CryptXXX 4.0 ransomware / virus (Removal Guide)

CryptXXX 4.0 virus Removal Guide

What is CryptXXX 4.0 ransomware virus?

Beware: CryptXXX 4.0 virus has been released!

It’s official – CryptXXX 4.0 ransomware has been released, and this time its developers have fixed flaws in its code, making the virus even more powerful. It seems that the authors of this ransomware have decided to release an even more complicated version of CryptXXX since they have lost a lot of potential income by unintentionally releasing free decryption keys for users who have been attacked by .Crypz and .Cryp1 versions of this virus. In addition to that, CryptXXX 4.0 version provides a fixed decryptor as well. Of course, the victim has to pay a certain sum of money to get it.

CryptXXX malware family contains of CryptXXX 2.0, CryptXXX 3.0, but now the fourth member has been discovered. The fourth version of CryptXXX scans the computer system thoroughly, and also all removable drives plugged into the compromised computer. No matter if these are USBs, CDs or hard drives, this malware will corrupt data stored on them as well. The encryption that this virus uses is currently the strongest one – RSA4096. The virus uses a public encryption key to encode victim’s files, and only the authors of this ransomware know what is the unique decryption code (individual for each victim). Once CryptXXX 4.0 ransomware encrypts victim’s files, it creates and saves ransom notes in .bmp, .txt and .html formats. These ransom notes inform the victim what has happened and that all files were locked with strong RSA-4096 encryption, and even provides a link to Wikipedia page about this encryption. The rest of the ransom note provides traditional decryption instructions: the user has to download Tor browser to access the payment website, buy Bitcoins and transfer them to a provided Bitcoin address. Then the victim gets a unique decryption key and can restore all encrypted data.

CryptXXX 4.0 virus leaves a threatening ransom note

If you have been infected with this virus, we would like to encourage you to not pay the ransom. Cyber criminals ask for a considerable amount of money, and by paying them, you would support their illegal activities and fund their further ransomware projects. We understand that people want to recover their files, and that is absolutely normal, but we advise you to think twice before reaching out for your credit card. If you do not want to pay the ransom, then remove CryptXXX 4.0 virus with a malware removal program, for example, FortectIntego. Sadly, it would be way too hard to delete this virus manually, so we do not recommend you to attempt to do that.

CryptXXX 4.0 distribution methods

CryptXXX 4.0 developers are advanced programmers and IT experts, and although it might sound like a compliment to them, it is sad that these guys are using their skills for such illegal activities. It seems that they spread CryptXXX 4.0 via compromised legitimate websites, which then redirects victims to Neutrino Exploit Kit. Cyber criminals exploit websites that have slightest security vulnerabilities, and it was noticed that they target pages that have added Revslider slideshow plugin (for WordPress) to them. For example, when the user clicks on a video or a slideshow presentation to start it, they will be redirected to Neutrino Exploit Kit. Cyber criminals have automated the process of scanning websites for vulnerabilities by utilizing SoakSoak botnet, which is running since 2014.

However, this ransomware still spreads using traditional malware distribution methods as well. You can get it via email, disguised as an official letter, invoice, or another document from a well-known company. Typically, crooks create email addresses that look secure and send emails to victims from them. We advise you to carefully investigate who is the sender of an email, and if you do not know it personally, do NOT open the email or its attachments.

How to remove CryptXXX 4.0?

If your computer has become infected with CryptXXX 4.0 ransomware, then do not waste time and remove it from your computer without a delay. Use a powerful anti-malware tool to delete it from your system, but keep in mind that it is not so simple to download and install it while the virus is monitoring your computer. Follow these CryptXXX 4.0 removal instructions to learn how to deactivate the virus and run your PC in a Safe Mode.

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of CryptXXX 4.0 virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove CryptXXX 4.0 using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of CryptXXX 4.0. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that CryptXXX 4.0 removal is performed successfully.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from CryptXXX 4.0 and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

 

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

About the author
Ugnius Kiguolis
Ugnius Kiguolis - The mastermind

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