An infection with the dangerous GandCrab 5.0.3 ransomware virus leads to serious security issues. With our removal guide, victims can try to restore and protect their computers.
Manual Removal Guide
Files Recovery Approaches
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Distribution of GandCrab 5.0.3 Ransomware Virus
GandCrab 5.0.3 virus is a new data locker ransomware that has been released in attack campaigns against computer users worldwide. The threat could be utilizing widely used tactics of distribution to infect computer systems.
The GandCrab 5.0.3 is a newly discovered strain of the malware family. It has been detected in a limited test release which probably signals that forthcoming infections are going to target specific countries. So far the acquired samples have been detected in a limited test run indicating the the real attacks might use different tactics.
Previous versions of the GandCrab ransomware family were found to make abuse systems by leveraging the CVE-2018-8120 vulnerability. This is a critical issue found in both desktop and server versions of the Windows operating system allowing hackers to run arbitrary code (the virus code) in kernel mode. The consequences of this is that the installed code will have complete access to the compromised system.
Other methods used by the malicious actor behind GandCrab 5.0.3 include the coordination of SPAM email messages — they are used to spread the threats by sending out messages that pose as legitimate notifications sent by popular Internet portals or services that the targets may use. The virus files can be either directly attached or linked in the body. They can also be uploaded to fake download sites which are designed to appear like any of the popular Internet portals or vendor download sites. The malicious actors may use similar sounding domain names, certificates and hijacked design and contents to coerce the victims into thinking that they are accessing the legitimate address.
Another way that the threat may spread is through infected payloads — the use of various files that are infected with virus code. A popular example is the malicious document which can take any form: presentations, rich text files, spreadsheets and databases. Once they are opened by the victims a notification message will pop-up asking the target users to enable the built-in scripts. If this is done the virus infection will follow. The other popular technique is the inclusion of the code in application installers. They are malicious copies of legitimate setup files of popular end user programs that have been modified with the GandCrab 5.0.3 ransomware code.
Ransomware files are also popularly spread by fake user profiles — they can post to community forums or social media accounts. The criminals can utilize both fake or stolen identities to increase the number of infected user.
In certain cases the criminals may also be distributed via malicious browser plugins — additions to the most popular web browsers that are advertised as useful. The plugins are uploaded to the official repositories and often make use of fake or hijacked user reviews and developer credentials. Once they are installed by the users they will execute their built-in instructions that in many cases leads to the GandCrab 5.0.3 ransomware virus infection in the end.
Impact of GandCrab 5.0.3 Ransomware Virus
The GandCrab 5.0.3 ransomware infection is modeled after the previous strains of this malware family. According to the available reports it will begin the infection by first out for any security applications that can block its correct execution. This is done by analyzing the system and searching for signatures of anti-virus engines, debug environments and virtual machine hosts. Whenever they are detected their associated real-time engines will be shut down or entirely deleted from the computers.
This step is executed together with the information gathering module which seeks to find strings that can be useful to the hackers. The first group of data that is collected by the GandCrab 5.0.3 virus engine can expose the identity of the victims. This is done by searching all hard drive contents, applications and browsers for data such as their name, phone number, interests, location and any stored passwords. The other category of sensitive information is used to generate the unique machine infection ID by making a report of the installed hardware components, user settings and certain OS conditions.
When these two actions have completed execution the main engine will have complete access to the target system. It will be able to create processes with administrative privileges and hook up to existing ones as well — both application and operating system services.
A distinct consequence of GandCrab 5.0.3 virus infection is the modification of the Windows Registry. Strings related to the operating system can cause severe performance issues and the inability to access certain services. Changes to user installed applications can lead to unexpected behavior.
A typical GandCrab ransomware infection will also manipulate the system into installing the main engine as a persistent threat. The virus will be launched automatically when the computer is started and it can block the normal startup routine of both operating system services and user-installed applications.
