How to Remove the CA$HOUT Ransomware Virus and Restore Your PC

Manual Removal Guide
Recover CA$HOUT Ransomware Files
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How Does CA$HOUT Ransomware Infiltrate the System?

The limited number of CA$HOUT Ransomware samples does not indicate the main infection strategy. We suspect that the hackers are going to use the most methods to spread the virus.

One of them involves the use of spam email messages. The hackers use templates that resemble real companies or government institutions. The virus payload is either attached directly to the emails or linked in the body contents.

The discovered samples so far show that CA$HOUT virus is delivered in a single binary file. This makes it very easy for criminals to host it on hacker-controlled sites or malicious ad networks. Infected software installers and office documents are another spread possibility.

Direct hacker attacks can also be considered in a future campaign.

Related: Oops Virus, Gomme Virus Ransomware

Infection Flow of CA$HOUT Ransomware

CA$HOUT Ransomware is a newly discovered computer virus of unknown origin that encrypts valuable data, it can be removed by reading our removal guide.

In an ongoing attack wave security researchers detected a new signature belonging to an unknown computer virus. The CA$HOUT Ransomware has been identified as a new threat that does not contain any code from the famous malware families. This means that it is an independent creation of its developers. The identity of the criminals behind the CA$HOUT virus is still not known and the security researchers are not sure if it is being operated by a single individual or a hacker collective.

At the moment the captured malware samples of the CA$HOUT Ransomware do not appear to be final. The computer virus at the moment only contains the encryption module that is programmed to follow the usual behavior – valuable system and user files are encrypted and a ransomware extension is used to mark the affected data. At the moment the CA$HOUT ransomware does not appear to use one. We suspect that future versions of it are going to employ one.

The CA$HOUT virus infection automatically launches this module. After it has processed the victim data based on a predefined list of target file type extensions it employs a lockscreen instance. It effectively prevents the user from interacting with the computer until the ransomware is completely removed. It is crafted in an application frame that contains the following message:

YOUR COMPUTER IS LOCKED
To get a key to decrypt all files on your computer you have to pay $100
Possible kinds of payment
Enter Key: [***] button [Pay] Your Mail adress: [***] Your Key: [***] button [Copy] CA$HOUT Ransomware

From the shown information we see that the hackers extort the victims for the sum of 100 US Dollars. The collected samples so far do not show the possible payments method (nor do they work), however we suspect that the criminals are going to use digital currencies (such as Bitcoin) as they remain anonymous and secure.

We expect future versions of CA$HOUT Ransomware to include a working encryption engine and other modules.

Remove CA$HOUT Ransomware and Restore Data

WARNING! Manual removal of CA$HOUT Ransomware 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.

 
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CA$HOUT Ransomware – 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 bellow 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 CA$HOUT Ransomware Files

WARNING! All files and objects associated with CA$HOUT Ransomware 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

Preventive Security Measures