Cryptowall 3.0

[Kuualoha]

hi,

I should preface by saying that I am not very computer savy, so if at all possible, please have patience.

about a year and a half ago, I got cryptowall 3.0 on my computer. I believe I got it from plugging a friends camera into my computer, because I got the infection(?) immediately after that. At that time, I couldn't find much on cryptowall or how to remove it. The only thing I found, was an article saying to maually search for and remove certain files (I believe they were "help_decrypt" or something like that. I have done that and my computer no longer has those fun little pop-ups. So I figured it was gone. I ran malwarbytes numerous times since then. My computer seems to be running okish, but it is reeeeally slow as though something is still wrong with it. Its to the point that I don't even use the laptop anymore. I don't want to throw it away, which is my first instinct, because it belonged to a deceased family member. Could the slow computer be a result of cryptowall still being on the laptop? How can I find out what is wrong? What can I do? Is there anyway to save the files still encrypted? It would appear that the infection deleted all restore points so I was unable to restore to an earlier time. There are a lot of files that I would really like to restore on there as well as getting the laptop back in working order.

Thanks in advance.

[kevinf80]

Hello and welcome to Malwarebytes,

Please be aware the following P2P/Piracy Warning is a standard opening reply made here at Malwarebytes, we make no accusations but do make you aware of Forum Protocol....

If you're using Peer 2 Peer software such as uTorrent, BitTorrent or similar you must either fully uninstall them or completely disable them from running while being assisted here.Failure to remove or disable such software will result in your topic being closed and no further assistance being provided.If you have illegal/cracked software, cracks, keygens etc. on the system, please remove or uninstall them now and read the policy on Piracy.

Anyone other than the original starter of this thread please DO NOT follow the instructions and advice posted as replies here, my help and advice is NOT related to your system and will probably cause more harm than good...

Change the download folder setting in the default Browser so all tools we may use are saved to the Desktop:

Google Chrome - Click the "Customize and control Google Chrome" button in the upper right-corner of the browser.
Choose Settings. at the bottom of the screen click the
"Show advanced settings..." link. Scroll down to find the Downloads section and click the Change... button. Select your desktop and click OK.

Mozilla Firefox - Click the "Open Menu" button in the upper right-corner of the browser. Choose Options. In the downloads section, click the Browse button, click on the Desktop folder and the click the "Select Folder" button. Click OK to get out of the Options menu.

Internet Explorer - Click the Tools menu in the upper right-corner of the browser. Select View downloads. Select the Options link in the lower left of the window. Click Browse and select the Desktop and then choose the Select Folder button. Click OK to get out of the download options screen and then click Close to get out of the View Downloads screen.
NOTE: IE8 Does not support changing download locations in this manner. You will need to download the tool(s) to the default folder, usually Downloads, then copy them to the desktop.

Change default download folder location in Edge - Boot to a user account with admin status, select start > file explorer > right click on "Downloads" folder and select "Properties"

In the new window select "Location" tab > clear the text field box and type in or copy/paste %userprofile%\Desktop > select "Apply" then "OK"

Be aware you are not changing the Browser download folder location, you are changing the user’s download directory location.....


Next,


Please open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

• On the Settings tab > Detection and Protection sub tab, Detection Options, tick the box "Scan for rootkits".
• Under Non-Malware Protection sub tab Change PUP and PUM entries to Treat detections as Malware
• Click on the Scan tab, then click on Scan Now >> . If an update is available, click the Update Now button.
• A Threat Scan will begin.
• When the scan is complete Apply Actions to any found entries.
• Wait for the prompt to restart the computer to appear (if applicable), then click on Yes.
• After the restart once you are back at your desktop, open MBAM once more.
  

