Cryptolocker 2019: virus removal and .enc file decryptor

Posted on March 5, 2019

6 min read

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Cryptolocker 2019 is the latest variant in a ransomware lineage that imitates the look and feel of the infamous crypto infection it borrowed the name from.

What is Cryptolocker 2019 ransomware?
Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) automated removal and data recovery
Cryptolocker 2019 ransomware manual removal and file recovery
Ransomware Prevention Tips

What is Cryptolocker 2019 ransomware?

The ransomware under scrutiny gained notoriety mostly due to its denomination. Remember the original Cryptolocker from 2013-2014? It was one of the prototypes of file-encrypting viruses as such. Although law enforcement agencies succeeded in taking down the underlying botnet in the course of the well-orchestrated Operation Tovar, different cybercrime groups ended up following suit afterwards and coined multiple copycats. Cryptolocker 2019, or Crypt0L0cker 2019, is the newest one of these spinoffs. As opposed to most of its counterparts, it is professionally designed and features strong cryptographic characteristics. By utilizing RSA-2048 encryption algorithm, the infection won’t let go of a victim’s personal data until a ransom is submitted in exchange for the unique private RSA key. Unlike the progenitor that didn’t stain hostage data with any extension or change the filenames whatsoever, this variant appends the .enc extension to the encrypted files.

Cryptolocker 2019 desktop background alert

Cryptolocker 2019 mainly infects computers through malspam, that is, emails with booby-trapped attachments on board. These messages can be masqueraded as receipts, missed deliveries, changes in a utility provider’s terms of service, and similar subjects that draw most people’s attention. The embedded file is a Word document that won’t display any information unless macros are enabled. This is the main catch that results in executing a VBScript or PowerShell instance, which in its turn downloads the ransomware from the C2 server. Then, the .enc version of the ransomware scans the hard disk, connected drives and network shares for important data. To do this, it looks for entities whose formats match the built-in list of popular data types. The data formats targeted by this malady include Microsoft Office documents, PDF files, various image types, videos, archives and databases. Once the covert traversal process has been completed, the pest engages the above-mentioned RSA-2048 cipher to make the spotted items inaccessible and adds the .enc string to each one.

Files with the .enc extension encrypted by Cryptolocker 2019

The operators of Cryptolocker 2019 didn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of the interaction with the victims. The warning window and desktop wallpaper provides one or a few email addresses for this purpose. By contacting the crooks, the infected users can learn the size of the ransom, which varies from incident to incident. The difference can be explained by the fact that different cybercriminal rings are distributing this ransomware on an affiliate basis, so they extort the amount they deem appropriate. Most of the time, the ransom is somewhere between 0.1-0.5 Bitcoin, or about $400-$1,900. Not that some iterations of the crypto virus drop ransom notes named HOW_TO_RESTORE_FILES.html or HOW_TO_RESTORE_FILES.txt. This manual contains the essentials of data recovery as well.

The private key necessary for recovering the encoded objects is kept outside of the contaminated computer. This means that victims are bound to literally buy this secret combination from the attackers. The address of the threat actors’ Bitcoin wallet is provided in response to the original email message sent by the victim. Some users have reportedly been able to negotiate the ransom size. Even if it works and the amount is somewhat reduced, this is still a terrible deal. Instead, it’s recommended to try some of the best practices of file recovery through the forensic route.

Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware), one of the best shortcuts in terms of removal is to use Combo Cleaner, a lightweight and incredibly effective application with PC security and optimization features under the hood. It detects and thoroughly deletes threats while giving you insights into the overall health of your computer.

This program’s protection power spans modules that forestall all known types of malware, including ransomware and browser hijackers, and take your online security to the next level by blocking phishing sites and other suspicious web pages. Follow these simple steps to eliminate the infection for good:

1. Download Combo Cleaner installer.

Download Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) remover

^{Combo Cleaner scans your PC with no strings attached, but you’ll have to buy its fully functional version to remove the threats it detects. The disk optimization tools that find large files and duplicates are free to use.}

2. Open the CCSetup.exe file to get started. Several subsequent screens will allow you to make initial customizations so that the program works exactly as you need from the get-go.

3. The installation will be followed by an update of malware signatures. Once this process is through, click the Start Scan button in the left-hand sidebar.

4. Combo Cleaner will then check system locations that are most often polluted by Windows malware. The first scan can take a while to finish.

5. Combo Cleaner will display a system tray notification as soon as the scan is over. Click the Resolve found threats button to view the results.

