This article aims to help you remove CypherPy ransomware from your computer and it also aims to show you how you can try and restore your files without having to pay a ransom.

New ransomware infection, called CypherPy has been detected by malware researchers. The virus is so far only a stub, but it can encrypt the files on infected computers via the AES encryption algorithm in CBC encryption mode. After encryption, the virus may append the .crypt file extension to the encrypted files and drops a file, named “README”, that aims to extort victims. At the moment the ransomware is in construction, but it may become active very soon. If you have already been infected by CypherPy ransomware, we strongly recommend that you read this article and learn how to remove CypherPy ransomware from your computer after which restore files with the .crypt file extension.

Threat Summary

Name	CypherPy
Type	Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description	Currently in construction. Encrypts the files using AES cipher and then may demand a ransom payoff. Can encrypt on Windows and Linux as well.
Symptoms	A ransom note without an extension, named README and the .crypt file extension on the encoded files.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by CypherPy Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss CypherPy.
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 Can CypherPy Ransomware be Spread

In order to be spread, the CypherPy virus may come under different shapes. One of those may be a fake e-mail attachment, posing as Microsoft Word document. The document appears legitimate after you open it, however in it, there are instructions on how to enable macros to read it’s content (otherwise you can’t). When you click on the “Enable Content” button, the malicious macros are activated and your computer may become infected. The infection procedure via those document performs the following actions:

Besides infected Microsoft Office documents and .PDF files, other e-mail attachments may also be sent out, that directly infect your computer, once you open them. Such may be .wsf, .js, .exe and other files which can be concealed from your antivirus program when executed.

The e-mails that may be sent, containing CypherPy ransomware may are deceitful and very well thought out. They may pose as mails from big companies, such as:

• eBay.
• PayPal.
• FedEx.
• DHL.

The e-mails themselves may contain deceitful messages, like the example below displays:

Besides this, other methods of infection may also include using various different types of fake installers, downloaders and other methods that deceive you into downloading an infected file.

CypherPy – More Information About It

The CypherPy ransomware is a virus very similar to most ransomware threats out there. Upon infection, the malware drops multiple malicious files on the computer of it’s victims. They are usually located in the often targeted Windows folders, such as:

• %AppData%
• %Roaming%
• %Local%
• %LocalLow%
• %Temp%

As soon as the malicious files, the main of which is called cyphermain.py, belonging to CypherPy ransomware are dropped, the virus may execute a script that runs commands in Windows command prompt. The commands may be as follows and aim to delete the shadow volume copies of an infected computer:

→ process call create “cmd.exe /c
vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no
bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures

In addition to this, the virus may also create values In multiple different Windows Registry sub-keys. The most often targeted ones are the Windows Run and RunOnce sub-keys which are responsible for the malicious files of CypherPy to run every time Windows boots up. The keys are as follows:

→ 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

Among the activities of the CypherPy ransomware is to also connect to a remote host and transfer information about the infected computer, such as:

• Your IP address.
• Your location.
• Network configuration.
• Antivirus software installed.

Furthermore, it drops it’s distinctive ransom note, named “README” and at the moment of writing this, it looks like the following:

Source: id-ransomware.blogspot.com

CypherPy Ransomware – Encryption Process

When it comes to encrypting files, CypherPy ransomware performs multiple different activities, the main of which is to firstly scan your computer for the following types of files:

.3g2, .3gp, .7z, .asf, .asx, .avi, .bak, .bundle, .c, .cpp, .deb, .docx, .exe, .flv, .gif, .h, .html, .jar, .jpeg, .jpg, .log, .m2ts, .mkv, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpeg, .mpg, .pdf, .php, .png, .py, .pyc, .rar, .rm, .sh, .sq1, .sqlite3, .swf, .tar, .tar.gz, .tiff, .txt, .vob, .wmv, .zip

If you have those files on your computer and it becomes infected with CypherPy ransomware, the virus encrypts them in CBC (Cipher Block Chain) mode using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption algorithm. This immediately results in the files no longer being able to be opened. And after this has been done, the virus at the time of writing this appends the .crypt file extension to the files. They may look like the following example image after their encryption:

The scariest part of it all is that the virus also works on Linux systems and can encrypt files there as well, suggesting that it may be slithered using an unknown Linux vulnerability(https://sensorstechforum.com/notorious-linux-bugs-vulnerabilities-exploits/) if someone decides to spread it.

Remove CypherPy Ransomware and Try Restoring .crypt Files

Even though this virus is still under construction, according to malware researcher Karsten Hahn (@struppigel), who unfolded it, it can be released any time and if you have been already infected by it, immediate removal actions are advisable. To remove CypherPy completely from your computer, our recommendations are to follow the instructions for Manual or Automatic removal below. They are specifically designed to help you remove the files and objects associated with this ransomware. For maximum effectiveness, it is also advisable to use an advanced anti-malware software that will help you automatically scan for and remove CypherPy from your PC, completely secure it and protect it against future intrusions as well.

Manually delete CypherPy from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the CypherPy threat: Manual removal of CypherPy requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove CypherPy files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by CypherPy on your PC.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.

4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

2.Find malicious files created by CypherPy on your PC

Find malicious files created by CypherPy

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

Step 1:

On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Step 2:

Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Step 3:

Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:

Step 1:

Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Step 2:

After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Step 3:

After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

Automatically remove CypherPy by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove CypherPy with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

Remove CypherPy with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove CypherPy.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove CypherPy. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by CypherPy in the future.

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any CypherPy files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

2. Restore files encrypted by CypherPy

Restore Files Encrypted by CypherPy

Ransomware infections like CypherPy aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to directly decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that they may not be 100% effective but they may help you little or a lot in some situations.

Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors.
If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:

• Kaspersky Decryptors
• Emsisoft Decryptors

Urgent! It is strongly advisable to first remove the CypherPy threat before attempting any decryption, since it may interfere with system files and registries. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using an advanced malware removal tool.

Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer

To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for shadow copies in Windows using this software if ransomware has not deleted them:

• Shadow Explorer

Method 4: Finding CypherPy decryption key while it communicates it via a network sniffing software.

Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:

Instructions on How to Find Decryption Key for Files Encrypted By Ransowmare

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove CypherPy Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove CypherPy.
Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.

Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.

Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.

Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.

2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all CypherPy associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.

Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.

Vencislav Krustev

A network administrator and malware researcher at SensorsTechForum with passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cyber security. Strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

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