To get the log from Malwarebytes do the following:

• Click on the History tab > Application Logs.
• Double click on the scan log which shows the Date and time of the scan just performed.
• Click Export > From export you have three options:
  
    Copy to Clipboard - if seleted right click to your reply and select "Paste" log will be pasted to your reply
    Text file (*.txt)        - if selected you will have to name the file and save to a place of choice, recommend "Desktop" then attach to reply
    XML file (*.xml)      - if selected you will have to name the file and save to a place of choice, recommend "Desktop" then attach to reply
  
• Please use "Copy to Clipboard, then Right click to your reply > select "Paste" that will copy the log to your reply…
  

If Malwarebytes is not installed follow these instructions first:

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.

• Double-click mbam-setup and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to the following:
• Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• A 14 day trial of the Premium features is pre-selected. You may deselect this if you wish, and it will not diminish the scanning and removal capabilities of the program.
• Click Finish. Follow the instructions above....
  

Next,

Download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your Desktop.

• Double click on Adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.
• Click on the Scan in the Actions box
• Please wait fot the scan to finish..
• When "Waiting for action.Please uncheck elements you want to keep" shows in top line..
• Click on the Cleaning box.
• Next click OK on the "Closing Programs" pop up box.
• Click OK on the Information box & again OK to allow the necessary reboot
• After restart the AdwCleaner(C*)-Notepad log will appear, please copy/paste it in your next reply. Where * is the number relative to list of scans completed...
  

Next,

Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system (32 bit or 64 bit). If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them. Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
  (Windows 8/10 users will be prompted about Windows SmartScreen protection - click More information and Run.)
• Make sure Addition.txt is checkmarked under "Optional scans"
• Press Scan button to run the tool....
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
• The tool will also make a log named (Addition.txt) Please attach those logs to your reply.
  

Let me see those logs in your next reply...

Thank you,

Kevin...
 

[Kuualoha]

Kevin,

 

First of all, thank you for the reply and help you are providing.

 

I have scanned with MBAM, will attatch log.  Moving on to next step.  Thanks again.

 

 

scan log.txt

[Kuualoha]

I have done the AdwCleaner part.  Log attached.  I wasn't sure what you meant by, "Where * is the number relative to list of scans complete...".  I hope I did it correctly.  Please let me know if I haven't and I will do it over.  Moving on to the Farbar recovery scan tool part.

 

SIde note:  My computer is already running better.  Not slow to start anymore.  Thanks.

AdwCleanerC1.txt

[Kuualoha]

okay, here is the Farbar recovery scan tool logs.  Thanks again.

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[kevinf80]

Thanks for the logs, continue as follows:

 

Download attached fixlist.txt file (end of reply) and save it to the Desktop, or the folder you saved FRST into.
NOTE. It's important that both FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

Run FRST and press the Fix button just once and wait.
The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt) or the folder it was ran from. Please post it to your reply.

 

Next,

 

Please open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

• On the Settings tab > Detection and Protection sub tab, Detection Options, tick the box "Scan for rootkits".
• Under Non-Malware Protection sub tab Change PUP and PUM entries to Treat detections as Malware
• Click on the Scan tab, then click on Scan Now >> . If an update is available, click the Update Now button.
• A Threat Scan will begin.
• When the scan is complete Apply Actions to any found entries.
• Wait for the prompt to restart the computer to appear (if applicable), then click on Yes.
• After the restart once you are back at your desktop, open MBAM once more.
  

To get the log from Malwarebytes do the following:

• Click on the History tab > Application Logs.
• Double click on the scan log which shows the Date and time of the scan just performed.
• Click Export > From export you have three options:
  
    Copy to Clipboard - if seleted right click to your reply and select "Paste" log will be pasted to your reply
    Text file (*.txt)        - if selected you will have to name the file and save to a place of choice, recommend "Desktop" then attach to reply
    XML file (*.xml)      - if selected you will have to name the file and save to a place of choice, recommend "Desktop" then attach to reply
  
• Please use "Copy to Clipboard, then Right click to your reply > select "Paste" that will copy the log to your reply…
  

 

Next,

 

Download Sophos Free Virus Removal Tool and save it to your desktop.

