How to remove Black (Prince) Ransomware and decrypt .black files

What is Black (Prince) Ransomware

Black (Prince) Ransomware is a malicious software variant designed to manipulate victims through file encryption and extorting ransom payments. Emerging from the Prince ransomware family, it maliciously encrypts files on the victim’s computer system, making them inaccessible to users. Upon encryption, it appends a distinct .black extension to the affected files, rendering them unrecognizable to commonly used software. Files like document.pdf or image.jpg become document.pdf.black and image.jpg.black, respectively, signaling the encryption. Targeted file encryption serves as a powerful and disruptive force, leveraging either symmetric or asymmetric cryptographic algorithms to ensure victims are locked out of their own data. This ransomware leaves a comprehensive ransom note titled Decryption Instructions.txt on the desktop, instructing victims on how to regain access to their files by paying a ransom through unspecified cryptocurrency. It strongly advises victims against renaming or manipulating the encrypted files, as this could lead to permanent data loss and further complicate data recovery.

Decryption of the encrypted files is primarily dependent on obtaining the correct decryption key, which the perpetrators often hold ransom. Unfortunately, as of now, there are no publicly available decryption tools that can efficiently unlock files encrypted by Black (Prince) Ransomware without the attackers’ key. Several efforts have been made by security organizations, but the sophisticated encryption used by this ransomware family remains a barrier. If affected by such ransomware, utilizing decryption tools from the “No More Ransom Project” website is often recommended as they provide assistance for numerous ransomware cases. However, these tools may not address all ransomware infections, especially those involving recent and evolved strains like Black (Prince). For victims, the safest approach remains restoration from secure backups created before the infection occurred. It underscores the importance of maintaining regular data backups and employing robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard against such pervasive threats.

How Black (Prince) Ransomware infects computers

Black (Prince) Ransomware typically infiltrates computers through a combination of phishing and social engineering tactics. It often masquerades as legitimate software or media, tricking users into downloading and executing malicious files. These files might be hidden within email attachments, such as documents with embedded macros, or linked in seemingly innocuous communications like direct messages or spam emails. Cybercriminals also leverage untrustworthy download sources, including third-party websites and peer-to-peer networks, to distribute the ransomware. Additionally, Black (Prince) can spread via drive-by downloads, where visiting a compromised or malicious website is enough to trigger the download of the ransomware. Once executed, the ransomware encrypts the victim’s files, appending the “.black” extension and demanding a ransom for decryption, while warning against altering the encrypted files.

1. Download Black (Prince) Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .black files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like Black (Prince) Ransomware

Black (Prince) Ransomware files:


Decryption Instructions.txt
{randomname}.exe


Black (Prince) Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .black files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .black files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

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 .black 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 Black (Prince) 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 .black files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select the type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose the location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose a particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there are no items in the list, choose an alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it, and you will see a screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose an alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the Dropbox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Black (Prince) 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.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

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. Black (Prince) 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.

Download MailWasher Pro