What is CryptoNar ransomware? And how does it carry out its attack?

CryptoNar ransomware is one of the new file-encrypting threats that’s been discovered lately. This crypto-malware was uncovered in a new attack campaign encrypting victims’ files with the .CryptoNar extension. According to security experts, the captured samples of this threat appears to be its test versions. Thus, the files encrypted by this threat can still be restored.
Based on its code snippets, it reveals that CyptoNar ransomware contains some code snippets from a previous infection called CryptoJoker so it is possible that CryptoNar is a new and improved version of the latter. It begins to carry out its attack by using an information gathering module which is set to obtain data about the infected computer and the user. The information it obtains is then used for stealth protection, avoiding detection from security programs in the system. After that, it makes further modifications in the system by creating and changing some entries in the Windows Registry allowing the crypto-malware to automatically run every time a user boots the computer. Once all these changes are completed, it begins the encryption process using a sophisticated encryption cipher. Once the encryption is done, it adds the .CryptoNar extension to every encrypted file and releases a ransom note named “CryptoNar RECOVERY INFORMATION.txt” which contains a lengthy message that states:
“Your important files including photos, videos, documents, databases, etc. were encrypted with our CryptoNar ransomware. The only way to get your files back is to pay us. otherwise, your files will be lost forever. Important note: Removing CryptoNar will not restore access to your encrypted files. Encryption was made using a unique RSA-2048 public key generated for this computer. To decrypt files you need to acquire the private key (decryption key). The only copy of the private key, which will allow you to decrypt your files, is located on a secret server on the Internet; the server will eliminate the key after 72 hours since its generation (since the moment your computer was infected). once this has been done, nobody will ever be able to restore your files. In order to receive your decryption key, you will have to pay $200 in bitcoins to this Bitcoin address: 1FeutvrveiF8odnnx9Rr3cyBfFiecFeKwRq when time comes to send the bitcoins to us, make sure to include your e-mail and your personal ID (you can see it below) in the extra information box (it may appear also as ‘Extra Note or ‘optional message’) in order to get your personal decryption key. It may take up to 6-8 hours to take your personal decryption key. After the payment was made, and you received your decryption key, just press the decryption button in the decryptor (located on the desktop). Enter the decryption key you received, and wait until the decryption process is done. Your ID: [redacted]”
How does CryptoNar ransomware spread over the web?
Like other typical ransomware threats, CryptoNar ransomware spreads via spam emails that use various social engineering tactics. The crooks behind this threat aim to coerce victims into interacting with some malicious content or file that lead to CryptoNar infection. Thus, you need to be more careful in opening email attachments.
Follow the removal guide laid out below to eliminate CryptoNar ransomware from your PC.
Step 1: Tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step 2: Go to the Processes and Applications tab and look for the malicious processes of CryptoNar ransomware then right click on them and select End Process or End Task.

Step 3: Close the Task Manager and open Control Panel by pressing the Windows key + R, then type in appwiz.cpl and then click OK or press Enter.
Step 4: Look for dubious programs that might by related to CryptoNar ransomware and then Uninstall it/them.

Step 5: Tap Win + E to launch File Explorer.
Step 6: After opening File Explorer, navigate to the following directories below and look for CryptoNar ransomware’s malicious components like CryptoNar RECOVERY INFORMATION.txt, [random].exe and other suspicious-looking files and then remove them all.

• %TEMP%
• %APPDATA%
• %DESKTOP%
• %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
• C:\ProgramData\local\

Step 7: Close the File Explorer.
Before you proceed to the next steps below, make sure that you are tech savvy enough to the point where you know exactly how to use and navigate your computer’s Registry. Keep in mind that any changes you make will highly impact your computer. To save you the trouble and time, you can just use [product-name], this system tool is proven to be safe and excellent enough that hackers won’t be able to hack into it. But if you can manage Windows Registry well, then, by all means, go on to the next steps.
Step 8: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.

Step 9: Navigate to the listed paths below and look for the registry keys and sub-keys created by CryptoNar ransomware.

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

Step 10: Next, delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by CryptoNar ransomware.
Step 11: Close the Registry Editor.
Step 12: Finally, empty the contents of your Recycle Bin.
Recover .CryptoNar encrypted files using the Volume Shadow copies
Restoring your encrypted files using Windows’ Previous Versions feature will only be effective if CryptoNar ransomware hasn’t deleted the shadow copies of your files. But still, this is one of the best and free methods there is, so it’s definitely worth a shot.
To restore the encrypted file, right-click on it and select Properties, a new window will pop-up, then proceed to Previous Versions. It will load the file’s previous version before it was modified. After it loads, select any of the previous versions displayed on the list like the one in the illustration below. And then click the Restore button.

Once you’re done executing the steps given above, you need to continue the removal process of CryptoNar ransomware using a reliable program like [product-name]. How? Follow the advanced removal steps below.
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
2. After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

3. To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
4. Windows will now load the SafeMode with Networking.
5. Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

6. If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
7. Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
8. After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
9. Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.

10. After the scan is completed click the “Fix, Clean & Optimize Now”button.