How to remove CryptoWall 4.0 (HELP_YOUR_FILES) and decrypt files

What is CryptoWall 4.0 ransomware

CryptoWall 4.0 – is a new version of a well-known CryptoWall ransomware, which encrypts many users documents and files. After encrypting process user may notice that most of his/her files are renamed and have another file extension, so user can’t recognize and use files. Also CryptoWall create files with name HELP_YOUR_FILES, where developers describe situation and offer own decryptor program for about 2 bitcoins. Of course, it is not guaranteed, that cyber crooks will send user a decryptor, but even if they will, we don’t recommend to pay them. Why? Because it motivate them to create another ransomware. Better remove CryptoWall 4.0 manually and restore encrypted files.

There is a list of file types, which can be affected by CryptoWall 4.0 ransomware:

.sql, .mp4, .7z, .rar, .m4a, .wma, .avi, .wmv, .csv, .d3dbsp, .zip, .sie, .sum, .ibank, .t13, .t12, .qdf, .gdb, .sid, .ncf, .menu, .layout, .dmp, .blob, .esm, .vcf, .vtf, .dazip, .fpk, .mlx, .kf, .iwd, .vpk, .tor, .psk, .rim, .w3x, .fsh, .ntl, .arch00, .lvl, .snx, .cfr, .ff, .vpp_pc, .lrf, .m2, .mcmeta, .vfs0, .mpqge, .kdb, .db0, .dba, .rofl, .hkx, .bar, .upk, .das, .iwi, .litemod, .asset, .forge, .ltx, .bsa, .apk, .re4, .sav, .lbf, .slm, .bik, .epk, .rgss3a, .pak, .big, wallet, .wotreplay, .xxx, .desc, .py, .m3u, .flv, .js, .css, .rb, .png, .jpeg, .txt, .p7c, .p7b, .p12, .pfx, .pem, .crt, .cer, .der, .x3f, .srw, .pef, .ptx, .r3d, .rw2, .rwl, .raw, .raf, .orf, .nrw, .mrwref, .mef, .erf, .kdc, .dcr, .cr2, .crw, .bay, .sr2, .srf, .arw, .3fr, .dng, .jpe, .jpg, .cdr, .indd, .ai, .eps, .pdf, .pdd, .psd, .dbf, .mdf, .wb2, .rtf, .wpd, .dxg, .xf, .dwg, .pst, .accdb, .mdb, .pptm, .pptx, .ppt, .xlk, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xls, .wps, .docm, .docx, .doc, .odb, .odc, .odm, .odp, .ods, .tax, .pkpass, .bc6, .bc7, .bkp, .qic, .bkf, .sidn, .sidd, .mddata, .itl, .itdb, .icxs, .hvpl, .hplg, .hkdb, .mdbackup, .syncdb, .gho, .cas, .svg, .map, .wmo, .itm, .sb, .fos, .mov, .vdf, .ztmp, .sis, .odt

There are two solutions of this problem. One is to use special Removal Tool. Removal Tools delete all instances of malware by few clicks and help user to save time. Or you can use Manual Removal Guide. Manual Removal Guides help user to remove malware manually. This method needs time and knowledge at IT sphere.

CryptoWall 4.0 Removal Guide

1. Download CryptoWall 4.0 Removal Tool.
2. Remove CryptoWall 4.0 from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
3. How to Decrypt CryptoWall files.
4. How to restore system to previous “condition”.
5. How to protect PC from future infections.

CryptoWall 4.0 Automated Removal Tools:

Download Norton Security

Use removal tool to uninstall CryptoWall 4.0. Trial version of Malwarebytesdetects CryptoWall 4.0 ransomware and assists in its removal for FREE.

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Manual CryptoWall 4.0 Removal Guide

Below is step-by-step instructions to remove CryptoWall 4.0 from Windows and Mac computers. Follow this steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to CryptoWall 4.0. First of all, you will need to run system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.

Uninstall CryptoWall 4.0 from Windows or Mac

Windows 7/Vista:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to CryptoWall 4.0 by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows 8/8.1:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to CryptoWall 4.0 by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows 10:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to CryptoWall 4.0 by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows XP:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to CryptoWall 4.0 by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Mac OS:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press and Hold Shift button, before system will be loaded;
3. Release Shift button, when Apple logo appears;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to CryptoWall 4.0 by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

How to decrypt CryptoWall files

After CryptoWall 4.0 is removed, you want to decrypt your documents and files. There are different decrypting tools, that can help you.
After removing CryptoWall 4.0, you can try to decrypt CryptoWall files. All you need is decrypting tool. There may be a trouble – not all files can be decrypted and restored, it is depends on ransomware.
One of those programs is Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor. This software decrypt a lot of types ransomware file formats. You don’t even need to find encrypted files, it will do anything by itself. You can download Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor here.
Download TrendMicro Decryptor

How to restore encrypted files

If you can’t remove and decrypt files or just don’t want to use those instructions, you can try to restore system from recovery point by using special tools: Previous Versions, System Restore, Shadow Explorer. Be sure, that you have saved recovery point, otherwise you can’t do anything with some tools.

Restore encrypted files using Shadow Explorer

Shadow Explorer – is good software with simple interface, that gives an access to “shadow copies”.

1. Run the Shadow Explorer;
2. Choose local disk, that contains needed files (sector 1 on picture);
3. Choose time period, when files weren’t encrypted (sector 2 on picture);
4. Find needed files and folders, after this right-click them and Press Export;
5. Choose the export location and check files;

Restore encrypted files using Recuva

There is another program, that can help user to recover encrypted files. And this program is Recuva, software which friendly interface.

1. Run the Recuva;
2. Follow instructions and wait until scan process ends;
3. Find needed files, mark them and Press Recover button;

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Since CryptoWall 4.0 classified as ransomware, it needs a method to infiltrate into personal computer. And the most usable method is attaching to e-mail with messages, that provocate to open attached document.

Be careful while reading e-mail from unknown and suspicious users. Also, you can install various programs, which will stop any actions from suspicious applications, like ransomware. The most popular programs are:
HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard, Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware and CryptoPrevent. Those programs may detect many known ransomware and some unknown ransomware. It is recommended to use such programs for safety of your personal documents and files in future.