What is GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware? And how does it execute its attack?

GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware is the latest variant of GandCrab ransomware which follows the GANDCRAB V4.1 variant. This new variant still uses the same extension which is .KRAB in marking its encrypted files. According to security experts, there are some slight changes to this new variant as well.
Once it infects a computer, GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware will drop its malicious payload in the system and employs a data gathering module in order to harvest information about the system and the user. The harvested information is used for stealth protection which allows the crypto-malware to execute its attack without any interference. Further analysis also showed that constant monitoring is enforced on the infected system to monitor changes in both the operating system settings, Windows Registry values, files and many more. It also showed that the engine has the ability to interact with the system volume manager which means that the crypto-malware will have access to the removable storage devices and shared networks. Thus, if the infected computer is connected to multiple shared networks, GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware can also potentially trigger a whole network takeover.
In addition, the analysis also showed that this crypto-malware can modify the web browser settings to redirect victims to a webpage controlled by the attackers. And like most ransomware threats, GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware also modifies and creates entries in the Windows Registry to allow it to run on every system boot making it a persistent threat.
It is also worth noting the difference between this new variant and the previous GandCrab variant. This new variant creates a specific mutex value. It turns out that under certain conditions this will block the operation of the crypto-virus which means that it might have also been created as a killswitch variant, an upgraded weapon or just a new ransomware – whichever the case is, this new GandCrab variant is definitely dangerous.
After it encrypts files, it adds the .KRAB extension to each one of them and opens a ransom note with the following content:
“—= GANDCRAB 4 =—
Attention!
All your files, documents. photos, databases and other important files are encrypted and have the
extension: .KRAB
The only method of recovering files is to purchase an unique private key. Only we can give you this key
and only we can recover your files.
The server with your key is in a closed network TOR. You can get there by the following ways:
——————————————————————————–
|0. Download Tor browser – https://www.torproject.org/
|1. Install Tor browser
|2. Open Tor Browser
|3. Open link in TOR browser: http://gandcrabmfe6mnef.onion/
|4. Follow the instructions on this page
———————————————————————————
On our page, you will see instructions on payment and have the opportunity to decrypt 1 file for free.
ATTENTION!
IN ORDER TO PREVENT DATA DAMAGE:
* DO NOT MODIFY ENCRYPTED FILES
* DO NOT CHANGE DATA BELOW
—BEGIN GANDCRAB KEY—
—END GANDCRAB KEY—
—BEGIN PC DATA—
—END PC DATA—”
How does GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware spread online?
Like its predecessors, GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware spreads using spam emails. Crooks behind this new variant uses the most common method as it is proven to be successful in spreading ransomware infections so you need to be more cautious in opening emails.
To terminate GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware from your system, here’s what you have to do:
Step 1: Restart your PC and boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt by pressing F8 a couple of times until the Advanced Options menu appears.

Step 2: Navigate to Safe Mode with Command Prompt using the arrow keys on your keyboard. After selecting Safe Mode with Command Prompt, hit Enter.
Step 3: After loading the Command Prompt type cd restore and hit Enter.

Step 4: After cd restore, type in rstrui.exe and hit Enter.

Step 5: A new window will appear, and then click Next.

Step 6: Select any of the Restore Points on the list and click Next. This will restore your computer to its previous state before being infected with the GANDCRAB V4.4  Ransomware. A dialog box will appear and then click Yes.

Step 7: After System Restore has been completed, try to enable the disabled Windows services.

1. Press Win + R keys to launch Run.
2. Type in gpedit.msc in the box and press Enter to open Group Policy.
3. Under Group Policy, navigate to:
   1. User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System
4. After that, open Prevent access to the command prompt.
5. Select Disable to enable cmd
6. Click the OK button
7. After that, go to:
   1. Configuration\Administrative Templates\System
8. Double click on the Prevent Access to registry editing tools.
9. Choose Disabled and click OK.
10. Navigate to :
    1. User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System>Ctrl+Alt+Del Options
11. Double click on Remove Task Manager.
12. And then set its value to Disabled.

Step 8: Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc at the same time. Proceed to the Processes tab and look for the malicious processes of GANDCRAB V4.4  Ransomware such as “random.exe” and “explorer.exe” then end them all.

Step 9: Open Control Panel by pressing Start key + R to launch Run and type appwiz.cpl in the search box and click OK to open the list of installed programs. From there, look for GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware or any malicious program and then Uninstall it.

Step 10: Tap Windows + E keys to open the File Explorer then navigate to the following directories and delete the malicious files created by GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware.

• %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
• %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
• %TEMP%

Step 11: 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 12: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.

Step 13: Navigate to the paths listed below and delete all the registry values added by GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware.

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\International
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Keyboard Layout\Preload
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\keys_data\data
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wbem\CIMOM
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Tcpip\Parameters

Step 14: Close the Registry Editor and empty your Recycle Bin.
You have to continue the GANDCRAB V4.4 ransomware removal process using a reliable program like [product-name] once you’re done with the steps given above. 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.