.ccc may seem to be a harmless file extension. Lately, the combination of those letters have marked deadly virus invasion into computing devices.
The invader applies Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) which implements a symmetric key algorithm. The symmetric encryption means the same key is required to decrypt and encrypt your data. That may give users a vain hope that the encryption is quite simple and could be aborted. Unfortunately, the routine features extremely complex encoding. It involves both private and public key. A victim must have both private and public key. Otherwise, the affected data cannot be decrypted. The private key is safely stored at the server controlled by the hackers.
Each file modified by the .ccc virus has its name extended with the above string (.ccc). In fact, it is just another version of TeslaCrypt virus. The virus propagates by exploiting bugs in the software that users have not updated long since. Please keep your software up-do-date to keep the ransomware off your PC.
The folders containing encrypted data also get the files with instructions on how to get the affected data back to readable format. The same files are created at the desktop so that they are unlikely to escape’s victim’s attention. howto_recover_file_.txt and howto_recover_file_.html are common names assigned by the ransomware to its notification. Extension may vary. There may be several files at once with different extensions: txt, png, etc.
The message by ransomware extorts the reward for decrypting affected data. As a rule, it amounts to 2 bitcoins (over USD 500). This should not be paid or the payment must be affected as a last ditch attempt only. The recommended way is to remove .ccc TeslaCrypt malware and apply recovery routines.
This strain of ransomware definitely belongs to TeslaCrypt family.
However, it tries to disguise itself so that victims and experts would treat it as CryptoWall ransomware. The latter is also a deadly piece of malware. However, it can be clearly distinguished from the ccc virus in question. The important implication from the above is that the removal of .ccc ransomware requires individual approach. The same is true as regards the decryption of affected data.
In the other words, one cannot remove .ccc malware applying the procedure that kills CryptoWall. These are completely distinct cases.
Despite there is no ultimate decryption available, IT experts reasonably suggest to get rid of .ccc virus. The removal action shall, of course, be followed by comprehensive data recovery measures.
Automatic removal of .ccc file virus
The benefits of using the automatic security suite to get rid of this infection are obvious: it scans the entire system and detects all potential fragments of the virus, so you are a few mouse clicks away from a complete fix.
- Download and install recommended malware security suite
- Select Start Computer Scan feature and wait until the utility comes up with the scan report. Proceed by clicking on the Fix Threats button, which will trigger a thorough removal process to address all the malware issues compromising your computer and your privacy.
Unlock files encrypted by Crypt.pko virus
.ccc file virus represents a unique category of malicious software whose attack surface reaches beyond the operating system and its components, which is why removing the virus itself is a part of the fix only. As it has been mentioned, it encrypts one’s personal information, so the next phase of the overall remediation presupposes reinstating the files that will otherwise remain inaccessible.
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Launch data recovery software
Similarly to the rest of its fellow-infections, .ccc ransomware most likely follows an operational algorithm where it erases the original versions of the victim’s files and actually encrypts their copies. This peculiarity might make your day, because forensics-focused applications like Data Recovery Pro are capable of restoring the information that has been removed. As the virus further evolves, its modus operandi may be altered – in the meanwhile, go ahead and try this.
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Take advantage of Volume Shadow Copy Service
This technique is based on using the native backup functionality that’s shipped with Windows operating system. Also referred to as Volume Snapshot Service (VSS), this feature makes regular backups of the user’s files and keeps their most recent versions as long as System Restore is on. .ccc virus hasn’t been found to affect these copies therefore the restoration vector in question is strongly recommended. The two sub-sections below highlight the automatic and manual workflow.
- a) Use Shadow Explorer
Shadow Explorer is an applet that provides an easy way of retrieving previous versions of files and folders. Its pro’s include an intuitive interface where the computer’s entire file hierarchy is displayed within one window. Just pick the hard disk volume, select the object or directory to be restored, right-click on it and choose Export. Follow the app’s prompts to get the job done.
- b) Use file properties
Essentially, what the above-mentioned Shadow Explorer tool does is it automates the process that can otherwise be performed manually via the Properties dialog for individual files. This particular approach is more cumbrous but just as effective as its software-based counterpart, so you can proceed by right-clicking on a specific file, which has been encrypted by .ccc virus, and selecting Properties in the context menu. The tab named Previous Versions is the next thing to click – it displays available versions of the file by date of the snapshot creation. Pick the latest copy and complete the retrieval by following the prompts.
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Data backups work wonders
Ransomware like .ccc file virus isn’t nearly as almighty and destructive in case you run regular file backups to the cloud or external data media. The virus itself can be completely removed in a matter of minutes, and the distorted information can then be just as easily recovered from the backup. Luckily, this is a growing trend, so ransom Trojans are hopefully going to become less subversive in the near future.
Verify thoroughness of the removal
Having carried out the instructions above, add a finishing touch to the security procedure by running an additional computer scan to check for residual malware activity
