PizzaCrypts is the name of a ransomware virus, which uses the Neutrino exploit kit as the primary distribution method. It encrypts files and wants Bitcoin currency as a ransom payment. The extension this ransomware appends to all encrypted files is .id-[id number]-maestro@pizzacrypts.info. To remove the ransomware and see how to restore your files, you should read the article till the end.
Threat Summary
| Name | PizzaCrypts |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware will encrypt all of your files and show a ransom note, giving out contact emails to be used for communication about the ransom payment. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware asks for Bitcoins after encryption and puts.id-[id number]-maestro@pizzacrypts.info as the extension to each file. |
| Distribution Method | Exploit Kits, Spam Emails, File Sharing Networks |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss PizzaCrypts. |
| 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. |
PizzaCrypts Ransomware – Infection Spread
PizzaCrypts ransomware is mainly infecting computers through the Neutrino Exploit Kit and possibly some others. The exploit kit usually seeks for older versions of Flash and exploits their vulnerabilities to deliver the payload of the ransomware.
PizzaCrypts might also be spread with spam emails. Emails like that often have some files attached inside. Opening the attachment will trigger the malicious code to infect your computer. Another possibility of a user getting his PC infected could be through social media or file sharing networks. Malicious files might be lurking there as well if the ransomware creators or other criminals have put them there. Avoiding that possibility for infection is doable if you are very careful with what you do on the Internet.
PizzaCrypts Ransomware – Technical Details
PizzaCrypts is a new ransomware that a researcher called Brad has found recently.
The ransomware is named after a part of the extension it places on encrypted files, which is also one of the emails given for contact.
After encryption, the PizzaCrypts ransomware leaves two emails for contact:
- maestro@pizzacrypts.info
- pizzacrypts@protonmail.com
The PizzaCrypts ransomware may create the following registry key:
→HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
The registry key will enable the ransomware to start at the same time the Windows operating system starts.
You can view a screenshot of the ransom note text file “Pizzacrypts Info.txt” right here:
The text form of the ransom note is written below:
Attention!
All your files are encrypted cryptographically strong algorithm!
Decoding is not possible without our help!
In order to start the process of decoding the files, you need to contact us on the below
contacts, attached the example of anencrypted file:
– Primary email: maestro@pizzacrypts.info
– Secondary email: pizzacrypts@protonmail.com
– Bitmessage: BM-NBRCUPTenKgYbLVCAfevuHVsHFK6ue2F
How To use Bitmessage see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndqlffqCMaM
We encourage you to contact us for all three contacts!
– Very important:
We recommend to write email us with gmail address, otherwise your email may not reach us !
Do not try to decrypt files by third-party decipherers, otherwise you will spoil files!
From the ransom note, it becomes apparent that the ransomware creators want you to contact them in all three ways they have given and to use a Google mail address. Probably they might delete some of the contact details to cover their tracks, and the emails they use might have block filters for other mail services. The amount you have to pay for file decryption is not stated.
Do not pay the ransom as no guarantee could exist that you will get your data back if you do so. Although the ransom note states that tampering with your files might damage them – this might just be an empty threat. Read on, to find out how you might recover some of your files.
The PizzaCrypts ransomware probably uses some military algorithm for encryption or at least it claims it is a strong one. The file extensions list which the ransomware searches to encrypt is not fully known, but the following file extensions are encrypted:
→.jpeg, .docx, .doc, .jpg, .bmp, .png, .xlsx, .pptx, .rtf, .odt, .ods, .pdf, .ppt, .xls
After the completion of the encrypting process, files on your computer machine will have another extension appended to them – .id-[id number]-maestro@pizzacrypts.info.
PizzaCrypts ransomware is not reported to delete Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows operating system. Read the article to the end to see how you can try restoring your files.
Remove PizzaCrypts Ransomware and Restore .id-[id number]-maestro@pizzacrypts.info Encrypted Files
If your computer system is infected with the PizzaCrypts ransomware, you should have some experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as fast as you can before it encrypts more files and distributes further on the network you use. The recommended action for you to take is to remove the ransomware effectively by following the step-by-step instructions manual provided down below.
Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
How to Remove PizzaCrypts from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove PizzaCrypts
Step 2: Uninstall PizzaCrypts 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by PizzaCrypts 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 PizzaCrypts 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: Scan for PizzaCrypts with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by PizzaCrypts.
Ransomware infections and PizzaCrypts 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of PizzaCrypts from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall PizzaCrypts and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 PizzaCrypts 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:
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.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by PizzaCrypts.
Ransomware infections and PizzaCrypts 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
PizzaCrypts FAQ
What is PizzaCrypts ransomware and how does it work?
PizzaCrypts 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 PizzaCrypts ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.PizzaCrypts 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 PizzaCrypts 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 .PizzaCrypts files?
You can't. At this point the .PizzaCrypts 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 .PizzaCrypts files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by PizzaCrypts 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 ".PizzaCrypts" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .PizzaCrypts 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 PizzaCrypts 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 PizzaCrypts ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .PizzaCrypts files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like PizzaCrypts 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.
How to 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.
