Remove “Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2” Ransomware (+File Recovery)

How to Remove “Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2” Ransomware?

If your files are “Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2,” you are in for trouble. GandCrab 5.2 is a destructive crypto virus. It sneaks into your system and corrupts everything. The parasite alters settings, modifies the registry, drops malicious files, and starts dangerous processes. This virus scans your system and detects the user-generated files. It is after your pictures, music, databases, archives, and documents. GandCrab 5.2 detects and encrypts your precious data. It puts your files under lock and key and drops a ransom note. A text file explains the situation you are in, as well as gives you instructions on how to proceed. The threat actors urge you to install Tor browser and to open a link that is provided in the ransom note. By following these instructions, you end up on a web page which contains more information on the payment. The hackers demand $1200 USD paid in either Bitcoin or DASH. They threaten to double the asked ransom if you don’t transfer the money within a specified time period. Do not swing into action, though! This simple psychological trick pushes you into impulsive and unwanted actions. Take a moment to consider the situation. You are dealing with criminals who are notorious for double-crossing their victims. The hackers promise a lot, but they don’t deliver. Do not become a sponsor of cyber criminals. Your best course of action is the immediate removal of the virus. As soon as the “Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2” message appears, take action. Find where the virus lurks and delete it upon detection!

How did I get infected with?

The “Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2” message appears by courtesy of ransomware. As for the virus, it sneaks into your system through deception. The parasite employs spam emails to reach a broad spectrum of potential victims. That’s right! Potential! The virus cannot hack your system remotely. It needs your (the user’s) help. GandCrab 5.2 lurks behind corrupted attachments and malicious links. It infects your system when you interact with these malicious elements. Do not give into naivety. No anti-virus can protect you if you toss caution to the wind. Only your vigilance is powerful enough to keep your device secure and virus-free. Even a little extra attention can spare you an avalanche of problems. Treat all unexpected messages as potential threats. Always verify their senders. If, for example, you receive an unexpected email from an organization, go to their official website. Compare the email addresses listed there to the questionable one. If they don’t match, delete the pretender. You can also enter the suspicious addresses into a search engine. If they were used for questionable business, someone might have complained.

Why is “Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2” dangerous?

GandCrab 5.2 is a nightmare. It sneaks into your system, locks your files, and starts demanding. The virus blackmails you. It demands an outrageous ransom for your own data. It promises a decryption tool, but you cannot trust these false promises. Practice shows that the hackers tend to ignore the victims once they get the money. There are instances when the victims received nonfunctional tools, and partly working decryption keys. You are in a bad situation. You can see the icons of your files, but everything is unusable. You cannot view, nor edit your pictures, databases, documents. Everything you save gets encrypted! The virus makes your device useless. You, of course, can still browse the Web, but that is limited. You cannot use your compromised PC for sensitive operations, such as online banking. Everything you do through the infected device might be spied upon. The ransomware is an advanced virus created by crafty criminals. These people target your wallet. Their virus is a weapon which might as well aim at your online privacy. Don’t test your luck! GandCrab 5.2 is a complete and utter menace. It has no place on your device. Remove this virus the first chance you get. Find where it lurks, and eliminate it upon detection!

“Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2” Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover “Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2” 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 “Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2” 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 “Encrypted by GandCrab 5.2” 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.