What is CryptConsole 3 Ransomware
CryptConsole 3 Ransomware is the successor of CryptConsole and CryptConsole 2 ransomware viruses. This crypto-extortionist encrypts data on servers and PCs using AES, and then requires a ransom of 0.14 BTC (or sometimes $50) to return files. Virus was created on C# for the Microsoft .NET Framework. The third generation of CryptConsole started spreading in June, 2018. After finishing the encryption, CryptConsole 3 Ransomware creates README.txt file with following ransom-demanding message. Ransom notes are identical for different versions of CryptConsole 3 Ransomware, with the exception of a pair of email addresses and a generated unique personal identifier:
Your files are encrypted!
YOUR PERSONAL ID qhsEbrD4aBnpkUxBfvUSfD3mygjfS51sdlqwlvYR
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Discovered a serious vulnerability in your network security.
No data was stolen and no one will be able to do it while they are encrypted.
For you we have automatic decryptor and instructions for remediation.
For instructions, write to us on one of our mails Light_Yagami@tuta.io or Vash_the_Stampede@keemail.me
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You will receive automatic decryptor and all files will be restored
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* To be sure in getting the decryption, you can send one file(less than 10MB) to Light_Yagami@tuta.io or Vash_the_Stampede@keemail.me
In the letter include your personal ID(look at the beginning of this document).
Attention!
Attempts to self-decrypting files will result in the loss of your data
Decoders other users are not compatible with your data, because each user's unique encryption key
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Here are the pairs of e-mails used since 18th of June, 2018:
| 30.10.2018 | vertw@tuta.io | vertw@keemail.me |
| 22.10.2018 | Light_Yagami@tuta.io | Vash_the_Stampede@keemail.me |
| 15.10.2018 | kurosaki_ichigo@tutanota.com | Suzumiya_Haruhi@tutanota.com |
| 14.08.2018 | lelouchlamperouge@tutanota.com | MonkeyD.Luffy@keemail.me |
| 02.08.2018 | reter@keemail.me | gores@keemail.me |
| 31.07.2018 | mirey@tutanota.com | teresa@tutanota.de |
| 14.07.2018 | TaiLung@protonmail.com | lelouchlamperouge@keemail.me |
| 06.07.2018 | excaliburarthur@protonmail.com | symbyosis@protonmail.com |
| 19.06.2018 | berr@keemail.me | berr@keemail.me |
| 19.06.2018 | avira@keemail.me | starbax@tutanota.de |
Most of variations extort $50. They offer to decrypt 1 file for free, but the overall cost will then increase on $50. Mention that CryptConsole 1 and CryptConsole 2 can be decrypted with a tool developed by Michael Gillespie (download below). The third version is currently undecryptable. You can restore files from backups, but if you don’t have backups, follow instructions below to attempt restoring files using standard Windows features or using file-recovery software. Anyways, we do not recommend to pay the ransom as there is no guarantee malefactors will send you decryption key. There is possibility, that decryption tool for CryptConsole 3 will be released by antivirus company or individual security experts. Read this tutorial to remove CryptConsole 3 Ransomware and decrypt encrypted files in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7.
How CryptConsole 3 Ransomware infected your PC
There are some indications that CryptConsole 3 spreads in a bundle with crypto-miners, such as JS:Cryptonight or JS:Miner-C. CryptConsole 3 Ransomware virus developers use spam e-mails with malicious attachments for distribution. Usually, attachments are DOC or XLS documents. Such documents contain built-in macros, that runs in the background when user opens the document. This macros downloads and runs main executable with random name. Since that moment CryptConsole starts encryption process. Antivirus may not catch this threat and we recommend you to use HitmanPro with Cryptoguard. This program can detect encryption process and stop it to prevent the loss of your files.
Download CryptConsole 3 Ransomware Removal Tool
To remove CryptConsole 3 Ransomware completely we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of CryptConsole 3 Ransomware.
How to remove CryptConsole 3 Ransomware manually
It is not recommended to remove CryptConsole 3 Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.
CryptConsole 3 Ransomware files:
README.txt
smsss.exe
systemA.exe
DontSleep.exe
Microsoft Updater.exe
Microsoft Updater 4.exe
CryptConsole 3 Ransomware reg keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore files encrypted by CryptConsole 3
Decryption tool #1
Use following tool from BleepingComputer called CryptConsoleDecrypter, that can decrypt files encrypted by CryptConsole 2 Ransomware. Download it here:
Decryption tool #2
Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt encrypted 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.
If you are infected with CryptConsole 3 Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. However, there is currently no automatic decryption tool for files encrypted by CryptConsole. To attempt to remove them you can do the following:
Use Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro to restore encrypted files
- Download Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro.
- Select location to scan for lost files and click Scan button.
- Wait until Quick and Deep scans finish.
- Preview found files and restore them.
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 CryptConsole 3 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
Regardless of success of protection against ransomware threats, you can save your files using simple online backup. Cloud services are quite fast and cheap nowadays. There is more sense using online backup, than creating physical drives, that can get infected and encrypted when connected to PC or get damaged from dropping or hitting. Windows 10 and 8/8.1 users can find pre-installed OneDrive backup solution from Microsoft. It is actually one of the best backup services on the market, and has reasonable pricing plans. Users of earlier versions can get acquainted with it here. Make sure to backup and sync most important files and folders in OneDrive.
3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox
Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.
