Czech ransomware - How to remove

Czech ransomware is another example of a crypto-virus, viciously attacking Internet users like a furious creature. This time crooks are targeting Czech-speaking countries and is not that grasping as other ransomware infections. Czech virus demands only 9 US dollars. However, the amount does not seem that small when converted to Czech koruna: 200. It is quite ironic: crooks spent their time and created a ransomware virus to receive such small amount of money? The true reason behind such decision is not unravelled. However, this infection is still an external force, threatening to overrun users’ computer systems.

About Czech Ransomware

The ransomware note of this ransomware looks like this (translated to English):

Your computer and your files are locked!
What happened?
All your files are encrypted with an encryption algorithm AES-256 along with your personal computer.
WARNING!!!
If you do not meet all the requirements set out in 2 days, your decryption key is deleted and you never see your files and bills again.
How to get the key?
– Just buy the card Paysafe Card in the amount of CZK 200, enter the code (number) in the text box below this text and press the green button.
Your payment will be sent for verification. After verifying your files and your computer to its original state.
– Where can I buy Paysafe Card?
Paysafe Card can be purchased at any newsagent or pump. Just ask your dealer.

Crooks exploit many techniques to distribute viruses like Czech virus. This subject is going to be analyzed in the next section of this article. For now, let’s take a look at the ways this ransomware proceeds and begins the overwhelming encryption. The payload of Czech virus is stored in one of the folders of your device. The eyes of amateurs are not trained to detect these executables. Why? Because it is hard to separate an ordinary file from a payload of a ransomware. This hiding strategy helps Czech virus to remain undetected until the first phase of its plan is completed. Speaking more specifically, first phase includes modification of Windows Registry keys, scanning system for files to encrypt and, of course, the actual encryption of them. Phase two can be identified as the main reveal: users are infected with a Czech virus. It puts all cards on the table and leaves the ransom note, quoted above. Now users are aware that their data is encrypted with AES-256 algorithm for encryption. Furthermore, it is easy to spot the files, encoded by Czech ransomware: it adds a .??? extension (either at the beginning or the end of the file).

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by Czech Ransomware?

Since the demanded sum is so small, users might not bother and pay the fee, instead of waiting for a proper decryption tool to be released. However, not a penny should be spent on hackers’ demands: even if the amount required is so nominal. Czech virus goes as far as to threaten to eliminate the decryption key if people do not pay up in 2 days since receiving the ransom note. Until IT specialists come up with a file-recovery tool, make sure to try out the already existing ones. Furthermore, if you have stored your data in backup storages, then you can easily retrieve files from these facilities.

How is Czech Ransomware Distributed?

We have already promised to reveal the most popular strategies, selected by crooks to spread ransomware viruses. Email accounts are not very well-secured places: spam letters are constantly sent around and can be potentially pestiferous. To avoid infections like Czech virus, we are suggesting to not carelessly open random received letters. Even if the message looks innocent, it might be just a mere disguise for users to not feel threatened. It is always a bad decision to download attachments from received letters, since this file might be the beginning of your problems: a payload of a ransomware virus. Furthermore, users are also advised to stop visiting inappropriate domains since drive-by download can also bring you an unexpected visitor like Czech virus.

Violence consists in shady crooks forcing others, under a threat of losing all of their files permanently, to do what seems to be a pretty reckless move. Do not feel vulnerable and remove this Czech virus with reputable and sophisticate antivirus tools. Spyhunter or Malwarebytes will manage to keep everything together. Devices, protected by these scanners, are noted to run smoother and are more immune to infections. For more information, regarding decryption and removal of Czech ransomware, scroll down.

How to recover Czech ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Czech virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Czech ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Czech virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Czech ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Czech virus tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Czech ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.