Crypt.Locker ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Instructions) - Free Instructions

Crypt.Locker virus Removal Guide

What is Crypt.Locker ransomware virus?

Crypt.Locker ransomware makes all your files epic: what to do when such malware hits your PC?

Although Crypt.Locker ransomware name resembles the infamous CryptoLocker virus, these malware variants are entirely different. The author of Crypt.Locker virus is the same one who has developed the infamous JigSaw, CryptoHitman, and Payransom ransomware. However, this time the virus is not Billy the Puppet-themed[1], but features a picture of a man wearing Anonymous mask. The ransomware corrupts files by applying secure cipher on them. Each affected file gets a .epic extension (that is why this virus has another name – Epic ransomware [2]). After encrypting files, the virus displays a window that types out a message for the victim. The virus says:

Very bad news! I am a so-called crypt.locker […]

The virus says that it finished encrypting data, stealing private information such as logins, passwords, email and private conversations, uploading it to a secret server, and now it awaits for victim’s money, otherwise the virus promises to share “every private conversation or email of yours” it could find with victim’s contacts. In addition to that, virus warns not to close it or shut down the compromised PC – otherwise, the culprit would become very angry. In fact, it does – as the virus promises to delete one file every hour of non-payment, it eliminates 1000 at one in case the victim restarts the computer[3]. Crypt.Locker malware differs from previous JigSaw versions because it asks for a very large sum of money – over $5000. The virus asks to send “at least” 5 grand, which is funny because considering the ransom price, hardly someone would pay it, not to mention larger sums.

Crypt.Locker ransomware virus

Although we recommend you to remove Crypt.Locker virus using anti-malware tools like FortectIntego, we also recommend you to be very careful and deal with Crypt.Locker removal attentively if you do not want to lose a large number of precious files. Therefore, do not reboot your PC without reason, and better do not try to get rid of this virus manually. Please read instructions on how to remove this virus from the system that our experts have prepared – you can find them under the article.

How does the virus slither into the system without showing any notifications?

Viruses, unlike regular programs, do not feel the need to inform the computer user about themselves before completing filthy tasks in the system. This particular virus appears in the form of firefox.exe and drpbx.exe processes that slow down the computer system. However, since they represent Firefox and DropBox, computer users might mistake them for legitimate programs and let them function. However, you must learn how such malicious viruses manage to infiltrate the system without letting the computer user know. Most of the time, ransomware travels attached to fraudulent email messages, but can also be downloaded along unofficial software updates (Java or Adobe). The latest Jigsaw distribution technique is tricky – currently, the virus is being distributed in the form of Electrum Coin Adder, which, instead of stealing Bitcoins from others pilfers victim’s Bitcoins and installs Jigsaw(Crypt.Locker) virus on the computer. This particular version is programmed to activate itself after December 23rd this year to bring “a little present” for Christmas. Be careful!

How to remove Crypt.Locker ransomware?

Crypt.Locker virus is considerably more harmful than other viruses because it can actually get rid of your personal files rather than encrypting them and leaving them in the system. While there is a chance to do something with encrypted data (because malware researchers can create a free decrypter after a while, or, in the case of TeslaCrypt[4] or Crysis[5] – decryption keys can be unexpectedly leaked online. To remove Crypt.Locker malware, install anti-malware software and use it only after you reboot your in a Safe Mode (as explained below). Read these Crypt.Locker removal guidelines carefully and make no mistakes if you do not want to loose a thousand of precious files unintentionally.

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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 Crypt.Locker 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 Crypt.Locker 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 Crypt.Locker. 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 Crypt.Locker removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Crypt.Locker from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by Crypt.Locker, you can use several methods to restore them:

Try using Jigsaw decryption tool

You can try to decrypt your files using JigSaw decryption tool by a researcher M.Gillespie. Reportedly, this tool works for files encrypted by Jigsaw versions that add one of these extensions: .epic, .fun, .btc, .porno, .pornoransom, .payransom, .AFD, .payms, payrms, paymts, paymrts, .paym, .pays, .kkk, .gws. You can download it from here: Jigsaw Decrypter.

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

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Olivia Morelli
Olivia Morelli - Ransomware analyst

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