by Ventsislav Krastev | March 29, 2017 | 0 Comments file-encryption, how-to, malware, March 2017, Protection, ransomware

Article created to help you remove the Robert Swat ransomware virus and extension and to restore Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp files encrypted by it.

A very odd virus has appeared in the wild. The malware is from the file encryption kind and uses the e-mail Robert.swat@qip.ru for contant. What is odd about it is that the virus threatens to break the encrypted files on the computers it has infected if the user tries to modify them in any way, like changing their names. In addition to this, the ransomware also demands victims to pay a hefty ransom fee of 400$ in it’s “how_to_decode_files!!!.txt” ransom note to get access to the files that are encoded and no longer openable. In case your system has been infected by the .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp ransomware, we advise reading the following article to understand what is the situation and how to react.

UPDATE! A decrypter has been released for the Do Not Change ransomware by researcher demonslay335. Download link can be found on the highlighted text below:
Do Not Change Name Decrypter

Threat Summary

Name	.Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	The malware encrypts users files using a strong encryption algorithm, making direct decryption possible only via a unique decryption key available to the cyber-criminals for the price of $400.
Symptoms	The user may witness ransom notes and “how_to_decode_files!!!.txt” “instructions” linking to an e-mail address where further instructions are sent. Changed file names and the file-extension .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp has been used.
Distribution Method	Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join our forum to Discuss .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus.
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.

.Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp – How Does It Distribute

To spread, the Robert Swat virus may utilize different techniques. One of those techniques is to spam fake messages via e-mail, that may contain different file types embedded within them as attachments. The messages may be deceptive and aim to lure potential victims into opening the attachments, similar to the example image below:

Besides this technique for spreading, the .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp file ransomware, may also take advantage of several other methods such as embedding malicious scripts in spammed web links all over the web and also have loaders posing as game patches, cracks and updates.

.Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus – Activity

For the activity of this infection, it uses multiple distribution sites, to which it’s loader may connect after already infecting your computer. Then, the loader may drop multiple different types of files. These very files may have the same names as processes that are completely legitimate or completely random names. They may be located in the usually targeted Windows folders, for example:

After the malicious files of this virus are dropped on the computer of the user, they may exhibit different activity on the computer of the user. One of the actions that may be performed by the .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp threat is to force delete the shadow volume copies of the encrypted computer. This is usually achievable by executing the vssadmin and bcedit commands in Windows Command Prompt in the background, without the user noticing it is happening:

In addition to this activity, the ransomware infection may also modify the Windows Registry Editor by adding malicious value strings in the Run or RunOnce sub-keys which run it’s malicious executables automatically:

.Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Files And Their Encryption

Regarding the encryption process of this ransomware infection, one or more encryption modes may be used. Among the suspected encryption algorithms may be among the following:

RSA(Rivest-Shamir-Adleman).
SHA(Secure Hash Algorithm).
AES(Advanced Encryption Standard).
ECDH(Elliptic Curve Diffie–Hellman).
Other less sophisticated ciphers.

In addition to those ciphers an encryption mode known as RC4 may or may not be employed. For the process, the .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp virus targets specific files to encode. Among those files may be the following file types:

→ “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

The encryption process consists of replacing portons data from the original files with data from the cipher being used. After encryption, the files may appear like the following:

The encrypted files may also be encoded with a mode that is set to break them when they are modified, for example with changed filenames. The other scenario is if the cyber-criminals are just claiming this in the ransom note as a scare tactic, not to try and decrypt the encoded files. The ransom note opened after the encryption process has finished is called how_to_decode_files!!!.txt and has the following content:

*******************************************************************************
ATTENTION!!! Changing the file name makes the restore process impossible!
*******************************************************************************
Your data is encrypted.
To receive a program of decoding, You need to pay ~ $ 400 and
You need to send the personal code:
{UNIQUE PERSONAL CODE HERE}
To the email address robert.swat@qip.ru
Then you will receive all the necessary instructions.
Attempts to decipher independently will not lead to anything, except irretrievable
loss of information.
We respond to all emails, if there is no answer within 10 hours, duplicate your
letter other email services.
Thank you for your attention and have a good day.
*******************************************************************************
ATTENTION!!! Changing the file name makes the restore process impossible!
******************************************************************************* Source:Pastebin

Remove .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus and Try To Recover Encrypted Files

Before removing malicious files belonging to this ransomware infection, recommendations are to focus on backing up the encrypted files first, just in case. For the removal process of this ransomware, we advise using the removal instructions in the end of this article. In case you are having difficulties in manually removing files encrypted by this virus, experts advise using an advanced anti-malware program which will take care of the removal process for you automatically and ensure future protection as well.

After having successfully removed this ransomware infection, reccomendations are to focus on restoring files encrypted by it using multiple alternative methods, like the ones we have suggested below in step “2. Restore files encrypted by .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus”. These methods are not 100 percent guaranteed to work but they may be of use for restoring at least some of the encoded files.

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.

How to Remove .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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 .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
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 .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is 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. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus.

Ransomware infections and .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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.

1. Download the reccomended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:

EaseUS Data Recovery Software

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.

Windows Mac OS X

Get rid of .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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 .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus.

1. Download the reccomended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:

EaseUS Data Recovery Software

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.

.Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus FAQ

What is .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus ransomware and how does it work?

.Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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 .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus ransomware infect my computer?

Via several ways..Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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 .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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 ..Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus files?

You can't. At this point the ..Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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 ..Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.

One way to restore files, encrypted by .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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 "..Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus" files (Other Methods)?

Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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 .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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 .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus files.

Also, keep in mind that viruses like .Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp Virus 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.

.Do_not_change_the_file_name.cryp File Virus (Restore Files)