Removal instructions for Cryptowall

[Metallica]

What is Cryptowall?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Cryptowall is ransomware. These applications deny you access to your own files or computer, or threaten to do so, unless you pay the ransom. This particular one encrypts your documents and offers to decrypt them for a price.

How do I know if I am infected with Cryptowall?

When the process is done encrypting your documents, the computer will spontaneously reboot.

This is how the main screen of the ransomware looks:

You will find these icons on your desktop:

And you may see these warnings:

How did Cryptowall get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was dropped by a driveby download, but they are also sent out as spam.

How do I remove Cryptowall?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this ransomware.

• Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
  • Update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• Then click Finish.
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.
• When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Cryptowall?

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Cryptowall completely.
• But it can not decrypt your files. You will need backups to replace the encrypted files.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for additional protection.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Cryptowall rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late. And warned you about an outgoing connection to a malware server.

Technical details for experts

Alterations made by the installer:

  File System  ===============    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp      Adds the file 175241.exe"="10:35 07/06/14 109072 bytes      Adds the file 177334.bat"="10:35 07/06/14 69 bytes      Adds the file UpdateFlashPlayer_9eadfc06.exe"="10:35 07/06/14 185864 bytes  Registry  ===============    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adzwsnwhfp]      "License"="75412"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malwarewww.malwarebytes.orgScan Date: 6/7/2014Scan Time: 10:41:20 AMLogfile: mbamCryptoWall.txtAdministrator: YesVersion: 2.00.2.1012Malware Database: v2014.06.07.02Rootkit Database: v2014.06.02.01License: FreeMalware Protection: DisabledMalicious Website Protection: DisabledSelf-protection: DisabledOS: Windows XP Service Pack 3CPU: x86File System: NTFSUser: {username}Scan Type: Threat ScanResult: CompletedObjects Scanned: 291329Time Elapsed: 1 min, 40 secMemory: EnabledStartup: EnabledFilesystem: EnabledArchives: EnabledRootkits: DisabledHeuristics: EnabledPUP: EnabledPUM: EnabledProcesses: 0(No malicious items detected)Modules: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Values: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Data: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders: 0(No malicious items detected)Files: 3Spyware.Zbot.ED, C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\1tokinau.exe, Quarantined, [524cec899edd9e98882a8003cc356898], Spyware.Zbot.ED, C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\175241.exe, Quarantined, [6a34354097e4f5410fa31271d9281fe1], Spyware.Zbot.ED, C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\UpdateFlashPlayer_9eadfc06.exe, Quarantined, [524c0471c0bb11258c26ef94c63b7090], Physical Sectors: 0(No malicious items detected)(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.

We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

• Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
• Malware Execution Prevention

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.