Get a fast solution to remove Cicada 3301 Ransomware and get technical assistance with decryption of encrypted files. Download an effective removal tool and perform a full scan of your PC.
What is Cicada 3301 Ransomware
Originating in the summer of 2024, Cicada 3301 Ransomware is a formidable cyber threat designed to encrypt data and extort victims for payment. Written in the Rust programming language, it is a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), meaning it is available for use by other cybercriminals through a subscription model. Once activated on a victim’s system, this ransomware employs the ChaCha20 cryptographic algorithm, known for its swift and robust symmetric encryption, making decryption without the correct key an insurmountable challenge. The ransomware appends affected files with a seven-character random extension, drastically altering their original names and rendering them inaccessible. For example, a file named 1.jpg
may appear as 1.jpg.f11a46a1
post-encryption. Upon completion of the encryption process, the malware drops a ransom note named RESTORE-[file_extension]-DATA.txt on the victim’s system, detailing the attack and outlining the ransom demand.
*************************************
*** Welcome to Cicada3301 ***
*************************************
** What Happened? **
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Your computers and servers are encrypted, your backups are deleted.
We use strong encryption algorithms, so you won't be able to decrypt your data.
You can recover everything by purchasing a special data recovery program from us.
This program will restore your entire network.
** Data Leak **
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We have downloaded more than 1500 GB of your company data.
Contact us, or we will be forced to publish all your data on the Internet
and send it to all regulatory authorities in your country, as well as to your customers, partners, and competitors.
We are ready to:
- Provide you with proof that the data has been stolen;
- Delete all stolen data;
- Help you rebuild your infrastructure and prevent similar attacks in the future;
** What Guarantees? **
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Our reputation is of paramount importance to us.
Failure to fulfill our obligations means not working with you, which is against our interests.
Rest assured, our decryption tools have been thoroughly tested and are guaranteed to unlock your data.
Should any problems arise, we are here to support you. As a goodwill gesture,
we are willing to decrypt one file for free.
** How to Contact us? **
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Using TOR Browser:
1) You can download and install the TOR browser from this site: hxxps://torproject.org/
2) Open our website:
-
WARNING: DO NOT MODIFY or attempt to restore any files on your own. This can lead to their permanent loss.
Based on analysis and expert evaluations, decrypting files affected by Cicada 3301 Ransomware without the attackers’ involvement remains almost impossible. The attackers generally store decryption keys securely on remote servers, which means recovering data without these keys is highly unlikely. Unfortunately, no known public decryption tools can counteract the encryption by Cicada 3301. Victims are often advised against paying the ransom, as it not only emboldens criminal activity but also fails to guarantee data recovery. Instead, the recommended approach includes isolating the infected system, removing the ransomware using reliable antivirus software such as Spyhunter, and restoring files from backup storage if available. Maintaining regular, secure backups and employing robust cybersecurity measures are vital for safeguarding against such ransomware attacks in the future.
How Cicada 3301 Ransomware infects computers
Cicada 3301 Ransomware primarily infiltrates systems through deceptive methods like phishing emails, malicious attachments, and compromised websites. Often disguised as legitimate files or updates, the malware tricks users into downloading and executing it. Once activated, it scans the system for vulnerabilities and exploits them to gain administrative access. It then encrypts files using the ChaCha20 cryptographic algorithm, appending a unique seven-character extension to each affected file. The ransomware also deletes backups and exfiltrates sensitive data to pressure victims into paying a ransom for decryption keys and preventing data leaks. To mitigate the risk of infection, maintaining up-to-date antivirus software and exercising caution with unsolicited emails and downloads is crucial.
- Download Cicada 3301 Ransomware Removal Tool
- Get decryption tool for encrypted files
- Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
- Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
- Restore files with Shadow Explorer
- How to protect from threats like Cicada 3301 Ransomware
Download Removal Tool
To remove Cicada 3301 Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Cicada 3301 Ransomware. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove Cicada 3301 Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Cicada 3301 Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.
Cicada 3301 Ransomware files:
RESTORE-[file_extension]-DATA.txt
{randomname}.exe
Cicada 3301 Ransomware registry keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore encrypted files
Use automated decryptors
Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor
Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt encrypted files. Download it here:
There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.
Dr.Web Rescue Pack
Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of encrypted files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.
If you are infected with Cicada 3301 Ransomware and removed from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:
Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore encrypted files
- Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Click Recover Data button.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
- Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
- Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.
Using Windows Previous Versions option:
- Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
- Select Previous Versions tab.
- Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
- To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
- In case there are no items in the list choose an alternative method.
Using Shadow Explorer:
- Download Shadow Explorer program.
- Run it, and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
- Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
- Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
- In case there are no other dates in the list, choose an alternative method.
If you are using Dropbox:
- Login to the Dropbox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
- Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
- Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.
How to protect computer from viruses, like Cicada 3301 Ransomware, in future
1. Get special anti-ransomware software
Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware
Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.
2. Back up your files
As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Cicada 3301 Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.
3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox
Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.