This blog post aims to explain to you how to remove .crypt12 ransomware virus and how to attempt and recover files that have been encoded with the added .crypt12 file extension.
Now ransomware virus with mysterious origins has been detected to change the wallpaper on victims computers after it encrypts their important documents. The wallpaper asks for the victims to contact the e-mail mortalist_cartamen@aol.com in order to conduct a ransom payoff to restore the files encrypted by this malware with the added .crypt12 file extension. If you are one of the victims of the .crypt12 ransomware virus, we strongly recommend that you read the article below.
Threat Summary
| Name | Crypt12 |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Aims to encrypt the important files on the infected computer after which demand from the victim to pay a hefty ransom fee in order to get them decrypted. |
| Symptoms | The files are encrypted with the added .crypt12 file extension as their suffix and the wallpaper is changed to the image above this table. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Crypt12. |
| 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. |
How Does .crypt12 File Virus Spread
In order for this ransomware infection to infect your computer, it may take advantage of various different techniques, the primary of which may be to use the so-called malspam or malicious e-mail spamming techniques. Such tactics may include the distribution various different types of files, presumably with the following extensions:
→ .tmp, .dll, .cmd, .bat, .vbs, .js, .wsf, .exe
These type of files may be distributed under different pretext, possibly pretending to be legitimate invoices, receipt or other important documents.
In addition to this, malicious files belonging to .crypt12 ransomware may be detected on suspicious and unchecked sites that also offer fake setups of programs, license activators, keys and other types of seemingly legitimate files.
.crypt12 Ransomware Virus – Activity
The activity of this ransomware virus is primarily connected with modifying some aspects of Windows, just about enough to gain administrative Read and Write permissions. This is done with the assistance of multiple pre-programmed functions in the two primary malicious files of .crypt12 file virus which are dropped on your computer immediately after an infection takes place:
- crypt12.exe
- sys.bat
The first file, crypt12.exe is responsible for the encryption process, changing the wallpaper, setting registry entries and automatically executing the second file, called sys.bat. The batch file is pre-configured with a script that allows it to delete the shadow volume copies of your Windows machine, meaning it eradicates any chance of restoring your files via Windows backup. It may also perform other activities like delete Windows Registry Editor sub-keys as well as stop several services of Windows:
→ @echo off
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
reg delete “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Default” /va /f
reg delete “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Servers” /f
reg add “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Servers”
cd %userprofile%\documents\
attrib Default.rdp -s -h
del Default.rdp
for /F “tokens=*” %1 in (‘wevtutil.exe el’) DO wevtutil.exe cl
After this, the virus may also change the wallpaper of the infected computer to one with the following ransom note:
Your files Have Been Crypted email to:
mortalis_certamen@aol.com for instuctions
.crypt12 File Virus Encryption Process
In order to encrypt your files, the .crypt12 ransomware virus is very careful not to encrypt crucial system files belonging to Windows. These files are the system files of the Windows folders, which the virus adds in a whitelist, skipping those folders for encryption. In the same time however, the .crypt12 malware checks if you have documents, archives, videos, images and other important files and if it detects them, they are immediately encrypted. Among the possible file extensions which .crypt12 ransomware may hunt for could be the following:
“PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”Source:fileinfo.com
After the encryption process has completed, the malware sets the .crypt12 file extension on the files, making them look like the following:
Remove Crypt12 Ransomware and Restore Encrypted Files
If you want to remove this virus from your computer it Is strongly advisable to follow the removal instructions below to eliminate malicious objects created by it either manually or automatically. The best method for the removal according to malware researchers is to use an advanced anti-malware software, since this virus creates multiple different files on your computer, which may be difficult to discover manually.
If you want to restore files that have been encrypted by this virus, you can try and recover them using the alternative methods for file recovery below in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Crypt12 Virus”.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for Crypt12 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Crypt12 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 Crypt12 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 Crypt12 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 Crypt12
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Crypt12.
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 Crypt12 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.
Crypt12-FAQ
What is Crypt12 Ransomware?
Crypt12 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 Crypt12 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 Crypt12 Infect?
Via several ways.Crypt12 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 Crypt12 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 .Crypt12 files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Crypt12 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 .Crypt12 files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Crypt12" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Crypt12 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 Crypt12 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 Crypt12 ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Crypt12 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 Crypt12 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 Crypt12 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Crypt12 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 Crypt12 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.
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.