How to remove LeChiffre Ransomware and decrypt ._LeChiffre files

What is LeChiffre Ransomware

Translated as Cipher in French, LeChiffre is a relatively old ransomware-type virus discovered in 2015. Unlike other programs, it encrypts user’s data by using Blowfish algorithms (instead of AES). After penetration, LeChiffre does a pure classic, it scans your disk for available files (like images, documents, etc.) stored on the system and encrypts them by changing extensions to .lechiffre. For example, the original 1.mp4 will be transformed into 1.mp4.lechiffre. Newer variations also add a random alphanumerical sequence to this suffix. Thereafter, the program creates an HTML file (_How to decrypt LeChiffre files.html) that is automatically opened in a browser or text file (_LeChiffre_BACKUPVO.txt).

The note contains information on how to restore your data. To decrypt your files right now, you should contact frauds via the attached e-mail to get further instructions about the payment. Amazingly, but LeChiffre developers break all standards of typical ransomware and claim that they do not need your files and, if you want, you can retrieve them for free within 6 months. Luckily, LeChiffre has been known for a very long time meaning that the blocked data can be unlocked by up-to-date tools. Keep reading the article to find out how to do this.

How LeChiffre Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware is typically installed via e-mail spams, trojans, and other channels, however, LeChiffre is an exception. Developers infect the virus manually by remotely hacking desktops through unprotected connections. After the server is hacked, scammers run the LeChiffre.exe executable file to encrypt the data. Once the LeChiffre.exe is opened, users can see a tab with lots of options such as “Start”, “Pause” and others. Unfortunately, hackers control the system and disable any attempts from users to prevent the process. Once finished, hackers will exit the system and clear up all of the traces. Be careful and attentive whilst surfing the web, visit only legitimate and trustworthy pages that use protected networks. Evade clicking on ads because they can redirect you to malicious pages that can exploit poor network configuration and let swindlers invade your PC. To get rid of LeChiffre.exe and decrypt your data, follow the instructions listed below.

1. Download LeChiffre Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for ._LeChiffre 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 LeChiffre Ransomware

LeChiffre Ransomware files:


readme.txt
{randomfilename}.exe


LeChiffre Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore ._LeChiffre files

Use automated decryptors

Download Emsisoft Decryptor for LeChiffre

Use following tool from Emsisoft called Decryptor for LeChiffre, that can decrypt ._LeChiffre files. Download it here:

Download Decryptor for LeChiffre

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 ._LeChiffre files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of 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 LeChiffre 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 Data Recovery Professional to restore ._LeChiffre 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 LeChiffre 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 storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. LeChiffre 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 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 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