Kraken Ransomware File Virus Removal

How to Remove Kraken Ransomware?

Readers recently started to report the following message being displayed when they boot their computer:

Dear { Your Name }
There is suspicious activity on your bank account. “
(Scenario 1)
“Please visit the following web link to verify your information: “
{ malicious URL }
(Scenario 2)
“For more information on your transaction history, please view the attachment on this e-mail.

Kraken is the name of a mythological deep-sea monster. In recent years, the creature has even made appearances in more than a few films. But, if you’re reading this article, it’s not because you want to brush up on your knowledge, concerning mythology. It’s because you’re dealing with a ransomware infection. Yes, one of the newest cyber plagues, of the ransomware variety, bears the Kraken name. It’s rather appropriate, considering it wreaks havoc on your PC. The program is malicious and hazardous. It’s a typical representative of the ransomware family. It invades your system under the radar, and completely takes over. The infection encrypts every bit of data, you keep on your computer. Then, demands ransom for its release. Supposedly, if you comply and pay up, you’ll get the decryption key you need. When you apply it, you regain control of your data. It sounds pretty simple, right? Well, wrong. You can get double-crossed in a myriad of different ways. There are countless scenarios, where you get swindled. So, here’s what experts advise. Don’t play the game, the ransomware has set up. Don’t participate in any way, because if you, you WILL lose. Understand, the odds are against you. Whichever way you look at it, you lose. You can keep the damages to minimum by losing only your data. Or, you can worsen your predicament with compliant participation. And, lose your privacy, on top of your data. Minimize the risks! Forsake your files. Keep your private life private by NOT following extortionists’ demands.

How did I get infected with?

Kraken didn’t appear out of the blue. As much as you may find it hard to believe, you allowed it in. You gave the green light to its install. Chances are, at the time you did, you had no idea what you were doing. And, you have your carelessness to blame. It may sound confusing now, but let’s elaborate. Ransomware use the usual antics to gain entry to your system. Since they can access it only after you permit their admission, they turn to trickery. The tool has a myriad of ways with which to seek your approval on their entry. For example, they can hide behind freeware. If you’re not vigilant enough during its install, you end up with more than what you bargained for. That’s why it’s imperative to always read the terms and conditions. That extra time you spend doing due diligence can save you a ton of headaches and troubles. Don’t throw caution to the wind, and rely on luck. That’s dreadful strategy, you’ll later regret. Instead of giving into distraction, naivety, and haste, go the opposite route. Be thorough and vigilant. Carelessness tends to lead to infections, while caution helps you avoid them. Decide which path, you’d rather take, and follow it.

Why is Kraken dangerous?

After Kraken sneaks into your system, it takes over. The program encrypts every file you have. When it’s done, you’ll find your data with an added ‘.kraken’ extension at the end. That renders them inaccessible. No matter how many times you rename or move them, they’re unreachable. The ransomware, of course, offers a solution to the problem, it created. It leaves a “_help_your_files.html” file on your Desktop. You can also find it in every folder, affected by the infection. The file contains information on your predicament and how to get out of it. In a nutshell, pay up a sum in Bitcoin, and we’ll give you a decryption key. That key can free your files of the Kraken keep. If you don’t pay up, you lose your data. Pictures, music, documents, videos, everything falls into oblivion. The tool backs you into a corner, and hopes you’ll comply out of fear. After all, no one wants to lose their files. But losing data is a much better prospect than the other one, looming over you. Say, you decide to comply. You contact the cyber kidnappers, and pay the requested sum. Then what? You’re waiting for extortionists to keep their word. Do you think these people will do that? Don’t fool yourself. You have zero guarantees, that they will send you the decryption key, they promised. Or, that it will work. And, even if it did, what if the infection strikes again an hour later? Or a minute? A day? A week? Because it can! Kraken’s programming can kick in any given moment after decryption. Nothing stops the tool from taking over again. Then, what? You’re back to square one. Only this time, you have less money, and your private life is no longer private. Don’t make that mistake. Don’t expose your personal and financial details to these extortionists. Steer clear of the payment button. It’s better to lose your files than your privacy. It’s not pleasant, and it’s not desirable, but it’s the better alternative. Discard your data for the sake of your security.

Kraken Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Kraken Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with Kraken encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate Kraken encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.