Remove ChernoLocker Virus (+Decrypt .CHERNOLOCKER files)

ChernoLocker – General Info

The ChernoLocker mean a ransomware-type infection. ChernoLocker was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are unable to use them. ChernoLocker adds the “.CHERNOLOCKER” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by ChernoLocker, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.CHERNOLOCKER“. As quickly as the encryption is finished, ChernoLocker places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by ChernoLocker text file requesting for the ransom is definitely the like the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives. It literally mentions that the information is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a a distinct decryption key. Unfortunately, this is definitely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism used by ChernoLocker is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is absolutely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is completely unique. It is difficult to bring back the files without the key available.

Another technique of ChernoLocker is that the victims cannot gain access to the key. The key is stored on a particular server run by the frauds associated with ChernoLocker ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.

Nevertheless, irrespective of the requested amount, people need to stay away from paying the ransom virus. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to completely ignore what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom generally does not give any positive result and people just waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We highly advise that you do not contact these crooks and definitely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack ChernoLocker ransomware and to recover the data data totally free. Therefore, the just right decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	ChernoLocker Ransomware
File Extension	.CHERNOLOCKER
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
Symptoms	File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special CHERNOLOCKER extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Bear in mind that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to ChernoLocker ransomware. Harmful programs of such kind are generally elaborated to encrypt crucial data and to set forth the demand before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to generate the special decryption key for information decryption.

Thus, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is just not feasible. The only way to prevent the loss of your crucial information is to routinely create backups of your important information.

Keep in mind that even if you create such backups, they must be placed into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. You may use the Memory Stick or external disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you store your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted together with other files, so it’s certainly not a good storage location.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

There are a number of methods used by online scams to distribute ChernoLocker ransomware. Although it is uncertain how exactly ChernoLocker injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:

• integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
• spam e-mails from unidentified senders;
• sites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Frequently ChernoLocker virus may exist as some genuine software, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to carry out some important software updates. This is the common trick used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing ChernoLocker infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.

Additionally, the criminals may refer to various email spam tactics to inject harmful codes into PC. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some photos, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade notifies may result in ChernoLocker ransom injection. As for the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may also include harmful codes causing ChernoLocker secret installation. Finally, injection of ChernoLocker may happen by ways of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and install destructive utilities without the user’s authorization.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of ChernoLocker ransom virus?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your computer from getting infected, there are some pieces of recommendations we wish to show with you. To start with, be extremely cautious when you surf the web and especially while downloading complimentary apps. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Bear in mind that some freeware installers may include other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be malicious. Make certain that your current antivirus and your entire OS is always duly updated.

Obviously, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may result in essential damage to be made for your PC. Hence, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly encouraged to reconsider your existing security software and potentially change to another security solution that can render far better services of protecting your PC.

Below please find the quotation from the ChernoLocker text file:

FILES IN YOUR COMPUTER HAVE BEEN LOCKED!
YOUR DOCUMENTS, PHOTOS, DATABASES AND OTHER IMPORTANT FILES HAVE BEEN LOCKED
WITH THE STRONGEST ENCRYPTION AND UNIQUE KEY GENERATED FOR THIS COMPUTER.
PRIVATE DECRYPTION KEY STORED STORED ON A SECRET SERVER AND NOBODY
WILL DECRYPT YOUR FILES UNTIL YOU PAY AND OBTAIN THE PRIVATE DECRYPTION KEY.
THE SERVER WILL ELIMINATE THE KEY AFTER 14 DAYS.
PURCHASE THE DECRYPTION KEY, NOW
YOU CAN CONTACT ME VIA FILELOCKER@PROTONMAIL.CH

Screenshot of files with “.CHERNOLOCKER” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove ChernoLocker ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.