Krypta ransomware / virus (Removal Guide) - Quick Decryption Solution
Krypta virus Removal Guide
What is Krypta ransomware virus?
Mr. Paul Sütterlin creates Krypta ransomware using HiddenTear’s code
The number of currently available HiddenTear variants just shocks us – apparently, Krypta virus is the latest one of them. Krypta ransomware was developed in March 2017, and it seems that is was created by Paul Sütterlin using Visual Studio 2015. The virus is based on Utku Sen’s dangerous program[1] that was created as a proof-of-concept[2], and it uses AES encryption to lock victim’s files. Originally known as Rijndael[3], this cryptography method is symmetric, and it means that encryption and decryption keys used in the process are identical. The key can be 128, 192 or even 256 bits in length, and it means that it would take years to brute-force it. Obviously, it is not possible to guess the key, either. During the encryption process, Krypta ransomware virus also decorates each encrypted file with a bonus file extension – .enc. This extension is known to be used by RozaLocker and Cryptohasyou viruses. Typical ransomware type viruses then leave a ransom note on the desktop, which urges the computer to the user to pay for the comeback of his own files. It is nothing less than an attempt to extort money from you – do not forget that! According to researchers, Krypta ransomware comes with a useful Decrypt button, which can be used to restore encrypted files. If it works, you should get your files back for free. Until then, we suggest you remove Krypta malware using anti-malware programs, for instance, FortectIntego or Malwarebytes.
In this case, it seems that Krypta ransomware is not that dangerous; however, if you were infected with a variant that asks you to pay money for data decryption, it means that you were infected with a severe and illegal program that attempts to extort[4] and blackmail you. Typically, such programs promise to delete the decryption key in case the victim fails to pay the ransom within a given time period. To be prepared for ransomware attacks, we suggest you create your data backups beforehand and keep them in a safe place. Using a decent anti-malware solution can prevent ransomware attacks, too, so we suggest installing one ASAP. You can use programs that we recommended using for Krypta removal.
How do such viruses proliferate?
Ransomware is not a Trojan and it does not spread on its own. In order to implement data encryption, one has to install it on the computer system manually. Typically, ransomware viruses reach victims in a form of email attachments, so we always advise computer users to be careful about suspicious emails that contain one or a few attachments because opening them can lead to disastrous consequences. Spam campaigns[5] that distribute ransomware typically deliver a short message that kindly invites the target to view attached contents. If the victim opens them, they might ask one to enable Macros to see the content of the file properly. Once enabled, the Macros activates the malicious script provided in the attachment and it downloads the ransomware from a server that hosts it. However, more sophisticated viruses usually proliferate rapidly because they use advanced distribution methods such as exploit kits and malvertising. the In case of such attacks, only a decent anti-malware software with a real-time protection feature can ward off your computer.
How to remove Krypta ransomware?
Remove Krypta virus using instructions provided below the article. You can use method 1 or method 2 to delete it. Keep in mind that you will need to use an anti-spyware or anti-malware program because it is not advisable to deal with ransomware manually. If your files were corrupted and you can no longer open them, and if the “Decrypt” button doesn’t work, you can try standard data recovery methods explained right below Krypta removal tutorial.
Getting rid of Krypta virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
To start with, reboot your PC in a Safe Mode with Networking (instructions provided below).
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
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
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:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
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:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- 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).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- 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 Krypta using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
-
Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Krypta. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Krypta from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If you cannot open .enc file extension files, use a data backup to recover them or follow instructions provided below.
If your files are encrypted by Krypta, you can use several methods to restore them:
System Restore Point
If you created System Restore Point prior to the infection, you can recreate lost files this way:
- Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
- Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
- Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.
ShadowExplorer help
You can try to restore encrypted files using a tool called ShadowExplorer. It helps to find available Volume Shadow Copies and uses them to restore encrypted files.
- Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
- Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
- Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
- Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Krypta 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.
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- ^ Hidden Tear Project: Forbidden Fruit Is the Sweetest. Tripwire. IT Security News & Blog.
- ^ Proof-of-Concept Design. MSDN. Learn to Develop with Microsoft Developer Network.
- ^ Advanced Encryption Standard. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Ransomware: the Tool of Choice for Cyber Extortion. FireEye Resources. Learn All About the Identities, Motivations, and Tools of Modern Cyber Threat Actors.
- ^ New Spam Campaign Distributes Locky Ransomware and Kovter Trojan Simultaneously. The Merkle. Cyber News on the Go.