Do you know what GandCrab 5 LOADER is?
If you have been exposed to GandCrab Ransomware, there is a good chance that GandCrab 5 LOADER is responsible for the execution of this malicious file-encryptor. There is no specific loader, per se, but, as our researchers point out, clandestine malware loaders can be used for the distribution. Yes, we are using the plural form of the word “loader,” because several of them could be employed. If you continue reading this report, you will learn how to check your operating system for ransomware and loaders, how to delete infections, as well as how to protect your Windows operating system. If you are still not sure if you need to remove GandCrab 5 LOADER from your operating system, please continue reading.
So, what is a loader? That is a good place to start. A loader is a “vehicle” that malware distributors use to download and execute malicious threats. Loaders can also be used to update and delete them. A loader is a type of a Trojan (a clandestine threat that, in many cases, uses disguises), and it is either built to deliver one specific threat or it is built and shared with anyone interested. Although loaders are pretty basic and simple in their architecture, they do not carry out many malicious actions, which is why they often remain undetected. A few examples are Trojan.Quant Loader, Trojan.Smokeloader, and Trojan.Ascentor Loader. The last one has been linked to GandCrab 5 in the past, but our research team could not confirm it spreading the ransomware. It is possible that the creator of the ransomware has moved on to using a different loader, or that the loader executes malware only if a very specific target is attacked (e.g., the language and geo-location must match certain criteria).
It is known that GandCrab 5 Ransomware uses various distribution techniques to spread. For example, users might discover that they need to remove this ransomware after it exploits malicious software bundles, software crack codes, spam email, remote access channels, exploits (Apache Tomcat, Struts RIG, Magnitude, or Grandsoft), as well as Jboss and WebLogic server vulnerabilities. So, if you need to delete the ransomware from your operating system, that does not necessarily mean that you also need to have any specific GandCrab 5 LOADER removed too. Some malware researchers also recognize spam email attachments as loaders. While it is very likely that you have executed the threat by opening a malicious file attached to a spam email, that does not mean that you are dealing with a “loader” per se. That being said, if you can identify a malicious file that launched the ransomware, you should remove it ASAP.
Once GandCrab 5 Ransomware slithers in, it can encrypt files and demand a ransom of 800/1,600 USD in return for an alleged decryptor. Unfortunately, once files are encrypted, nothing can be done, and paying the ransom is definitely the wrong move. You can find a full description and removal guide for the malicious infection on this website, and when it comes to the removal of GandCrab 5 LOADER, we cannot provide you with any concrete information. Since it appears that the ransomware has been linked to the Trojan.Ascentor Loader most recently, we give you a guide that shows how to delete it from the Windows operating system manually. Without a doubt, in such a situation, employing a reliable anti-malware tool is the best option you have. It will automatically delete GandCrab 5 LOADER (if one exists) and the ransomware itself, and it will also reinstate full protection against malware.
Remove Trojan.Ascentor Loader
- Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete and click Start Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab and look for malicious processes.
- If you find a suspicious process, right-click it and select Open file location. Our research has revealed the location of the loader to be %ALLUSERSPROFILE%.
- Once you determine the malicious file, End the process and Delete the file (the name is likely to include 5 random characters).
- Launch RUN by tapping Win+R and enter regedit.exe into the box.
- In Registry Editor, move to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- Delete the {random name} value that points to the malicious .exe file in step 4.
- Empty Recycle Bin and quickly perform a full system scan to check if your system is clean.
In non-techie terms:
If you believe that GandCrab 5 LOADER is responsible for downloading and executing a malicious file-encrypting threat, you want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, at this point, it is impossible to say what kind of loader could be used for the task. It is believed that Trojan.Quant Loader, Trojan.Smokeloader, or Trojan.Ascentor could have been employed in the past. Since the Ascentor is the most likely culprit, we have created a guide that shows how to eliminate it. Of course, do not forget that once you delete GandCrab 5 LOADER, you also need to remove the malicious ransomware, which we recommend doing with the help of a legitimate anti-malware program capable of securing the operating system too.