Ransomware is quickly becoming a major threat in the cyber space since it’s easy to use, hard to track and decrypt and the ROI is high. As a result, it’s evolving and improving with horrific speed.
Cry ransomware, for example, also known as Central Security Treatment Organization and CSTO uses the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to communicate and Imgur and Google Maps to spread itself. Although it’s a rather simple encryption Trojan, and not sophisticated like Zepto or Cerber3, Cry ransomware should not be underrated as no decryption for it has yet been found, and experts say it has affected 8,000 users in just 2 weeks.
Threat Summary
| Name | Cry (CSTO) Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | Encrypts the user’s files with a strong encryption algorithm and requests to contact e-mail address to make a ransom payoff of approximately 2000 dolalrs in BitCoin. |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted and become inaccessible and a .cry file extension is being added to them. A ransom note is left as a text file on the desktop. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss Bart Ransomware. |
| 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. |
Cry (CSTO) Ransomware Virus Uses UDP, Imgur and Google Maps to Collect and Communicate Victims’ Data
The User Datagram Protocol, or UDP, is the perfect protocol for network applications such as gaming, voice and video communications due to its low perceived latency and good quality. UDP is also used for applications requiring lossless data transmission.
The creators of Cry (CSTO) ransomware have chosen to use the UDP protocol in order to hide the location of the command and control server (C&C server). Once Cry infects a computer, it will gather information on the host such as the Windows and OS version, username, CPU type, installed service pack, etc. Then it will “communicate” that information via the UDP to 4096 different IP addresses, among which will be the hidden C&C server.
On another side, Cry uses Google Maps API to determine the victim’s location via Server Set Identifiers (SSIDs) of wireless networks in the given area. Experts have not yet, however, discovered why the Cry developers would need the victims’ locations.
BleepingComputer.com reported that Cry ransomware would also use websites such as Imgur.com and Pastee.org to host the collected information about the victims. Cry would then encrypt the collected information and compile it in a fake PNG file, and would send it to a photo gallery on Imgur.com. In return, Imgur would rename the PNG file and “communicate” the new name via the UDP protocol to the C&C server.
According to researchers at Invincea, Cerber ransomware has also used similar technique with the UDP protocol in order to hide the C&C server location.
Cry (CSTO) Ransomware Virus In Detail
Cry ransomware also uses the name of a fake security organization – Central Security Treatment Organization – probably in order to appear legitimate to the users and thus to be more convincing as to why they need to pay the demanded ransom fee, which is 1.1 bitcoin, or $625. The Department of Pre-Trial Settlement or the Federal Agency of Investigation are also non-existent.
Once Cry ransomware is inside the computer, it will encrypt the victims’ sensitive data consisting of the following file types: BAT, TXT, LOG, DAT, MP3, JPG, WMV, BMP, XML, HTML, CSS and JS. The encrypted files will receive the .cry extension, hence the name of the ransomware. It will then delete the Shadow Volume Copies to prevent victims from restoring their files without paying the ransom.
Cry will then drop the ransom notes named “Recovery_[random_chars].html” and “!Recovery_[random_chars].txtencrypts” on the victim’s desktop with instructions.
The ransom note reads like this:
‘WARNING!
DOCUMENTS, DATABASES, PROJECT FILES, AUDIO AND VIDEO CONTENT AND OTHER CRITICAL FILES
HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED WITH A PERSISTENT MILITARY-GRADE CRYPTO ALGORITHM
How did this happen?
Specially for your PC was generated personal 4096 bit RSA key, both public and private.
All your files have been encrypted with the public key.
Decrypting of your files is only possible with the help of the private key and de-crypt program.
What do I do?
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’
The victims are instructed on where they should click to pay the ransom fee.
Cry (CSTO) Ransomware Virus Removal
As mentioned earlier, Cry is quickly spreading around as it reached 8,000 infected users in just 2 weeks. Decryptors have not yet been developed and if your system has been attacked by Cry, we urge you to not pay the demanded amount. Cyber criminals may never send you a decryption key, and even if they do, Cry will remain in your system and may strike again.
It’s best to remove the virus from your system as soon as possible. Only then you could wait for a decryptor to be released or try to use a file recovery program to restore some of your data if possible.
Below you’ll find instructions on how to manually remove Cry, or what program to use to automatically remove the virus for you.
Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Cry (CSTO) Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Cry (CSTO) Ransomware from Mac OS X.
How to Remove Cry (CSTO) Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Cry (CSTO) Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall Cry (CSTO) Ransomware and related software 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 uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Cry (CSTO) Ransomware 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 Cry (CSTO) Ransomware 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: Scan for Cry (CSTO) Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Cry (CSTO) Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Cry (CSTO) Ransomware 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of Cry (CSTO) Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Cry (CSTO) Ransomware and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Cry (CSTO) Ransomware via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Cry (CSTO) Ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Cry (CSTO) Ransomware 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Cry (CSTO) Ransomware FAQ
What is Cry (CSTO) Ransomware ransomware and how does it work?
Cry (CSTO) Ransomware 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 algorithm how 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.
How does Cry (CSTO) Ransomware ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Cry (CSTO) Ransomware Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of Cry (CSTO) Ransomware 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 .Cry (CSTO) Ransomware files?
You can't. At this point the .Cry (CSTO) Ransomware files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Cry (CSTO) Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Cry (CSTO) Ransomware ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Cry (CSTO) Ransomware" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Cry (CSTO) Ransomware files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Cry (CSTO) Ransomware ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Cry (CSTO) Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Cry (CSTO) Ransomware files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Cry (CSTO) Ransomware ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to 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.