6. The scan summary shows the names and types of the detected threats as well as their statuses and locations. Click the Remove all threats button and follow further on-screen prompts to get rid of these items.

Data recovery toolkit to the rescue

Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) ransomware manual removal and file recovery

Some ransomware strains terminate themselves after completing the encryption job on a computer, but some don’t. Furthermore, the Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) virus may prevent victims from using popular antimalware tools in order to stay on board for as long as possible. Under the circumstances, it may be necessary to utilize the Safe Mode with Networking or System Restore functionality.

Remove Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking

Get rid of Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) ransomware using System Restore

System Restore enables Windows users to roll back all changes made to the OS since the latest restore point creation time. This feature can help eliminate the most persistent ransomware. Before going this route, though, make sure System Restore had been enabled prior to the breach, otherwise the method will be inefficient.

Open Windows Advanced Options Menu as described in the previous section: hit F8 repeatedly when the PC is starting up. Use arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode with Command Prompt entry. Hit Enter.
In the Command Prompt window, type cd restore and hit Enter
Type rstrui.exe in the new command line and press Enter
When the System Restore screen pops up, click Next, select a restore point that predates the contamination, and use the application’s controls to roll back the system to this earlier state.

Be advised that even after the ransomware is removed, files will still be encrypted and inaccessible. The malicious code cleanup part, however, is important because it keeps a relapse of the infection from occurring further on and eliminates all opportunistic malware.

Ways of non-ransom recovery of .enc files encrypted by Cryptolocker 2019

Cracking the crypto used by this ransom Trojan is more of a science fiction thing rather than an attainable prospect for the masses. This is why the troubleshooting in predicaments of this sort is a matter of two approaches: one is to pay the ransom, which isn’t an option for many victims; and the other is to apply instruments that take advantage of the ransomware’s possible weaknesses. If the latter is your pick, the advice below is a must-try.

Backups can make your day

Not only are you a lucky person in case you’ve been backing up your most important files, but you’re also a wise and prudent user. This isn’t necessarily a resource-heavy activity these days – in fact, some providers of online services are allocating a sufficient size of cloud storage space for free so that every customer can easily upload their critical data without paying a penny. Having removed the Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) ransomware, therefore, all you have to do is download your stuff from the remote server or transfer it all from an external piece of hardware if that’s the case.

Restore previous versions of encrypted files

A positive upshot of using this technique depends on whether or not the ransomware has erased the Volume Shadow Copies of the files on your PC. This is a Windows feature that automatically makes and keeps the backups of data elements on the hard drive as long as System Restore is enabled. The cryptoware in question is programmed to switch off the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), but it has reportedly failed to in some cases.

Checking one’s options regarding this workaround is doable in two ways: through the Properties menu of each file or by means of the remarkable open-source tool called Shadow Explorer. We recommend the software-based way because it’s automated, hence faster and easier. Just install the app and use its intuitive controls to get previous versions of the encrypted objects reinstated.

Alternatively, you can leverage the Previous Versions feature, which is native to Windows operating system. This method is more cumbersome that the use of ShadowExplorer, but it can help restore the most important individual files on condition that the ransomware failed to disable the Volume Snapshot Service on the computer. Right-click on a file of choice and select Properties. Then, go to the Previous Versions tab as illustrated below.

Go ahead and pick the file’s latest backup version on the list. Use the Copy or Restore buttons to reinstate this object to a new path or to its original folder, respectively.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

Toggle your email provider’s anti-spam settings to filter out all the potentially harmful incoming messages. Raising the bar beyond the default protection is an important countermeasure for ransom Trojans
Define specific file extension restrictions in your email system. Make sure that attachments with the following extensions are blacklisted: .js, .vbs, .docm, .hta, .exe, .cmd, .scr, and .bat. Also, treat ZIP archives in received messages with extreme caution
Rename the vssadmin.exe process so that ransomware is unable to obliterate all Shadow Volume Copies of your files in one shot
Keep your Firewall active at all times. It can prevent crypto ransomware from communicating with its C&C server. This way, the threat won’t be able to obtain cryptographic keys and lock your files
Back up your files regularly, at least the most important ones. This recommendation is self-explanatory. A ransomware attack isn’t an issue as long as you keep unaffected copies of your data in a safe place
Use an effective antimalware suite. There are security tools that identify ransomware-specific behavior and block the infection before it can do any harm.

These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

Download Cryptolocker 2019 (.enc ransomware) removal tool