How to remove CrossLock Ransomware and decrypt .crlk files

What is CrossLock Ransomware

CrossLock is a dangerous malware categorized as ransomware. The activity of this crypto-ransomware started in mid-April 2023. According to the ransom not it is aimed at English-speaking users, but it can spread around the world. This ransomware encrypts user data using a combination of the Curve25519 and ChaCha20 algorithms and then demands ransom in Bitcoins to get the files back. The original name is indicated in the note: CrossLock. The executable file spotted is notepad.exe (can be other random name). Malware was written in the Go language. The extension is added to encrypted files: .crlk. CrossLock Ransomware creates ransom note, that is called —CrossLock_readme_To_Decrypt—.txt in a folders with encrypted files and on the desktop. Below is the content of this note.

The list of file types that Crosslock encrypts includes: MS Office documents, OpenOffice, PDF, text files, databases, photos, music, videos, image files, archives, etc. However, to make system operational there are certain exceptions. Below is the list of files and folder types not affected by the encryption:

• Files with extensions: .exe, .dll, .sys, .msi, .lnk, .html, .bak, .dat, .lnk, .bat, .cmd, .crlk.
• System files: Bootmgr, BOOTNXT, DumpStack.log.tmp, pagefile.sys, swapfile.sys, desktop.ini, ntuser.dat, thumbs.db.
• System folders: Windows, System Volume Information, $Recycle.Bin, perflogs, Program Files, Programdata, Recovery.

How CrossLock Ransomware infected your computer

It can be distributed by hacking through an insecure RDP configuration, email spam and malicious attachments, fake downloads, botnets, exploits, malicious ads, web injections, fake updates, repackaged and infected installers. After infiltration CrossLock Ransomware removes shadow copies of files, changes the recovery and repair functions of Windows at the boot stage, deletes system backups, clears system and application logs, disables about 500 services.

1. Download CrossLock Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .crlk 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 CrossLock Ransomware

CrossLock Ransomware files:


#FILEENCRYPTED.txt
{randomname}.exe


CrossLock Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .crlk files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .crlk 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 .crlk 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 CrossLock 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 .crlk 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 CrossLock 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. CrossLock 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