This article will aid you to remove .crypt! Ransomware. Follow the ransomware removal instructions provided at the end of the article.
.crypt! Ransomware is one that encrypts your data and demands money as a ransom to get it restored. Files will receive the .crypt! extension. The .crypt! Ransomware will leave ransomware instructions as a desktop wallpaper image. Keep on reading the article and see how you could try to potentially recover some of your locked files and data.
Threat Summary
| Name | .crypt! ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files by placing the .crypt! before the affected files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will encrypt your files and leave a ransom note with payment instructions. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .crypt! 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. |
.crypt! Ransomware – Distribution Techniques
The .crypt! ransomware appears to be a modified version of the CrySiS/Dharma source code engine. There is no information available about the identity of the hacker collective behind it — as this virus is one of them most popular examples of derivative malware we presume that the criminals have ordered a custom strain from the underground hacker markets. The ready-made .crypt! ransomware samples may be send to the victims using the most popular tactics.
One of the most widely used choices remains the creation and coordination of email phishing campaigns — these messages will pose as legitimate notifications sent by companies, colleagues, systems and etc. They are configured to use similar design elements and contents as the real ones. They will include links to the dangerous files or present them as direct attachments.
The hackers can additionally create malicious web sites that impersonate legitimate and popular Internet pages: search engines, download portals, software product landing pages and etc. They are hosted on similar sounding domain names and may include security certificates — they can be both stolen or bought with fake or stolen credentials. Most of the similar ransomware infections also utilize the method of payload delivery of which there are two main types:
- Malicious Application Installers — The hackers can produce infected software installers by taking the legitimate files from their official sources and modding them with the relevant code. Often popular software that are downloaded and used by most computer users is chosen: productivity and office apps, creativity suites and even games. Whenever they are run the virus infections will follow.
- Dangerous Documents — The other popular method is to embed the virus installation scripts in documents of all popular types: text documents, spreadsheets, presentations and databases. The code is placed in the macros which will present a prompt as soon as the document is opened. The victim users will be requested to enable them by explaining that this is required in order to correctly view the file.
Both the standalone virus files and that payload carriers can be spread via file-sharing networks like BitTorrent where both pirate and legitimate files are distributed. Global ransomware releases are also done by inserting the virus installation code in browser plugins — the resulting threat is called a browser hijacker. They are done by creating extensions for the most poular web browsers and are usually uploaded to the relevant repositories. They contain not only the .crypt! ransomware code but also other malicious mechanisms which are engaged as soon as they are installed by the computer users. To make them appear as legitimate and safe plugins their descriptions will include elaborate promises of new feature additions or performance optimizations. In addition fake user reviews and developer credentials will probably be presented.
.crypt! Ransomware – Detailed Analysis
The .crpyt! ransomware as a modified version of the Dharma/CrySiS ransomware family probably exhibits the same modular approach as previous versions. This version is distinctive as it does not produce the regular signatures as observed with other similar versions. This means that it is much more difficult to detect by anti-virus products until its identification information is introduced into their malware information database.
We anticipate that the basic behavior pattern will be observed. It will call the main infection engine to carry out the configured malware actions. A list of the most popular ones is the following:
- Information Gathering — The engine can be programmed to scan the infected computers for any data that might be useful to the attackers. This is especially dangerous when it comes to personal information that can directly expose the identity of the victim users. This is done by searching for strings that contain a person’s name, address, phone number, interests and even stored account credentials. This is extremely dangerous as Dharma ransomware samples can be instructed to interact with the Windows Volume Manager which allows it to access available network shares and removable storage devices.
- Security Software Bypass — The .crypt! ransomware samples will search for security programs that can block or altogether delete the engines of security software. The list of usual applications includes anti-virus programs, firewalls, sandbox environments and virtual machine hosts.
- Windows Registry Modifications — Once the .crypt! ransomware has bypassed security it will continue with modifications to the Windows Registry values. This is very dangerous as changes to these values will lead to severe performance issues. When individual applications or system service Registry entries are modified this may break certain functions from performing properly or lead to unexpected errors.
- Boot Options Modifications — The .crypt! ransomware can be configured as a persistent threat which means that it will be set to automatically start itself when the computer boots. This will also block access to the boot options and recovery menus which are used with the manual user removal guides. This means that the victims will need to use a quality anti-spyware solution.
- Data Removal — The engine can search for files that may be critical to the normal operation of the operating system and delete them. This is dangerous as this encompasses a wide variety of data: Restore Points, Backups and Shadow Volume Copies.
- Additional Payload Delivery — Many ransomware threats of this malware family are programmed to deliver other dangerous payloads. One of the typical representatives is a Trojan horse infection which allows the hackers to take over control of the compromised machines. They can also spy on their activities and steal their files before the files are processed.
As the campaigns continue to proliferate we anticipate that other modifications to the behavior pattern might be committed.
.crypt! Ransomware – Encryption Process
Like previous Dharma malware samples the .crypt! ransomware will launch the encryption engine once all prior modules have finished running. It will probably use a built-in list of target file type extensions which are to be processed by a strong cipher. An example list can include the following data types:
- Backups
- Databases
- Archives
- Images
- Music
- Videos
All affected files will receive the .crypt! extension. The associated ransomware is crafted in a file called HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt.
Remove .crypt! Ransomware and Try to Restore Data
If your computer system got infected with the .crypt! ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Step 1: Scan for .crypt! ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .crypt! ransomware 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 .crypt! 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 .crypt! 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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .crypt! ransomware
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .crypt! ransomware.
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 .crypt! 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 the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
.crypt! ransomware-FAQ
What is .crypt! ransomware Ransomware?
.crypt! 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 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 .crypt! ransomware 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 .crypt! ransomware Infect?
Via several ways..crypt! ransomware 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 .crypt! 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 ..crypt! ransomware files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..crypt! ransomware 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 ..crypt! ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..crypt! ransomware" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..crypt! ransomware 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 .crypt! ransomware 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 .crypt! ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..crypt! ransomware 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 .crypt! ransomware 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 .crypt! ransomware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .crypt! ransomware 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 .crypt! ransomware 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.
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