Crypt0L0cker virus: what it is and how to remove it
Crypt0L0cker ransomware is an infamous crypto malware , which can be found mentioned in various sources as Crypt0L0cker virus. Computer users should be aware of this virus and its distribution methods, because once it infects the computer, it is nearly impossible to repair the damage that it does to it.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Crypt0L0cker virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .enc |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 9 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Crypt0L0cker virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Encrypted files | .enc |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 6 February 2017 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.enc
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Crypt0L0cker virus
- You may try decrypting your files using the Crypt0L0cker decryption tool provided by Kaspersky.
How Crypt0L0cker virus behaves
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
The activity of Crypt0L0cker virus
Crypt0L0cker ransomware is an infamous crypto malware , which can be found mentioned in various sources as Crypt0L0cker virus.
Computer users should be aware of this virus and its distribution methods, because once it infects the computer, it is nearly impossible to repair the damage that it does to it. It is an updated version of TorrentLocker ransomware, and it hides under the name of one of the most dangerous computer viruses in the world - CryptoLocker.
The difference is that the virus that we discuss about today has O's replaced with zeros in its name . It spreads as a Trojan horse via email: its malicious executive file usually reaches computer users disguised as a secure document, for example, speeding ticket or invoice.
The sole purpose of this PC threat is to infiltrate victim's computer system and encrypt files stored in it. Crypt0L0cker malware scans all system folders and locates relevant data including music files, videos, photos, documents, and other types of files, and then encrypts them using a sophisticated encryption algorithm. Once the files are encrypted, the user cannot access them anymore.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
The further activity of the virus
After the encryption process is done, this ransom virus drops DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS file on the computer, in .html and .txt formats.
This file informs the user that files were encrypted by a virus and that the only way to get Cryptolocker decryption tool is to pay a ransom to cyber criminals.
These crooks demand 2.2 Bitcoin, which is equal to approximately 983.27 USD. Unfortunately, we do not think that cyber criminals provide the key after users pay the ransom since users are looking for Crypt0L0cker file recovery solutions on various forums online.
Therefore, we do not suggest paying the ransom, because you might lose a considerable amount of money alongside your files. Although computer experts are doing their best trying to find Crypt0L0cker decryptor, unfortunately, any specific tool hasn't been discovered yet. You can remove Crypt0L0cker with anti-spyware software.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
New version of Crypt0l0cker released in August 2016. How does it differ from the previous version?
A variant of this Crypt0L0cker ransom virus has been spotted spreading on the world wide web, and this one seems to be targeting Italian-speaking computer users .
This version also encrypts victim's data and demands a ransom; besides, it appends .enc file extension to encrypted record. Hence, a file which is named image.jpg will be renamed to image.jpg.enc. What is more, this new ransomware, unlike other viruses of its kind, leaves a ransom note that is named randomly (the name of the ransom note is individual for each victim).
As a result, it might become a little complicated to identify the virus, since TrueCrypter and .CryptoHasYou viruses also append same file extensions to encrypted data. When it comes to this virus' distribution methods, it is distributed via spam email campaigns.
It appears that cybercriminals pretend to be employees of Italian energy organization named Enel, and send letters to victims with such attachment: ENEL_BOLLETA.ZIP. This name translates as Enel bill and includes a JS file Enel_Bolleta.js. If the victim extracts the archive and runs this JavaScript file, the ransomware starts the decryption process immediately.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
What methods are used to distribute this virus?
Victims report that this ransomware spreads via misleading emails that present themselves as notifications from the government.
As we have already mentioned, these emails can look like warnings for speeding and similar notifications . We suggest you to inspect such letters carefully. If a message is full of typo or grammar mistakes, there is a huge possibility that it is fake.
Also, you should always pay attention to the sender and, if you have any concerns and suspicions, do not open or download any files attached to such emails. Also, it is known that viruses like ransomware also spread via fake alerts.
If a message has appeared on your computer out of nowhere and is filled with information that is too good to be true (for instance, "You have won an iPad," or "You are the lucky visitor"), you should ignore it because clicking it can easily lead you to the infiltration of such virus like this one.
