How to remove GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware and decrypt your files

What is GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware

GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware is probably imposter of original GandCrab Ransomware family. However, it still encrypts files in similar fashion to GandCrab v5.2 Ransomware. Encrypted files get .[5-6-7-8-random-letters] extension and ransom note file has different name: [5-6-7-8-random-letters]-MANUAL.txt, however, still looks identical to previous generation. Here is the content of this file:

After debugging executable files security specialists find ironical comments “Jokeroo, new ransom”, “We rulez!!”. Jokeroo is a new Ransomware-as-a-Service, that is promoted on underground hacking sites and via Twitter, that allows affiliates to allegedly gain access to a fully functional ransomware and payment server. GandCrab Ransomware grows into separate industry, where people with bad intentions and basic computer knowledge can earn money with this criminal schemes. Some of the previous versions of GandCrab Ransomware could be decrypted with special decryptor from BitDefender, we will provide download link for this tool below. There is a possibility, that program will be updated to work with GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware soon. Meanwhile, we recommend you to use standard Windows features, such as shadow copies, previous versions of files, restore points to recover your files. File-recovery software can help you restore many files, removed earlier and not touched by the virus. Use detailed instructions in this article to remove GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware and decrypt .[random-letters] files in Windows 10, 8/8.1, Windows 7.

List of file extensions targeted for encryption:
.1st, .602, .7z, .7-zip, .abw, .act, .adoc, .aim, .ans, .apkg, .apt, .arj, .asc, .asc, .ascii, .ase, .aty, .awp, .awt, .aww, .cab, .doc, .docb, .docx, .dotm, .gzip, .iso, .lzh, .lzma, .pot, .potm, .potx, .ppam, .pps, .ppsm, .ppsx, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .rar, .sldm, .sldx, .tar, .vbo, .vdi, .vmdk, .vmem, .vmx, .xla, .xlam, .xll, .xlm, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .xlw, .xps, .z, .zip

How GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware infected your PC

GandCrab Ransomware is spreading via Jokeroo RaaS service, where participants use mass spam mailing with malicious emails with provocative subjects. Virus can be also distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, using email spam and malicious attachments, deceptive downloads, botnets, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged and infected installers. Virus assigns certain ID with the victims, that is used to name those files and supposedly to send decryption key. In order to prevent infection with this type of threats in future we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus, SpyHunter 5, BitDefender or any reputable antivirus program.

Download GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware Removal Tool

Download Removal Tool

To remove GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware.

How to remove GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware files:

[random-letters]-DECRYPT.txt
{random}.exe


GandCrab v5.3 Ransomware registry keys:


HKCU\SOFTWARE\keys_data\data


How to decrypt and restore .[random-letters] files

Use automated decryptors

Use following tool from BitDefender called BitDefender GandCrab Decryptor, that can decrypt .[random-letters] files. Download it here:

Download BitDefender GandCrab Decryptor

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 GandCrab v5.3 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. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro to restore .[random-letters] files

1. Download Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro.
2. Select location to scan for lost files and click Scan button.
3. Wait until Quick and Deep scans finish.
4. Preview found files and restore them.

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 GandCrab v5.3 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.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

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.

Download MailWasher Pro