How to remove Prince Ransomware and decrypt .ran files

What is Prince Ransomware

Prince Ransomware is a sophisticated strain of ransomware that primarily targets Windows operating systems. Written in the Go programming language, it employs advanced encryption techniques, including ChaCha20 and ECIES, to securely encrypt user files, rendering them inaccessible without the correct decryption tools. Once files are encrypted, Prince Ransomware appends the .ran extension to all affected files, leaving victims unable to open essential documents, images, and media. The ransomware creates a ransom note named Decryption Instructions.txt, which is typically placed in the same directory as the encrypted files. This note outlines the demands made by the attackers, including the ransom amount and instructions on how to pay it. The unique combination of ChaCha20 stream cipher and ECIES encryption makes it particularly challenging for traditional recovery tools to restore files without the corresponding decryption key.

Victims of Prince Ransomware often seek decryption tools to recover their files, but finding reliable resources can be daunting. Currently, there are no publicly available tools that guarantee the decryption of files encrypted by this ransomware variant. Ransomware authors continue to evolve their techniques, which makes developing decryption tools a colossal challenge for cybersecurity professionals. If individuals are targeted and their files encrypted with the .ran extension, the only recourse may be to consult cybersecurity experts or await potential advancements in decryption technology. Until a working decryption tool becomes available, the best prevention against ransomware is maintaining regular backups of vital data and employing robust security practices. Ultimately, paying the ransom is not recommended, as it does not ensure that victims will regain access to their files and may encourage further criminal activity.

How Prince Ransomware infects computers

Prince Ransomware infects computers through a sophisticated process that begins with the exploitation of vulnerabilities in the operating system or applications, often delivered via phishing emails or malicious downloads. Once executed, the ransomware scans the system and connected drives, methodically identifying and encrypting files while ignoring certain blacklisted items. It employs a unique encryption scheme that combines ChaCha20 and ECIES cryptography, allowing it to encrypt individual files byte-by-byte, which complicates recovery efforts using traditional tools. The ransomware then prepends the encrypted ChaCha20 key and nonce to the start of each file, ensuring that without the corresponding decryptor, recovery is nearly impossible. This combination of targeted file encryption and stealthy operation makes Prince Ransomware particularly dangerous, as it can silently compromise systems and render critical data inaccessible before the victim even realizes an attack has occurred. Ultimately, the effectiveness of Prince Ransomware highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and user awareness in preventing such infections.

1. Download Prince Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .ran 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 Prince Ransomware

Prince Ransomware files:


Decryption Instructions.txt
{randomname}.exe


Prince Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .ran files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .ran 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 .ran 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 Prince 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 .ran files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select the type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose the 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 a 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 are no items in the list, choose an alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it, and you will see a 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 an 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 Prince 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. Prince 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