Of course, it is hard to miss the fact that this threat has infiltrated your computer because it encrypts predetermined files in seconds.
If you have already received the threatening message from this virus stating that your files are encrypted, and if you cannot open your photos, music files or other relevant records and documents, it means that your computer was infected with this virus. If you do not know how to do it, look at the guide given below.
How to remove Crypt0L0cker virus
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove Crypt0L0cker virus and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Crypt0L0cker virus encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and identify the family
Find the ransom note, usually a
.txt,.htmlor .hta file in every folder or on the desktop, and copy it with one or two encrypted files to a USB stick.From another device, upload them to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note and the file extension. Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note for the report.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For Crypt0L0cker virus, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Crypt0L0cker virus still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
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
- 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.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
The best way to remove Crypt0L0cker malware and decrypt your files
There is only one anti Crypt0L0cker remedy - data backups.
We strongly advise computer users to regularly create copies of important files and export them to an external storage device and keep such device unplugged from the computer.
If you keep storing your files on such devices, you will be able to recover them in case a ransomware virus or another malicious computer threat slithers into your computer and damages them. You can also look for a decryption solutions on this site.
Before you try to recover files that this malware has encrypted, you must exclude the malicious files related to this virus. You can use Crypt0L0cker removal instructions provided below, but we do not suggest trying to uninstall this virus manually unless you are a very experienced computer user.
If you have never dealt with similar viruses before, we suggest you to assign this task to a powerful anti-malware software and remove Crypt0L0cker virus and related files automatically.
[GI=method-1]In case Crypt0L0cker attempts to block your antivirus from initiating the system scan and eliminating the infection from the computer, please be sure to follow the steps we provide in these virus decontamination instructions:
[GI=method-2]Step-by-step instructions on how to decontaminate Crypt0L0cker and retrieve all your antivirus capacities are provided below. Make sure you follow them attentively and do not delete some important system files by accident.
Windows Previous Versions feature may be your answer to file recovery:
Windows Previous Versions feature only works if System Restore function has been enabled before Crypt0L0cker encrypted files on the computer. To use Windows Previous Versions recovery feature properly, make sure you follow the instructions here:
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like Crypt0L0cker virus together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .enc and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about Crypt0L0cker virus
How do I open .enc files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .enc has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
When will a decryptor for Crypt0L0cker virus be released?
Nobody can promise a date. When we last checked, on 6 October 2026, no free decryptor is known. Decryptors usually appear after one of three events:
- police seize the attackers' servers and keys
- the authors leak or publish the master keys
- researchers find a mistake in how the ransomware generates keys
Some families got a tool within weeks, others never. Keep the encrypted files and the note on an external drive, check No More Ransom every few months, and follow news about the Crypt0L0cker virus family. A decryptor may need an original file, so keep any unencrypted copies too.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did Crypt0L0cker virus get on my computer?
The way Crypt0L0cker virus spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened. On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password.
Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .enc and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Did Crypt0L0cker virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Crypt0L0cker virus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .enc and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Is Crypt0L0cker virus the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Should I reinstall Windows after the .enc attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .enc stay encrypted afterwards. So first copy the encrypted files and the ransom note to a separate drive, in case a decryptor appears later. Then decide:
- a clean-up with an offline scan is often enough for home PCs
- while a full reset is safer if remote access was involved
- scans keep finding new items
Restore your backups only after the PC is clean, and change passwords from another device.
If I delete Crypt0L0cker virus, do my files come back?
Unfortunately not. Deleting the program only ends the attack; every file that already has the .enc ending stays encrypted, because decryption needs a key that only the attackers hold.
That is why this guide separates removal from recovery. First make sure Crypt0L0cker virus is gone with an offline scan, then work through the recovery list:
- backups
- OneDrive history
- Previous Versions
- copies on other devices and
- if one exists
- a decryptor
Do not rename or edit the encrypted files in the meantime, and keep them even if nothing works today.
Will Fortect remove Crypt0L0cker virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Crypt0L0cker virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Cryptovirology (read October 6, 2026)
- Heimdal: Analysis: How malware creators use spam to maximize their impact (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)