To make recovery more difficult GandCrab 5.0.3 may delete valuable data such as System Restore Points, App Backups and Shadow Volume Copies.
One of the most dangerous consequences of the virus infiltration is its ability to deploy a Trojan module. It will establish a secure connection to a hacker-controlled server which allows the malicious operators to spy on the users and take over control of their machines at any given time. This also means that they can hijack the user data both before and after the actual encrypting engine is executed.
When all components have completed execution the associated GandCrab 5.0.4 ransomware module will be started. Like previous versions it will use a list of built-in file type extensions that are targeted. An example list will target the following:
- Archives
- Backups
- Databases
- Images
- Videos
- Music
Previous versions of the GandCrab 5 ransomware are known to process the following extensions:
1st, .602, .7z, .7-zip, .abw, .act, .adoc, .aim, .ans, .apkg, .apt, .arj, .asc, .asc, .ascii, .ase, .aty, .awp, .awt, .aww, .cab, .doc, .docb, .docx, .dotm, .gzip, .iso, .lzh, .lzma, .pot, .potm, .potx, .ppam, .pps, .ppsm, .ppsx, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .rar, .sldm, .sldx, .tar, .vbo, .vdi, .vmdk, .vmem, .vmx, .xla, .xlam, .xll, .xlm, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .xlw, .xps, .z, .zip
All victim files will be renamed with a randomly-named 5-character extension. Like previous threats it will also craft an appropriate ransomware note following the template: XXXXXXXX-Decrypt.txt (html).
Remove GandCrab 5.0.3 Ransomware Virus and Restore PC
Please note that paying the requested ransom fee to cyber criminals does not really solve your problem with GandCrab 5.0.3 crypto virus. In fact, you only encourage hackers to continue spreading ransomware of this kind. Instead, you must remove the threat immediately, and only then look for optional ways to recover your data.
WARNING! Manual removal of GandCrab 5.0.3 ransomware virus requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removing important data accidentally can lead to permanent system damage. If you don’t feel comfortable with manual instructions, download a powerful anti-malware tool that will scan your system for malware and clean it safely for you.
DOWNLOAD SpyHunter Anti-Malware ToolGandCrab 5.0.3 Ransomware Virus – Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps below are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the WIN Key + R
2. A Run window will appear. In it, write msconfig and then press Enter
3. A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named Boot
4. Mark Safe Boot option and then go to Network under it to tick it too
5. Apply -> OK
Show Hidden Files
Some ransomware threats are designed to hide their malicious files in the Windows so all files stored on the system should be visible.
1. Open My Computer/This PC
2. Windows 7
- – Click on Organize button
– Select Folder and search options
– Select the View tab
– Go under Hidden files and folders and mark Show hidden files and folders option
3. Windows 8/ 10
- – Open View tab
– Mark Hidden items option
4. Click Apply and then OK button
Enter Windows Task Manager and Stop Malicious Processes
1. Hit the following key combination: CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
2. Get over to Processes
3. When you find suspicious process right click on it and select Open File Location
4. Go back to Task Manager and end the malicious process. Right click on it again and choose End Process
5. Next, you should go folder where the malicious file is located and delete it
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit and hit Enter
3. Type the CTRL+ F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4. In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
Recover .id.ransomed@india(.)com Files
WARNING! All files and objects associated with GandCrab 5.0.3 ransomware virus should be removed from the infected PC before any data recovery attempts. Otherwise the virus may encrypt restored files. Furthermore, a backup of all encrypted files stored on external media is highly recommendable.
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1. Use present backups
2. Use professional data recovery software
Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery – a specialist tool that can restore partitions, data, documents, photos, and 300 more file types lost during various types of incidents and corruption.
3. Using System Restore Point
- – Hit WIN Key
– Select “Open System Restore” and follow the steps
4. Restore your personal files using File History
- – Hit WIN Key
– Type restore your files in the search box
– Select Restore your files with File History
– Choose a folder or type the name of the file in the search bar
– Hit the “Restore” button
