How to remove Kafan Ransomware and decrypt .kafan files

What is Kafan Ransomware

Kafan is a new ransomware virus that infects Windows users in order to encrypt personal data and extort money for its decryption from victims. Once installed, the ransomware will run a quick scan of the stored data and start the encryption process using strong cryptographic algorithms. In addition, the malware will also assign its own .kafan extension to distinguish locked files. For instance, a file originally named 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.kafan and become no longer accessible. Lastly, the file encryptor generates a ransom note called help_you.txt with instructions on how to return the data.

The ransom message necessitates victims to send an e-mail message to cybercriminals (PYTHONHAVENONAME@163.COM) and pay for decryption. While sending the message, victims are also asked to write their ID in the message title/subject. The price for decryption is said to depend on how fast victims establish communication with the attackers. Cybercriminals employ such manipulation techniques to put extra pressure on victims and potentially force them into agreeing to pay the ransom. Unfortunately, initial ransomware developers are usually the only figures able to fully decrypt access to victims’ files. Sometimes, it may be possible to run successful decryption with the help of third-party tools, however, this is a rare occasion that works in favor of victims only in cases when ransomware is bugged or failed to run the proper encryption. Unless you have an available backup that can be used for recovering copies of encrypted data, paying extortionists might be the only way to return your files.

However, please note that using your own backups is always the safest recovery option victims can opt for. Some threat actors fool their victims and do not send any decryption tools even after the ransom is paid. If you neither have access to data backups nor want to risk paying the ransom, you can still give a try to third-party tools discussed in our guide. However, we are unable to guarantee that they will be 100% effective due to the aforementioned. Otherwise, if losing the encrypted data is an acceptable option for you, you can also not do anything and simply delete the ransomware infection. Whether you are going to try your own recovery, pay the ransom, or not do anything whatsoever, it is important to get rid of Kafan Ransomware first. This way you will ensure it does not encrypt other pieces of data and does not spread to other neighboring systems within the same network. Use our guide below to do so and learn how to protect yourself against such threats in the future.

How Kafan Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware is known to penetrate systems using fishing e-mail spam letters, trojans, deceptive third-party downloads, fake software updates/installers, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, system exploits, and other channels as well. Most of these channels aspire to fool inexperienced users into executing some malicious file. For instance, ransomware or trojan developers quite often send e-mail letters that are disguised as legitimate companies/entities (e.g., delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, and so forth). By claiming ostensible “importance” and/or “urgency” of such letters, threat actors trick inexperienced users into opening malicious attachments disguised as genuine files (.DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS extensions). Once a malicious file is opened, a virus like ransomware will be successfully installed unless there is a special anti-malware program that can detect and block it immediately. Do not trust such messages and download software/files only from trustworthy and genuine sources. We recommend you read our article below to learn more practical information about how to protect yourself against such and similar threats in the future.

1. Download Kafan Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .kafan 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 Kafan Ransomware

Kafan Ransomware files:


help_you.txt
{randomname}.exe


Kafan Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .kafan files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .kafan 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 .kafan 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 Kafan 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 .kafan 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 Kafan 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. Kafan 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.