Kronos Ransomware

Kronos Ransomware is a threat you do not want to face because if you are introduced to the message sent to you by its creator, that means that your personal files were encrypted. What does that mean? That means that a unique encryptor was employed to change the data of your files to make them unreadable. Originally, encryption was used to keep data private, but cybercriminals have been exploiting it to corrupt Windows users’ files. There are now thousands of infections capable of this, including Nesa Ransomware, Moka Ransomware, Arsium Ransomware, or Jack Ransomware to name a few. In some cases, these infections are set up to mess with Windows users and destroy their data, but in most cases, the attackers behind them want money. If your files were encrypted already, you must have been introduced to a message demanding that you pay money in return for a decryptor. We discuss that as well as the removal of Kronos Ransomware further in the report. If you are interested, please continue reading.

It is impossible to say how Kronos Ransomware could have entered your operating system. Perhaps a silent Trojan has dropped this infection without your notice using existing security vulnerabilities? And maybe you executed it yourself by opening a misleading spam email attachment? It is important to understand how this malware got in because you want to learn from your mistakes. For example, if a spam email was involved, you need to be more cautious about the messages you receive in the future. In fact, it is best if you delete them without any hesitation. Note that corrupted emails could easily come from known senders if their accounts are hijacked, and so you need to be extra cautious at all times. Once Kronos Ransomware is executed successfully, files are corrupted instantly. You should be able to identify them quickly by looking at the names because the “.Email=[Rezcrypt@cock.li]ID=[{unique ID}].KRONOS“ extension should be added. Next to the corrupted files, you should find the “HowToDecrypt.txt” file. If you want to remove this file, go ahead, it is a component of ransomware, and so it deserves it. However, if you are interested in what the attackers want from you, open it and read the message.

According to the message, your personal files were encrypted and now you need to obtain a decryption tool. To obtain it, you are instructed to send an ID code included in the message to Rezcrypt@cock.li along with a file that is no bigger than 1MB. After that, you are supposed to pay a ransom in Bitcoin and that, allegedly, would grant you access to a decryptor. The message also warns against using third-party applications and “recovery tools” to restore the files. Most likely, you are given this warning in case a free decryptor emerges, which was not the case at the time of research. Obviously, we do not recommend paying the ransom or even communicating with the attacker behind Kronos Ransomware because we do not believe that anything good would come out of it. Even if the ransom is small, you would be risking your virtual security by exposing yourself to the attackers via email. Ideally, you have backup copies of your files someplace else, and you can easily replace the corrupted files once you delete Kronos Ransomware.

The instructions that you can find below might not be the most useful if you cannot identify the launcher of Kronos Ransomware. Where is this file? What is its name? Unfortunately, we cannot know this, and so we cannot lead you right to it. Your best bet is to delete recently downloaded files and then employ a free malware scanner to check whether or not you succeeded at the removal of Kronos Ransomware. Of course, that is what you should do if you want to delete the infection manually. We recommend that you have this threat eliminated automatically, which anti-malware software can do for you. This software can also secure your operating system to keep it malware-free in the future, and that might be the more important reason to install it overall. We hope that you can replace the corrupted files with backups, but if you cannot, make sure that you learn from this mistake as well. Always backup your personal files!

Kronos Ransomware Removal

1. Delete recently downloaded files if they are linked to the infection (make sure before removal).
2. Delete the ransom note file named HowToDecrypt.txt.
3. Empty Recycle Bin.
4. Install a legitimate malware scanner and use it to check for leftover threats.