alternative methods to decrypt your files. Bear in mind that for maximum effectiveness while removing Ransomcuck, experts recommend using an advanced anti-malware program. Some alternative techniques can be found in step “3.Restore files encrypted by Ransomcuck” below. These temporary solutions may not be as effective as the actual decryption key, but they are a good method while you wait for a free decryption to be released. We suggest you to check this article often since we are going to update it as soon as there is a free decryptor available.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Ransomcuck 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 Ransomcuck. 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 Ransomcuck follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Ransomcuck 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 Ransomcuck on your PC
Find files created by Ransomcuck
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 Ransomcuck with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Ransomcuck and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Ransomcuck. 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 Ransomcuck
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomcuck
Ransomware infections and Ransomcuck 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.
Ransomware virus, resembling very much TeslaCrypt and Locky ransomware, named Ransomcuck has been reported to lock affected users’ files using the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. The virus uses the .ransomcuck and .cuck file extensions after it enciphers the files of an infected computer. It then, leaves several ransom notes and users who have become victims of this virus are strongly advised not to pay any money requested by the cyber-criminals in those notes. Since this is a very devastating threat, at the moment, we strongly advise removing it and trying to decrypt encrypted files using the alternative methods in this article while an actual decryptor is released.
Encryption was produced using a unique key specific to your computer. The only way to obtain your files back is to decrypt them using the unique key specific to your computer.
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 Ransomcuck and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
