Remove Charck Virus Ransomware (+File Recovery)

How to Remove Charck Ransomware?

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

———————————————- ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED ———————————————–

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files documents, photos, databases and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees do we give to you?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information
Don’t try to use third-party decrypt tools because it will destroy your files.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours.
—————————————————————————————————————————
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
blower@india.com
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
blower@firemail.cc
Your personal ID:
[redacted 43 alphanumeric chars]

Charck is the latest variant of the STOP ransomware. Users have come to calling it that, because of the extension you get stuck with, once it strikes. Let’s elaborate. After the tool infiltrates your system, its programming kicks in, and it locks your files. It uses encryption algorithms to take your files hostage. Documents, archives, music, videos, pictures. Everything goes under lock-down. The infection adds the ‘.chark’ extension at the end of each one, to solidify its grip. A picture called ‘yes.jpg’ turns into ‘yes.jpg.chark.’ After the extension’s in place, that’s it. Your files become inaccessible. You can try to rename or move them, but it’s futile. The ransomware has control of them. The only way to change that, is to pay a ransom for their release. The infection makes that clear, in the ransom note, it leaves you. It’s a text file, called ‘_readme.txt.‘ It explains your predicament, and offers you a way out. And, it’s compliance. The ransomware demands you follow its instructions, if you wish to free your files from it. It claims that if you fulfill its list of requirements, you’ll regain control of your data. And, that’s all you have to go on. All, you get, is the word of cyber criminals. People, who take your data hostage, and extort you for money. Do you think they’ll keep their word? Chances are, they won’t. You’re dealing with untrustworthy individuals, with malicious intentions. These people lust for your money. They don’t care if you decrypt your data. Don’t contact them. Don’t pay the ransom. Don’t reach out in any way. Do NOT comply! Compliance won’t get you anything but regret.

How did I get infected with?

The Charck infection invades via trickery and finesse. The tool uses the old but gold means of infiltration. That includes, the usual suspects. It hides behind freeware, fake updates, corrupted sites, links, or torrents. And, of course, it uses spam emails. You get sent an email that appears legitimate. One that seems to come from a well-known company, like Amazon. And, when you open it, it reads that you must click a link. Or, download an attachment. Supposedly, to verify information, or confirm an order. Whatever the email claims, consider it a lie, and neither click nor download anything. If you do, you’ll regret it. Remember that infections prey on your carelessness. The Charck ransomware does, too. It needs you to throw caution to the wind, and rely on luck. To rush, and skip doing due diligence. To leave your fate to chance. Don’t oblige. Don’t choose carelessness over caution. Take the time to be extra vigilant. And, keep in mind that even a little extra attention goes a long way. Caution can save you a ton of troubles. Carelessness has the opposite outcome.

Why is Charck dangerous?

The note, Charck leaves you, is rather standard. It opens with “Don’t worry, you can return all your files!” Then, continues to explain your situation, and offer a way out. And, it gives you only one way out of your predicament. “The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.” You get a To purchase the key, you have to pay a ransom in Bitcoin. And, contact the extortionists via email. After that, they promise to send you the key, you need. The exact amount isn’t mentioned. But Bitcoins re expensive. Their price fluctuates constantly, and 1 Bitcoin can be anywhere from 500 to 1000 US Dollars. Or, more! And, you can get stuck with a ransom demand of 5, 20 or even more Bitcoins. To incentivize you into payment, the note says you can have a discount, if you hurry. You get 50% off, “if you contact us first 72 hours.” Despite all the demands and promises, you get zero guarantees. You rest on the word of cyber extortionists. Strangers, who took your files hostage, and care only for monetary gain. Give them nothing! Don’t even contact them. Think about your options. If you choose to pay, what then? You wait to receive the decryption key. But what if you don’t get it? Or, get the wrong one? And, even if they do send the proper one, what then? You’re still not in the clear. The key, you pay for, removes the encryption. The infection that took your files hostage, remains. It can strike again, and get you back to square one. Don’t waste your energy, time, or money, dealing with cyber kidnappers. Compliance is futile.

Charck Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Charck 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 Charck 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 Charck 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.