Remove CryptoWall 4.0 (Virus Removal Tutorial)

CryptoWall 4.0 virus: the main things you need to know

Once CryptoWall 4.0 virus secretly infects a computer, it searches for the valuable information and then locks it out using an elaborate AES algorithm. After the encryption is done, the malware drops a message on user’ desktop declaring of the locked files. The creators of this ransomware provide you with seemingly the only option to recover the data. They require you to pay significant ransom in exchange for the information. However, you shouldn’t behave according to their expectations. This article will help you find out possible ways to remove CryptoWall 4.0 virus from your computer.

The original version, CryptoWall, walked into the spotlight more than two years ago after hijacking millions of users’ computers. Both individuals and corporations in the US, Canada, some European countries found themselves unable to access their private data due to the encryption. Moreover, it has been observed that CryptoWall 4.0 tended to escape certain countries, such as Eastern European states, Russia, and the countries of Central Asia. The main power of attack was concentrated on the US and Canada. France, the UK, Japan were secondary victims. Therefore, the cyber criminals have managed to coax out millions of pounds from their victims. Certainly, if your computer has been infected by this malware, do not rush to pay the ransom. Even if you remit the payment, there are no guarantees that the encrypted files will be returned to you. In this case, you must remove CryptoWall 4.0 ransomware from your computer. For that you can use Reimage.

What are the improvements of CryptoWall 4.0?

Comparing CryptoWall 4.0 malware to the older ones, it has been noticed that it mostly spreads via infected emails with fake invoice or traffic alerts. Beware of these attachments: bot.exe internal_31572.scr, internal_A8392J-DNGE82-378251-238375.scr, ACH_Import_Information-UADH-8JAF-HASU-82GJ.scr. Such infected attachments bear a malicious code which activates the virus. After the malware starts its menacing mission, it scans for files formatted as docx, .pdf, .txt, .img, .gif, .mp3, .mp4, .flv. Then, the virus successfully encrypts the files. Here is the spot where cyber criminals introduced an update. Besides encrypting the files bearing the mentioned formats, CryptoWall 4.0 is able to rename the encrypted files. Therefore, it becomes quite challenging to find encrypted files. You should also keep in mind that it leaves HELP_YOUR_FILES.TXT, HELP_YOUR_FILES.PNG files on your system. So IT experts granted an alternative title to the ransomware — HELP_YOUR_FILES virus. Moreover, due to the success of previous malware versions, cyber criminals also raised the amount of required ransom. Initially, it required 1 Bitcoin which evens to £325, now the virus places the time limit and requires to pay £497. In case the victim fails to make the transaction within 96 hours, the ransom levels up to £994.

Furthermore, it has been noticed that 68% of CryptoWall 4.0 ransomware infections spread via phishing emails while a significant part of 30,7% infections spread via exploit kits. They are so called ‘fileless infections’ which take different shape: they might be minor invisible malicious files which inject ransomware into your system or they might be sly trojans. In this particular case, you’ll need to have a powerful anti-spyware program which can detect the malware. It might ease CryptoWall 4.0 removal as well. So finally, let us move on the final and the most important part where we will tell how to get rid of the malware.

CryptoWall 4.0 removal:

CryptoWall 4.0 virus has rightfully claimed the title of one the most dangerous ransomware. Due to its complexity and aggressive behaviour, you might find significant difficulties deleting the ransomware without additional help. However, what you can do is to delete the above mentioned HELP_YOUR_FILES.TXT file. Certainly, it won’t remove CryptoWall 4.0 itself. In order to do this, you need to install a reputable anti-spyware program. After you succeed in eliminating the virus, run the anti-virus and anti-spyware once again. You should also proof check whether it was deleted by following the instructions developed by cyber security specialists. Finally, remember to be more careful while opening suspicious emails and back up regularly the valuable personal data.

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