An infection with the dangerous GandCrab 5.0.8 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 5.0.8 Ransomware Virus
GandCrab 5.0.8 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 5.0.8 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.
A main method used by the malicious actor behind GandCrab 5.0.8 is 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 5.0.8 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 5.0.8 ransomware virus infection in the end.
Impact of GandCrab 5.0.8 Ransomware Virus
The GandCrab 5.0.8 ransomware is a typical example of this malware family. The security analysis shows that it exhibits the classic infection patterns attributed to other related samples as well.
Like previous samples the infections begin with the launch of two processes — a security bypass and a data hijack procedure. They are used to check if a security software or service that can block the virus infection is active. Applications that can be disabled or entirely removed can include anti-virus engines, firewalls, sandbox and debug environments. Advanced GandCrab strains can additionally be programmed to remove themselves if this step fails, this is done so in order to prevent the users from knowing that an infection was attempting to get onto their computers.
The information gathering module is programmed to identify and hijack data from all aras of the infected machines: hard disk contents, memory, operating system values and even the installed applications data. We have confirmed through a security report that the GandCrab 5.0.8 ransomware can access the records of the installed web browsers. Information about the victim users can be harvested by the engine, such include their name, address, phone number, physical location and even stored username and password combinations. The collected information can be used for identity theft, blackmail and financial abuse.
When these two tasks have finished running the ransomware engine will be able to proceed with further changes on the operating system. Some of them include the following:
- Apps Access — The malware engine has the ability to hook up to applications and services which allows the GandCrab virus to read state information, user input and observe user interaction.
- Windows Registry Modifications — If the GandCrab 5.0.8 ransomware modifies the contents of the Windows Registry various consequences will follow. Changes to strings used by the operating system can make certain services unusable or lead to serious performance issues. Registry values attributed to third-party installed software can make them run improperly or not to start at all.
- Trojan Connection — The analysis shows that the ransomware will connect to a hacker-controlled server via a TOR hidden service. This is done via the built-in Trojan client. The default behavior is to report the infection by uploading the unique infection ID and the harvested information to the hackers behind it. However if configured it can be used to take over control of the machines, spy on the victims and also steal user data before it is encrypted.
One of the most dangerous effects of this ransomware family is that it can identify and delete system data which make recovery much more difficult. Examples include Shadow Volume Copies, System Restore Points and Backups.
The 5.0.8 GandCrab malware samples are very dangerous as they can be customized to deploy other threats like browser hijackers and cryptocurrency miners.
When all modules have finished running according to the configuration issued by the hacker operators the ransomware will be started. Following the GandCrab infection scheme it will use a built-in list of target file type extensions. An example list will target the following user data:
- Backups
- Documents
- Archives
- Music
- Photos
- Videos
GandCrab 5.0.8 will add a random 7-letter extension and leave a ransom note with payment instructions both in text files and the desktop wallpaper.
The processed files will receive a randomly generated 6-character extension. The ransomware note will be created in multiple text files and also designate itself as the desktop wallpaper.
Remove GandCrab 5.0.8 Ransomware Virus and Restore PC
Please note that paying the requested ransom fee to cyber criminals does not really solve your problem with GandCrab 5.0.8 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 5.0.8 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 5.0.8 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
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– 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 5.0.8 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
