Crypton ransomware is the newest bilingual cryptovirus that has been found. Malware researchers from the MalwareHunterTeam have made the discovery. The payload of the virus tries to trick users that it is WinRar. The virus will encrypt your files and place “_crypt” as the ending of their name. A ransom message appears after that, and depending on the language you prefer to use on your system, the note will be written either in Russian or English. To see how to remove this ransomware and how you can try to restore your data, read the full article.
Threat Summary
| Name | Crypton |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware will encrypt your files and then display a ransom note with instructions for payment either in the English or Russian language. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will encrypt your files and place _crypt to the back of their names. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executables |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Crypton. |
| 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. |
Crypton Ransomware – Infection
Crypton ransomware can spread its infection in multiple ways. The most common of those ways is with a payload file disguised as a WinRar installer setup. If you download that file and load it, the malicious script will get executed and will infect your computer. You can see the analysis of VirusTotal of the executable file containing the payload, from the picture below:
Crypton ransomware might be spreading its payload file around social media networks and file-sharing services. WinRar could be just one of many other legitimate applications that can contain the malicious payload script. A lot of freeware and bundled apps could be promoted as useful but hide the entry point for the ransomware. Do not open files from dubious sources like emails and links, especially not right after you download them. First, you should do a scan with a security tool and check their size and signatures for anything suspicious. Read the tips for ransomware prevention in the forum section.
Crypton Ransomware – Technical Analysis
The Crypton ransomware is also a cryptovirus. Malware researchers from the MalwareHunterTeam have discovered it in the wild.
After your files get encrypted, they will receive _crypt appended to the back of their names, before their extension. Crypton ransomware might create entries in the Windows Registry to achieve persistence. Those registry entries are designed to make the virus launch automatically with each boot of the Windows Operating System.
After your files are encrypted, a ransom note will pop up on your desktop screen. That note contains the instructions and demands of the cybercriminals for unlocking your files. A short ransom message is also being included in a readme_encryption.txt file.
You can see the ransom note in English below:
Image Source: MalwareHunterTeam
That ransom note reads the following:
Attention!
All data on you PC is encrypted!
To decrypt your data, you need to pay the amounts shown below.
Please note that the payment confirmation may take some time (from 1 hour to 1 day).
All this time, the program must be running and have an internet connection.
After the successful confirmation of payment – decoding will start automatically.
Read more about how to make a payment using Bitcoin can be found on the internet network.
In destination address – specify the Bitcoin address, listed below.
Keep in mind that the services may charge a fee for the payment, it is important that we must …
It is not recommended to attempt to recover the data, or remove this program! This can lead to a complete loss of your data forever! To restore data, you must be connected to the Internet.
Status:
Bitcoin address:
Payment amount: BTC по курсу в валюте check payment status
The same note in the Russian language:
Image Source: MalwareHunterTeam
It reads the following:
Внимание!
Ваши данные зашифрованны!
Для расшифровки ваших данных, вам необходимо оплатить указанную ниже сумму.
Обратите внимание, что подтверждение платежа может занять какое то время (от 1 часа до 1 дня).
Все это время, программа должна быть запущена и иметь соединение к интернет.
После успешного подтверждения платежа – расшифровка запустится автоматически.
Подробнее о том как произвести оплату с помощью Bitcoin можно найти в сети internet.
Наример можно воспользоваться сервисом https://xchange.cc/visa-mastercard-rur-to-bitcoin.html.
Крайне не рекомендуется пытаться самостоятельно восстановить данные, или удалять эту программу! Это может привести к полной потере ваших данных навсегда! Для восстановления данных необходимо подключение к интернет.
Текущий статус:
Bitcoin адрес:
Сумма к оплате: BTC по курсу в валюте проверить статус платежа
The short ransom message looks like this:
You can see that it is contained in the readme_encryption.txt file and reads the following:
This files are encrypted! Follow the instructions on the screen.
Эти файлы зашифрованы! Следуйте инструкции на экране.
ID: [Redacted]
There are also Command&Control (C&C) servers associated the ransomware. You should NOT even think of paying the cybercriminals. This will only support them financially, and nobody can guarantee that your files will get decrypted after payment.
The Crypton ransomware encrypts files and puts _crypt suffix to the names of each one of them. That suffix is put before their file extension, so if a file called Work document.doc will become Work document_crypt.doc. The encryption algorithm that is used is unknown. A list with all file extensions that the virus searches to encrypt are shown right here:
→.xls, .xlsx, .doc, .docx, .txt, .tbb, .tbn, .cd, .cdr, .db, .dbx, .dbf, .pdf, .rtf, .tiff, .jpg, .png, .mdb, .vsd, .jpg, .psd, .pst, .ppt, .pptx, .xml, .htm, .html, .mht, .zip, .rar, .7z, .dat
Source: MalwareHunterTeam
The Crypton cryptovirus is quite likely to erase the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows operating system by using the command down here:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
Read further to find out what kinds of methods you can try to restore some of your data files.
Remove Crypton Ransomware and Restore _crypt Files
If your computer got infected with the Crypton ransomware virus, you should have some experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as fast as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect more computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide given below. To see ways that you can try to recover your data, see the step titled 2. Restore files encrypted by Crypton.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for Crypton with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Crypton 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 Crypton 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 Crypton 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 Crypton
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Crypton.
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 Crypton 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.
Crypton-FAQ
What is Crypton Ransomware?
Crypton 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 Crypton 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 Crypton Infect?
Via several ways.Crypton 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 Crypton 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 .Crypton files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Crypton 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 .Crypton files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Crypton" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Crypton 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 Crypton 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 Crypton ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Crypton 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 Crypton 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 Crypton Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Crypton 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 Crypton 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.