An infection with the dangerous GandCrab V4.1 virus leads to serious security issues. Victims can restore and protect their computers by following our complete removal guide.
Manual Removal Guide
Recover GandCrab V4.1- Files
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Distribution of GandCrab V4.1 Virus
GandCrab V4.1 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.
One of the easiest ways for the criminals to spread the payload of GandCrab V4.1 ransomware is by attaching it to email messages that are later released in active attack campaigns. The method allows hackers to send the virus to large lists of potential victims. The attachments to malicious email spam messages usually have Word documents or other types of files which users open without hesitation. Once opened on a target host these compromised files trigger the ransomware payload and infect the device with GandCrab V4.1 crypto virus. Other infection tactic related to emails is hyperlink inserted in the content of the messages. The links are usually labeled as leading to a familiar website or a file of user interest.
Computer criminals behind this new ransomware can be using malicious sites or download portals to distribute malware of different kinds, including GandCrab V4.1 virus. A popular option is the use of infected documents which may be of different types ‒ spreadsheets, rich text documents, presentations and databases. They are modified to initiate the virus once the built-in scripts are run. Usually when the files are opened a notification will ask the users to run the macros (scripts). If this is done the infection follows.
The hacker-controlled sites are specialist portals that have been created either manually or automatically by the criminals behind GandCrab V4.1 virus. They can either directly distribute the threat by initiating various scripts or automated operations or link to such instances. Redirects are usually caused by email interaction, ad networks or other browsing activity. However one of the main sources is the availability of browser hijackers. They are malicious add-ons made for the most popular web browsers ‒ Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera, Microsoft Edge and Safari. Once installed they not only infect the users with the malware, but also redirect the victims to a hacker-controlled site. Depending on the configuration the browser hijackers can also steal sensitive information such as any stored passwords, account credentials, history, bookmarks, form data and settings.
At the moment the ongoing attack campaigns rely mainly on spreading executable files. They are either infected software installers or macro-infested documents, in several of the cases they can be also pirate content that has been advertised on the iliegal pirate channels.
Some of the files are distributed with the name Jeremy Witt’s Dental Records.exe — this shows that the hackers are attempting to fool the users into interacting with a file spoofing as medical records.
Impact of GandCrab V4.1 Ransomware Virus
The GandCrab V4.1 ransomware attempts to use well-known exploits that are compatible with vulnerabilities that are often found on end user computers. Following the succesful infections the new version of the GandCrab virus first downloads and installs a series of components:
- A randomly-named executable file with Access permissions.
- A krab-decrypt.txt with both Access and Write permissions.
- Many randomly-named file bearing the .locked extension with both Access and Write permissions. They are placed in most of the commonly used folders by the users.
The next step in the infection process is related to file changes in the %SystemDrive% folder. Inside them .lock files are generated which are probably related to the ransomware mechanism. It is possible that they may be decryption keys or placeholder files containing the values used for the cipher calculation operations.
The security analysis reveals that the malicious engine also removes the identified Shadow Volume Copies and System Restore Data. This is done in order to make it more difficult to recover the affected files. The users will need to use a quality data recovery software, refer to our instructions for more information.
The GandCrab V4.1 ransomware is capable of modifying the operating system, some examples are the following actions:
- Service Manipulation — The ransomware engine can stop certain operating system services such as Defender.
- Windows Registry Modification — GandCrab can modify the Windows Registry entries belonging to both user-installed applications and operating system components. This can result in the inability to access certain functions, also overall system performance will drop.
- Trojan Infection — In certain cases the ransomware can be programmed into allowing access to the infected hosts via a secure hacker-controlled server connection. It is used to spy on the victims, overtake control of the machines and also deploy additional threats.
Once all components have executed correctly the GandCrab V4.1 virus engine will engage the ransomware component. Apart from other similar threats and some of the previous versions use the Salsa20 cipher. Like other similar threats it uses a built-in list of target file data:
- Databases
- Images
- Music
- Videos
- Documents
- Archives
- Backups
Like all other generic ransomware it appends the .krab extension to the victim files. The associated ransomware note is created in a text file containing the following messsage:
–= GANDCRAB V4.1 =—
Attention!
All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted and have the extension: .KRAB
The only method of recovering files is to purchase a unique private key. Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files.
The server with your key is in a closed network TOR. You can get there by the following ways:
—————————————————————————————-
| 0. Download Tor browser – https://www.torproject.org/
| 1. Install Tor browser
| 2. Open Tor Browser
| 3. Open link in TOR browser: ***
| 4. Follow the instructions on this page
—————————————————————————————-
On our page you will see instructions on payment and get the opportunity to decrypt 1 file for free.
ATTENTION!
IN ORDER TO PREVENT DATA DAMAGE:
* DO NOT MODIFY ENCRYPTED FILES
* DO NOT CHANGE DATA BELOW
—BEGIN GANDCRAB KEY—
lAQAADcGuK2O86SjorV5S***2252_chars***3xoPSX/TrEnwTiQ76HdztGYuXZ4KO7rogc=
—END GANDCRAB KEY—
—BEGIN PC DATA—
wfKD6iudumBkmpL8IRr4U7***76_chars***mMngioqtOiJtTit2DjRIuBtNYA==
—END PC DATA—
Remove GandCrab V4.1 Virus and Restore PC
Please note that paying the requested ransom fee to cyber criminals does not really solve your problem with GandCrab V4.1 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 V4.1 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 Anti-Malware ToolGandCrab V4.1 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 GandCrab V4.1- Files
WARNING! All files and objects associated with GandCrab V4.1 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.
SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
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
