What is Architek Ransomware
Architek is a ransomware program that strikes important data by locking access to it. The virus, therefore, asks its victims to pay the so-called ransom to get unique decryption software and lift the assigned blockage. Infected users will also see their files changed with the .architek extension. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.architek and reset its original icon. The ransomware also creates a text note called How to decrypt files.txt to explain decryption instructions.
Your personal identifier: -
All files on - network have been encrypted due to insufficient security.
The only way to quickly and reliably regain access to your files is to contact us.
The price depends on how fast you write to us.
In other cases, you risk losing your time and access to data. Usually time is much more valuable than money.
In addition to encryption, we downloaded data from your network, which, if we do not negotiate, could fall into the hands of third parties and cause damage to your reputation.
FAQ
Q: How to contact us
A: * Download Tor Browser - hxxps://www.torproject.org/
* Open link in Tor Browser hxxp://eghv5cpdsmuj5e6tpyjk5icgq642hqubildf6yrfnqlq3rmsqk2zanid.onion/contact
* Follow the instructions on the website.
Q: What guarantees?
A: Before paying, we can decrypt several of your test files. Files should not contain valuable information.
Q: Can I decrypt my data for free or through intermediaries?
A: Use third party programs and intermediaries at your own risk. Third party software may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price or you can become a victim of a scam.The note says users’ network has been encrypted due to poor security. In order to return access to their files, victims should contact developers. Even though there is no estimated price written by the extortionists, it is mentioned the price of decryption depends on how fast victims contact through the given TOR link. In case you refuse to follow the listed steps, cybercriminals threaten to share your data with third parties potentially interested in it. As a guarantee that they are able to decrypt your data, extortionists offer to send a couple of files. They will decrypt them for free and so-prove that they can be trusted. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with cybercriminals as they are prone to fool their victims and not send any decryption tools regardless. Despite this, it might be impossible to decrypt the entire data completely without the help of cybercriminals. This is because they use secure cryptographic algorithms to cipher the data. It is also dependant on whether Architek used OFFLINE or ONLINE keys during encryption. The key is usually your ID. If you see it ending with t1, then it is an offline key allowing users to decrypt files fully or some part of them. This and more depends on individual cases per victim. So far, the best way to recover your data without paying the ransom is via backup copies. If you have them available on external storage or cloud services, you can easily copy them back to your PC after deleting the virus. Note that getting rid of Architek Ransomware must be the primary step before trying to restore your data. We advise you to follow our guide below and learn all that is necessary to remove the virus and obtain your data.
How Architek Ransomware infected your computer
Ransomware programs like Architek are usually spread using phishing and click-bait methods. The application of such is clearly evident in e-mail spam letters that are distributed over the web. While being disguised as something genuinely legal, these letters try to bait users into opening malicious attachments. The range of attachments included in such letters is usually world-famous files formats like Word, Excel, PDF, EXE, Archive, or JavaScript. Their presence inside of such letters almost certainly means there is an infection lurking within. Some files like Word are not enough to be just opened – users still have a chance to avoid the infection by not clicking on “Enable Editing”. Many Microsoft Office apps have that preventative feature to hold infections at bay before users unleash them themselves. Opening files received from unknown or fake entities might lead to a lot of risks correlated with malware. For this reason, it is your responsibility to be more careful and less naive when it comes to browsing or opening content. In addition to this, ransomware attacks can also be spread through untrustworthy download channels or Peer-to-Peer sharing networks that host pirated, cracked, or simply freeware programs. It is also advised to not trust various pages claiming your PC to be at risk of infection, shut down, or something else. This is likely to be another trick meant to inject malware into your PC. To learn more about robust protection ways against such threats in the future, follow our tutorial below.
- Download Architek Ransomware Removal Tool
- Get decryption tool for .architek files
- Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
- Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
- Restore files with Shadow Explorer
- How to protect from threats like Architek Ransomware
Download Removal Tool
To remove Architek Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Architek Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove Architek Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Architek Ransomware. The trial version of Spyhunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Architek Ransomware files:
How to decrypt files.txt
{randomname}.exe
Architek Ransomware registry keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore .architek files
Use automated decryptors
Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor
Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .architek files. Download it here:
There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.
Dr.Web Rescue Pack
Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .architek files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.
If you are infected with Architek Ransomware and removed from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:
Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .architek files
- Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Click Recover Data button.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
- Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
- Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.
Using Windows Previous Versions option:
- Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
- Select Previous Versions tab.
- Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
- To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
- In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.
Using Shadow Explorer:
- Download Shadow Explorer program.
- Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
- Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
- Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
- In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.
If you are using Dropbox:
- Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
- Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
- Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.
How to protect computer from viruses, like Architek Ransomware, in future
1. Get special anti-ransomware software
Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware
Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.
2. Back up your files
As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Architek Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.
3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox
Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.
