I wrote this article to help you remove CryptoShield Ransomware. This CryptoShield Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.

A win-locker which had been fading to obscurity has risen back up. The virus, formerly known as CryptoMix and CrypMix, has returned with a new name. The latest build of the infection has been dubbed CryptoShield 1.0 ransomware. Since this is the only variant of the program thus far, we will simply refer to it as CryptoShield ransomware. The clandestine program uses advanced encryption technology and performs sophisticated tasks which other win-lockers cannot do. The idea behind CryptoShield is still the same. The creators of the virus aim to make money by swindling computer users. They lock their files and demand a payment to make them accessible again.

CryptoShield ransomware is distributed through corrupted websites. The secluded program uses the EITest JavaScript attack code and the RIG exploit kit (EK) to penetrate users’ computers. The EITest code is executed upon entering the infected site. Once it starts working, it downloads the EK. In turn, the malicious tool downloads and installs the win-locker onto the targeted system. To prevent getting infected, you need to take certain precautions. First, you must be careful about the websites you visit. Do your research on unfamiliar domains, if you are uncertain about their reliability. You should keep your programs up-to-date. Exploit kits look for weaknesses, like coding flaws and outdated software tools. If you update your programs on a regular basis, you will have a good chance of neutralizing an exploit kit attack.

CryptoShield ransomware uses a combination of AES-256 and ROT-13 ciphers. The AES algorithm creates a public key, used to encrypt files. To unlock the encrypted files, you will require the unique private key. The win-locker generates it using RSA-2048 technology. The decryption key is sent to a command and control server, owned by the cyber criminals. According to their message, the key is scheduled to be stored for 72 hours. After this point, it will be permanently deleted.

The AES (advanced encryption standard) technology is the main tool for CryptoShield ransomware. The ROT-13 cipher only complements the encryption by further rearranging the coding scheme. In itself, this method is rather simple. Breaking its code does not pose a challenge. The objective is to crack the code the AES algorithm has created. As with all new ransomware variants, security experts will work on a custom decrypter for the win-locker. The process of devising it could take a while. In the meantime, users will not be able to recover their files on their own.

Victims are pressed against the wall, as they have a limited amount of time to complete the payment. The number of formats CryptoShield ransomware targets makes the situation severe. The nefarious program encrypts 454 file types. Your documents, images, audios, videos, archives, databases, and some software tools will be rendered inaccessible. The win-locker appends the .CRYPTOSHIELD suffix to the names of the encrypted objects. If you store work projects and files on your hard drive, you could lose all your progress.

CryptoShield ransomware generates a personal identification ID for every infected device. The ID is listed at the bottom of the main ransom note. This is the file in .html format. The malignant program creates two ransom notes, both of which are titled # RESTORING FILES #. The other file is in .txt format. CryptoShield ransomware places a copy of them in every folder which contains encrypted objects. The main note is set to be displayed after the encryption finishes. The win-locker performs a couple of additional tasks beforehand which prevent the user from restoring his data. The malevolent program issues a command to disable the Windows startup recovery function. It deletes the shadow volume copies of the encrypted files.

Once it has eliminated the user’s backup plans, CryptoShield ransomware shows a fake alert about a problem with the Explorer.exe process. When you click OK, the secluded program will open a UAC (user account control) prompt. If you press the “Yes” button, the main ransom note will appear. The owners of CryptoShield ransomware ask victims to contact them before disclosing the amount of the ransom and giving them the payment address. While the requested sum is unknown, we can confirm that they accept payments in bitcoins. First, the victim has to send an email to one of their addresses: restoring_sup@india.com, restoring_sup@computer4u.com, or restoring_reserve@india.com.

CryptoShield Ransomware Removal

Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, CryptoShield Ransomware deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.

1. Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
2. Install ShadowExplorer
3. Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
4. Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
5. Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
6. Right-click on the encrypted file
7. Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file

Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore

1. Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
2. Click “Next“
3. Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
4. Click “Next“
5. Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
6. Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.

Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since CryptoShield Ransomware first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:

1. Recuva
2. Puran File Recovery
3. Disk Drill
4. Glary Undelete