How to remove ChinaHelper ransomware and decrypt .cnh files

What is ChinaHelper Ransomware

ChinaHelper is a ransomware virus designed to encrypt personal data and blackmail victims into paying the ransom. While restricting access to data with the help of AES-256 and RSA-2048 algorithms, the virus assigns the .cnh extension so that a file like 1.pdf turns into 1.pdf.cnh, for instance. The next thing ChinaHelper does is creating a text note called README.txt. There is also another variant spotted in a later distribution, which assigned .cnhelp or .charm extension to files and created the HOW_TO_RETURN_FILES.txt file instead.

While in the first note mentioned above, cybercriminals only urge victims to establish contact with them by writing to helper.china@aol.com, the second (HOW_TO_RETURN_FILES.txt) sheds more information on what has happened and what should be done. It is said victims can also attach one small file that will be decrypted for free – as proof that decryption is possible. The “userkey” written inside the text note also has to be included in the email message while contacting extortionists. Upon further communication with the developers, they will provide more guidelines on how to pay for a special decryption key and tool (in Bitcoin cryptocurrency). In many cases, it is alas impossible to decrypt data yourself – without the help of developers. No third-party tool is currently able to crack encryption ciphers assigned by ChinaHelper Ransomware. It is worth giving a try to third-party instruments from our guide if you want to avoid paying the ransom and also if you do not have any backup that could be used for recovery. Otherwise, you can easily use them for restoring your files. Note that prior to trying recovery/decryption methods that exclude the participation of cybercriminals, it is important to get rid of the file-encrypting infection. You can do it fast and without traces in our guide down below.

How ChinaHelper Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware can be proliferated in a variety of ways – via deceptive downloads of fake software updates or installers that conceal trojans, weak RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, web-injects, unreliable software cracking tools, malicious ads, and e-mail spam letters as well. E-mail spam letters are probably the most popular distribution channel employed by cybercriminals. The scheme is meant to work when cybercriminals design messages into a legitimate-looking cover to make users believe they got them from trustworthy parties, such as delivery firms (DHL, DPD, FedEx), banks, tax authorities, lottery campaigns, and so forth. Such messages may contain a lot of call-to-action text (sometimes highlighted in color) the purpose of which is unfortunately to simply bait inexperienced or inattentive users into opening malicious files or clicking on links. When we talk about malicious attachments, then it is usually Word, Excel, PDF, JavaScript, EXE, ZIP, or RAR types of files that are bundled inside such messages. Malware developers use them to execute the installation of malware more easily thanks to macros abilities – requiring few steps from users to release the infection. This way, it is important to avoid opening suspicious files or links, especially if you received them unwillingly. Read our guide below to explore what can be done in order to protect your system from such threats in the future. You will find a plethora of useful information that will help you do so.

1. Download ChinaHelper Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .cnh 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 ChinaHelper Ransomware

ChinaHelper Ransomware files:


README.txt
{randomname}.exe


ChinaHelper Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .cnh files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .cnh 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 .cnh 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 ChinaHelper 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 .cnh files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose 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 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 is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see 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 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 ChinaHelper 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. ChinaHelper 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