Do you know what CryptoLockerEU Ransomware is?
Generally speaking, CryptoLockerEU Ransomware is a modified version of CryptoLocker Ransomware that used to be popular some time ago. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that this infection is very similar to the original threat the way it acts. Our research team has tested this computer infection in a lab and revealed that it encrypts users’ files stored on the computer it infiltrates and adds a filename extension .send 0.3 BTC crypt to all locked files. After it finishes doing its job, it leaves a ransom note for users to inform them about the cyber attack and tell them how these encrypted files can be unlocked. CryptoLockerEU has been categorized as ransomware not without reason. It has fallen into this category because it encrypts users’ files and then demands money. Do not send money to cyber criminals even though it is said there that it is the only way to get files back. It is not advisable to do that because they might take your money but do not give you anything in exchange. Also, it might be very true that they do not even have the private key that can unlock files.
Your all pictures, documents, videos, and music will be all encrypted if CryptoLockerEU Ransomware successfully infiltrates your PC. As it is written in the ransom note РАСШИФРОВАТЬ ФАЙЛЫ.txt (you might see ĐŔŃŘČÔĐÎÂŔŇÜ ÔŔÉËŰ.txt due to different character encoding) left for you, these files can be decrypted by paying 0.3 Bitcoin. Users are given 7 days to do that. Files are not automatically decrypted if a user makes a payment. A letter with a “virus ID” (it is provided in the ransom note) has to be sent to one of the provided email addresses (e.g. decryptme.files@mail.ru, efwerez2015@yandex.com, super.decryptme2016@yandex.com, or europol.eurofuck@yandex.com) to get the “private key + software.” CryptoLockerEU Ransomware uses a strong encryption algorithm RSA-2045, so it might be impossible to decrypt files without the special key. Of course, it does not mean that our researchers encourage you to go to pay a ransom. What they suggest that you do instead is to go to recover files from a backup. If you have not backed up your important files, your only hope is a free decryption tool – it might be developed by specialists working in the cybersecurity field one day. You should also try out all free data recovery tools. They might help you to get, at least, some files back.
You will not download a ransomware infection from some kind of website on the Internet because these threats are usually distributed using another dissemination method. Our research team has carried out research to find out more about the distribution of these infections. This research has revealed that ransomware infections are usually spread in spam emails. They are not installed on the computer immediately after a user opens a spam email. Instead, this happens when a user opens an attachment found in such an email. Of course, they are not told that a malicious application will be installed on their PCs if an attachment is opened. Actually, these malicious files are usually made to look harmless, for example, it might seem that an attachment is an important document. Nobody can guarantee that other distribution methods will not be used to spread these threats in the future. Therefore, our specialists highly recommend installing a tool for protecting the system 24/7. Make sure you still stay away from spam emails after installing a security application.
It is unclear where the malicious file of CryptoLockerEU Ransomware is located, and, unfortunately, it might not be enough to erase it, meaning that it might not be easy to remove this ransomware infection from the system. If you find it too hard to erase this computer infection manually or just cannot find the malicious process and file of this threat, you should use an automatic scanner, e.g. SpyHunter. This scanner will leave no traces of malware on the system.
Remove CryptoLockerEU Ransomware
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Del simultaneously and open the Task Manager.
- Click Processes.
- Check this list and kill suspicious processes.
- Close the Task Manager and open the Windows Explorer.
- Pay a visit to %LOCALAPPDATA%, %APPDATA%, %TEMP%, %USERPROFILE%\Downloads, and %USERPROFILE%\Desktop.
- Delete suspicious files you find.
- Delete the ransom note РАСШИФРОВАТЬ ФАЙЛЫ.txt (it might have a name ĐŔŃŘČÔĐÎÂŔŇÜ ÔŔÉËŰ.txt) left by the ransomware infection.
- Clear the Recycle bin.
In non-techie terms:
Ransomware infections are dangerous threats that encrypt users’ files. It is usually extremely difficult to get files back due to strong encryption algorithms used; however, it does not mean that you should do what ransom notes left by these infections tell you to do. Paying the required money is usually a really bad decision because you might get nothing from cyber criminals. Therefore, it is always a smarter idea to delete a file-encrypting computer infection and then try to decrypt files without an expensive key malware developers claim to have.