How to remove Cylance Ransomware and decrypt .Cylance files

What is Cylance Ransomware

Cylance is the name of a ransomware infection that targets Windows and Linux users. Users infected with this type of malware will no longer be able to access their data due to encryption. In addition, victims will also see the affected files modified with the .Cylance extension. After this, they will be no longer accessible and victims will have to follow decryption instructions in the generated ransom note (named CYLANCE_README.txt). Please note that Cylance Ransomware has nothing to do with Cylance by BlackBerry – legitimate enterprise cybersecurity solutions.

In general, the ransom note says the victim’s data has been encrypted and cybercriminals are the only holders of private keys that are able to decrypt it. To obtain this key and presumably software for running decryption, victims are instructed to contact the swindlers via e-mail and transfer money to them. The price is undisclosed and most likely calculated for each victim separately. Additionally, cybercriminals also offer to test decryption for free by sending one encrypted file. No matter how trustworthy cybercriminals seem, it is always advised against collaborating with them and paying the ransom. Many victims end up fooled and do not receive promised decryption tools. While this has not been reported to be the case with Cylance Ransomware, the risk exists nonetheless.

Unfortunately, ransomware developers are indeed the only source of getting the key for decryption. Sometimes it is possible to run independent decryption using third-party tools or windows shadow copies, however, this happens only in rare cases when ransomware is flawed or accidentally failed to actually encrypt the data during its operation for whatever reason. At the time of writing this article, no third-party tools are capable of cracking the ciphers generated by Cylance Ransomware. Thus, the only ways to recover your data are either by collaborating with ransomware developers or retrieving data from existing backup copies. Backups are copies of data stored on external devices such as USB drives, external hard drives, or SSDs.

It is always safer to use backups copies instead of paying the attackers. As was mentioned before, paying cybercriminals is always a risk and does not fully guarantee the receiving of promised keys/tools. Therefore, make sure to create regular backups so that your data can be recovered in case of unexpected loss or ransomware infection. If you are going to recover your data without the involvement of cyber-swindlers, it is essential to delete the ransomware virus from your system so that it does not impact other files or spread to neighboring systems. Even if you choose to collaborate with them to decrypt files, it is still important to make sure the ransomware is uninstalled from the system later on. Use our guide to remove Cylance Ransomware and protect your system against such threats in the future.

How Cylance Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware is known to penetrate unprotected systems in a variety of ways – for example, via phishing e-mail letters, unprotected RDP configuration, infected software installers (pirated or cracked), exploit kits, trojans, fake updates/license cracking tools, unreliable ads, backdoors, keyloggers, and other dubious channels. Most of these channels are aimed to trick inexperienced/naive users into downloading and opening some malicious file or link. One example is fraudulent e-mails that often disguise harmful attachments as legitimate and genuine files, such as .DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS. Such messages tend to mimic templates of trustworthy organizations (e.g., delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, and so forth) to look legitimate and make users do what they need.

Being careful on the internet should be your top priority. As such, avoid interacting with shady download resources, torrent-sharing websites, dubious ads, potentially malicious attachments/links, and other types of content that may seem suspicious or compromised. Download software only from official and trusted resources. You can also check out our guide below for more practical ways and advice on how to protect your system from ransomware and other types of malware in the future.

1. Download Cylance Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .Cylance 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 Cylance Ransomware

Cylance Ransomware files:


CYLANCE_README.txt
{randomname}.exe


Cylance Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .Cylance files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

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