• Double click the icon and select Run
• Click Next
• Select I accept the terms in this license agreement, then click Next twice
• Click Install
• Click Finish to launch the program
• Once the virus database has been updated click Start Scanning
• If any threats are found click Details, then View log file... (bottom left hand corner)
• Copy and paste the results in your reply
• Close the Notepad document, close the Threat Details screen, then click Start cleanup
• Click Exit to close the program
  

 

Next,

 

Run FRST one more time, ensure all boxes are checkmarked under "Whitelist" but only Addition.txt under "Optional scan" Select scan, when done post the new logs....

 

Post those logs in your reply...

 

Thank you,

 

Kevin

Fixlist.txt

[Kuualoha]

Hi Kevin,

 

thanks for the quick reply.  I have downloaded the "fixlist.txt" file onto desktop, opened FRST and clicked fix.  It created the fixlog you mentioned which I will attach.  I got a popup (I will attach a screenshot), I clicked off of that popup and it immediately closed and closed my browser as well (which was on this forum), then 3 of my browser popped up with my default "homepage" open instead of this forum.  Not sure what happened.  The FRST program after I clicked "Fix" says "deleting temporary files on the top and the "fix" button now says "fixing".  Hope I am doing this correctly.  I will attach the fixlog and screenshot below while I wait for FRST to finish deleting temporary files.? 

 

Thanks Kevin

Fixlog.txt

[Kuualoha]

Oh I should also mention, my computer froze up earlier (I previously tried to login and came to the forum to attempt this).  The firefox plugin was not responding and I had to force shut down.  When I restarted, it seems fine now.

[Kuualoha]

ok, so FRST finished its scan/fixing, it apparently updated the fixlog I attached previously, and the "fixlist" file disappeared from my desktopFixlog.txt.  Is that supposed to happen?  Here is the updated fixlog.  Moving on to the rescan of malware bytes.  Thanks Kevin.

[Kuualoha]

MBAM scan log attached. 

 

Going to next step.

 

Thanks

MBAMscan.txt

[Kuualoha]

Ok, here's the Sophos log.

SophosVirusRemovalTool.log

[Kuualoha]

Ok and here are the FRST logs.

 

Thanks again.

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[kevinf80]

Those logs are clean, is your system responding ok, are there any remaining issues or concerns?

 

Thank you,

 

Kevin...

[Kuualoha]

sorry for taking a while to reply, I wanted to give it a couple of days to see how my laptop does.  It does seem a little slow on start but sooo much better.  Is there any known way to retrieve the files that were encoded with the cryptowall?  I really would like to see if I could get those back.  My restore points were deleted when cryptowall showed up on my laptop, so that won't work.  I've seen some posts around about something called "shadow___" something like that.  Would that work?

 

Thanks for all the help Kevin.

[kevinf80]

You are referring to shadow volume copies, unfortunately the type of infection you had normally removes those backups, it is still worth checking. Bleeping Comptures have a tutorial with the information you require. Please read up at the following link:

 

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/cryptowall-ransomware-information#shadow

 

Run the following to clean up tools used etc...

 

Download "Delfix by Xplode" and save it to your desktop.

Or use the following if first link is down:

"Delfix link mirror"

If your security program alerts to Delfix either, accept the alert or turn your security off.

Double Click to start the program. If you are using Vista or higher, please right-click and choose run as administrator

Make Sure the following items are checked:

• 
     
• Remove disinfection tools
     
• Purge System Restore <--- this will remove all previous and possibly exploited restore points, a new point relative to system status at present will be created.
     
• Reset system settings
  

Now click on "Run" and wait patiently until the tool has completed.

The tool will create a log when it has completed. We don't need you to post this.

Any remnant files/logs from tools we have used can be deleted…

 

Next,

 

Read the following links to fully understand PC Security and Best Practices, you may find them useful....

Answers to Common Security Questions and best Practices

Do I need a Registry Cleaner?

Take care and surf safe

Kevin... 
 

[exile360]

Since this issue is resolved I will close the thread to prevent others from posting here. If you need assistance please start your own topic and someone will be happy to assist you.