How to remove Leitkcad Ransomware and decrypt .leitcad files

What is Leitkcad Ransomware

Leitkcad is a pure example of crypto-malware that runs encryption over personal data to garner a so-called ransom. The most vivid symptoms hinting at the Leitkcad’s presence is the assignment of .leitkcad extension. In other words, it will be seen at the end of each file affected by malware. For example, a file like 1.mp4 will be changed to 1.mp4.leitkcad and reset its original icon. Then, once all of the files are changed, the virus moves to the next phase creating a note called help-leitkcad.txt. It contains information on the encryption as well as instructions to restore your data.

Cybercriminals say that you should contact an operator and fill in your ID, personal key, and e-mail via the chat page. The link to it can be opened only by using the Tor browser, which has to be downloaded by victims. Then, after establishing contact with cybercriminals, you will receive further instructions on how to purchase the decryption software. Also, it is worth-noting that rebooting and altering encrypted files can lead to permanent loss. Extortionists set certain algorithms that help them detect your activity. This means that if you refuse to comply with any of the above warnings, your files will be deleted momentarily. Unfortunately, there are no third-party instruments that could decrypt data affected by Leitkcad Ransomware at this moment. Although the only option seems to be paying the ransom, we recommend you against it because there is a risk of getting financially fooled. The best decision, in this case, would be deleting Leitkcad Ransomware and recovering your data from a backup copy. If you do not have one created prior to the infection, you can still try to decrypt your data using some third-party utilities. All of the steps to run both uninstallation and decryption of data can be found in the article below.

How Leitkcad Ransomware infected your computer

There are tons of ways how ransomware could penetrate your PC such as trojans, unprotected RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, fake software cracking tools, and many more. However, the most popular one is via e-mail spam bundled with malicious attachments. In other words, users receive messages from figures disguised as legitimate companies. They ask you to download or open the files attached in the message for some good purpose. In reality, no matter what these files are claimed to be meant for, such an action will lead to the installation of malware like Leitkcad Ransomware. You will not even be able to spot it, as such infections are usually run in the background mode. To prevent this next time around, you should be cautious and avoid interacting with unknown content. As an additional measure, you can make use of anti-malware software that will warn and prevent interacting with dangerous content. To learn more about it, we offer to walk through the article presented below.

1. Download Leitkcad Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .leitkcad 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 Leitkcad Ransomware

Leitkcad Ransomware files:


README.txt
{randomfilename}.exe


Leitkcad Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .leitkcad files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .leitkcad 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 .leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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 .leitkcad 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 Leitkcad 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 storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Leitkcad 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.