Researchers from Proofpoint have revealed information about a ransomware called CryptFile2. They have given it this name, because of one of its malware samples. Proofpoint share that the ransomware has started raging in the middle of March, this year. The ransomware asks victims to contact the creators and pay an unknown sum of money in BitCoins to get their files back. Files with more than 1200 different extensions get encrypted by this ransomware.
To remove the ransomware and see how to restore your files, you should read the full article.
Threat Summary
| Name | CryptFile2 |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files with the RSA algorithm and asks for payment in BitCoins. |
| Symptoms | Files with more than 1200 extensions are encrypted. Files with ransom instructions are put in every directory with locked files. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Exploit Kits |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss CryptFile2. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
CryptFile2 Ransomware – Delivery
CryptFile2 ransomware is delivered mainly through Exploit Kits. Although, it is not excluded there to be spam emails spreading attachments with the malware inside. The malicious code could be hidden in the body of emails as well. So, just opening such an email might trigger the silent download of the malware on your system.
Exploit kits that are discovered to deliver this threat are the well-known Nuclear Exploit Kit and Neutrino.
Your PC can get infected from exploit kits and malware code spread throughout social network sites and file sharing services. A good prevention method is to avoid all suspicious files and web links you come across.
CryptFile2 Ransomware – Information
The CryptFile2 malware is classified by researchers as ransomware. Last week, Proofpoint researchers shared details about it. They gave the ransomware that name, after a debug string in one of the samples they were investigating. If you get infected, the malware will encrypt your most important files along with lots of different file types. It is not excluded for CryptFile2 to make entries in the Windows Registry with the goal of automatically load with each start of the Windows OS.
CryptFile2 will put two files in each directory that has encrypted files. They contain the ransomware instructions and have the following names:
- HELP_YOUR_FILES.html
- HELP_YOUR_FILES.txt
You can see an example of one of the files here:
You are given a random ID. The instructions read:
NOT YOUR LANGUAGE? USE hxxps://translate.google.com
What happened to your files?
All of your files were protected by a strong encryption with RSA-2048. More information about the encryption keys RSA-2048 can be found here: hxxp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(cryptosystem)
How did this happen?
!!!Specially for your PC was generated personal RSA-2048 KEY, both public and private.
!!! ALL YOUR FILES were encrypted with the public key, which has been transferred to your computer via the Internet.
!!! Decrypting of your files is only possible with the help of the private key and decrypt program, which is on our Secret Server.What do I do?
So, there are two ways you can choose: wait for a miracle and get your pride doubled, or start obtaining BITCOIN NOW!, and restore your data easy way. If You have really valuable data, you better not waste your time, because there is no other way to get your files, except make a payment.
For more specific instructions:Contact is by email only, send us an email along with your ID number and wait for further instructions. Our specialist will contact you within 12 hours. For you to be sure, that we can decrypt your files – you can send us a single encrypted file and we will send you back it in a decrypted form. This will be your guarantee.
E-MAIL1: pchelp_@_post.com
E-MAIL2: xerx_@_usa.com
YOUR_ID:
Payment is expected to be paid in BitCoins, although the ransomware creators have not specified what amount. They have put two emails for contact.
Paying whatever price as ransom to the cyber criminals is far from advised. Not only you might not your files decrypted, but you might also not even receive an answer. Giving the criminals money might inspire them to continue making ransomware or something worse. Usually, this results in a stronger and improved variant of ransomware they have created in the past.
The CryptFile2 ransomware searches to lock files with more than 1200 different extensions, according to Proofpoint security researchers. The RSA encryption algorithm is used. Some of the file extensions are:
→.3gp, .7z, .ads, .asf, .asx, .ba, .bank, .bgt, .bik, .bkp, .bpw, .cdf, .cer, .ce1, .ce2, .cgm, .class, .cls, .cpp, .craw, .csh, .csl, .csv, .ddd, .der, .dng, .dxg, .eml, .exf, .ffd, .fff, .flac, .fla, .flv, .gray, .h, .hpp, .ibd, .indd, .java, .key, .laccdb, .m4v, .maf, .mam, .maw, .mdc, .mfw, .mp4, .mpg, .mso, .ndd, .nef, .nsg, .nwb, .odc, .odf, .odg, .odp, .one, .oth, .p7b, .pat, .pbo, .pcd, .pct, .pps, .ppsm, .ppsx, .pspimage, .psafe3, .pub, .qbw, .r3d, .raf, .rar, .rat, .raw, .rwz, .sas7bdat, .sda, .srf, .srt, .srw, .stc, .std, .sti, .st, .vob, .vsd, .vtx, .wav, .wmv, .wpd, .xlc, .xlm, .xlr, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .m4a, .wma, .zip, .unrec, .scan, .tax, .icxs, .hkdb, .mdbackup, .syncdb, .gho, .wmo, .fos, .mov, .vdf, .tmp, .sis, .menu, .layout, .blob, .vcf, .tor, .psk, .lvl, .xxx, .wallet, .wotreplay, .desc, .m3u, .js, .rb, .hkx, .forge, .rim, .vpp_pc, .pak, .rgs, .lrf
After file encryption, all files will have an extension .id_[yourid]_[ransomemail].scl, where yourID is your personal ID number and one of the following emails will be used:
- pchelp@post.com
- xerx@usa.com
The CryptFile2 ransomware encrypts backup and temporary files found on an infected computer’s internal disk storage. If that happens, then Shadow Volume Copies are probably deleted from Windows.
Remove CryptFile2 Ransomware and Restore Encrypted Files
If your computer is infected by the CryptFile2 ransomware, you should have a little experience with removing malware. You should remove the malware as soon as possible as it may encrypt more files over the network you use or files from external storage devices if you try using a backup. So, it is recommended that you first remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions given below.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for CryptFile2 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall CryptFile2 and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by CryptFile2 on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by CryptFile2 there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove CryptFile2
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by CryptFile2.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and CryptFile2 aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
CryptFile2-FAQ
What is CryptFile2 Ransomware?
CryptFile2 is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does CryptFile2 Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does CryptFile2 Infect?
Via several ways.CryptFile2 Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of CryptFile2 is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open .CryptFile2 files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .CryptFile2 files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .CryptFile2 files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".CryptFile2" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .CryptFile2 files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of CryptFile2 Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate CryptFile2 ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .CryptFile2 files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can CryptFile2 Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the CryptFile2 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this CryptFile2 how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the CryptFile2 ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
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- Always check "About Us" web page.
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