How to remove Gru Ransomware and decrypt .gru files

What is Gru Ransomware

Gru Ransomware blocks access to personal data to earn money on demanding a so-called ransom. Such malware runs file encryption with strong algorithms that prevent users from approaching free decryption. The virus adds the .gru extension to each encrypted file. To illustrate, 1.pdf or any other similar file will change to 1.pdf.gru and reset its original icon. Such changes will be applied to most types of data stored on your system. To regain access to your data, victims are asked to follow instructions outlined inside of the read_it.txt text note, which is created after encryption.

Cybercriminals state there is no way to decipher your data without buying special software. The price of such software is established at 1,500$ to be paid in BTC. The payment address can be found at the very bottom of the text note. Unlike other ransomware programs, Gru developers do not ask their victims to establish any sort of contact with them (by e-mail or Tor link). Therefore, It is uncertain how are they going to send you the decryption software once you deliver the money. Thus, trusting Gru Ransomware in terms of paying the ransom is quite a huge risk. Even though its developers might be the only figures able to decrypt your entire data, we recommend against sending your money. It is way better to delete Gru Ransomware and recover your data using backup copies. If you do not have much copies available to offset the encrypted data, it is necessary to remove Gru Ransomware from your computer nonetheless. Otherwise, it may continue running data encryption or even spread to neighboring networks. More information on removal and PC protection can be found further down this guide.

How Gru Ransomware infected your computer

There are a plethora of distribution methods that can be used by cybercriminals to deliver ransomware-like infections. The most popular are trojans, fake software updaters, P2P (peer-to-peer) networks (eMule, torrents, etc.), fake download sources (free file hosting websites), and spam emails bundled with malvertising attachments. Trojans are used to open “backdoors” for other malware to infiltrate your system. Fake update tools infect the system by exploiting obsolete software flaws or simply downloading and installing malware rather than updates. P2P networks and other shady download sources present malware as legitimate software and trick users into downloading it. E-mail spam usually incorporates infectious attachments that come in various formats (e.g. PDF, Word documents, EXE, or JavaScript files). If you dare click on one of these files, you are likely to catch ransomware into your PC. This is why attentiveness and self-awareness should be in priority whilst surfing the web. Below, you will find a list of advice on how to protect your system from such threats in the future.

1. Download Gru Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .gru files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like Gru Ransomware

Gru Ransomware files:


read_it.txt
{randomname}.exe


Gru Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .gru files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .gru 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 .gru files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of 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 Gru Ransomware and removed it 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 .gru files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Gru Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

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. Gru 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.