Cryptodark Ransomware Removal Guide

Do you know what Cryptodark Ransomware is?

New ransomware infections keep popping up every single day, and Cryptodark Ransomware is the threat that we need to discuss as soon as possible. Although it is one of those infections that are meant to encrypt your files and then demand a ransom fee, at this moment, it is pretty helpless. Just like Kuntzware Ransomware, J Ransomware, or Ogre Ransomware, this malicious infection is not fully developed yet, and we cannot confirm or deny that it will be fully developed in the future. Nonetheless, we have to discuss all options, and, unfortunately, it is possible that this threat will start spreading and corrupting files pretty soon. Hopefully, you are reading this while there is still time to protect yourself against file-encrypting ransomware, and not after it has corrupted your files. Keep reading this report, and you will know how to defend yourself and how to remove Cryptodark Ransomware in case it slithers in.

Since Cryptodark Ransomware does not spread at the moment, it is impossible to say how exactly this infection is intended to spread, but we can make a guess after taking all other threats into consideration. Most infections of this kind are distributed with the help of spam emails. You know the rule: You should not open spam, especially if it is sent by unknown parties. The rule has merit because more and more schemers and malware distributors are exploiting spam emails to expose unsuspecting users to malicious launchers. Software bundling, RDP exploits, and Windows vulnerabilities could be used to spread Cryptodark Ransomware as well. If we obtain more concrete information regarding the distribution of this infection, we will post an update. Overall, this infection is not just some hypothetical threat that will never exist. On the contrary, it appears to be fully ready for real attacks.

When analyzing the infection, our research team has found that this threat uses different ways to inform the victims about the encryption of files and the demands to pay a ransom. First of all, the threat replaces the usual Desktop wallpaper with an image suggesting that you must pay a ransom of $300. If you do that, you are promised a program called CryptoDark Decryptor. At this time, it is not even clear whether this tool exists. A disclaimer at the bottom of this image suggests installing an unfamiliar anti-virus program, and our researchers found that the link to this program does not work. Besides that, Cryptodark Ransomware also opens a window that warns: “Your files have been encrypted!” This window might lock the screen, and it is meant to introduce the victim to the Bitcoin Wallet to which the ransom is expected to be paid. So, what about the ransom? If your personal files were corrupted by the infection, should you pay it? You are free to do that, but it is unlikely that a decryptor would be provided to you.Cryptodark Ransomware Removal GuideCryptodark Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions

At this time, Cryptodark Ransomware does not lock your computer or encrypt your files, but that might change pretty soon. If that happens, your files could be damaged for good, and so it is high time you took the measures to ensure that your files remain safe no matter what. The good news is that by following our recommendations, you will be protecting yourself against all ransomware infections. The first thing we advise is backing up your files because if your files are backed up, you do not need to do much even if a file-locker successfully invades your operating system. The second thing you should do is employ an anti-malware tool to ensure that your operating system is guarded against the invasion of malware. And in case the infection has slithered in already, you can trust this tool to remove it automatically. Alternatively, you should be able to delete Cryptodark Ransomware using this manual removal guide.

Remove Cryptodark Ransomware

  1. Right-click the window of the screen-locker on the Taskbar and choose Close window.
  2. Launch RUN by tapping Win+R keys.
  3. Enter regedit.exe into the dialog box to launch Registry Editor.
  4. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop.
  5. Double-click the value called WallPaper and erase the path in the valuedata (it should point to the file called CRYPTODARKBACKGROUND.BMP). Click OK.
  6. Move to the Desktop and right-click the file named CryptoDark Decryptor.lnk.
  7. Select Open file location and then Delete the original ransomware launcher.
  8. Go back to the Desktop and Delete these files:
    • 1.CRYPTODARK
    • 2.CRYPTODARK
    • CRYPTODARKBACKGROUND.BMP
    • CryptoDark Decryptor.lnk
  9. Empty Recycle Bin and then perform a full system scan (do NOT skip this crucial step).

In non-techie terms:

At this time, Cryptodark Ransomware is not an active infection, and no one can predict if or when it will be fully developed and unleashed. In case it is spread, this infection might encrypt your files and even lock the screen to make you follow the demands, which include paying the ransom of $300. According to our research, it should be easy to close the screen-locking window by right-clicking it on the Taskbar and selecting “Close window.” After you do that, it should not be hard to have other components of the malicious Cryptodark Ransomware deleted. Since manual removal can be tricky, it is always recommended that the users dealing with ransomware employ anti-malware software. If you are not a victim of a ransomware, employ this software ASAP to ensure complete protection, and do not forget to back up your files to keep them extra safe.