HELP_DECRYPT – a dangerous ransomware virus that belongs to CryptoWall family
HELP_DECRYPT is a malicious file that is closely related to CryptoWall ransomware. Therefore, if you have just noticed it or any of these files (HELP_DECRYPT.png, HELP_DECRYPT.txt, HELP_DECRYPT.html) in one of your folders, then you may be caught in serious trouble. The appearance of this file on your computer notifies that it is infected by ransomware that seeks to encrypt personal files, such as:
- photos
- documents
- videos
- archives, etc.
HELP_DECRYPT ransomware attacks computers immediately after the user clicks on an infected link or Zip attachment of spam email. Besides, recent research has revealed that this ransomware is actively spreading using exploit kits that find the smallest gap in the computer's security system.
In fact, the emergence of the malicious HELP_DECRYPT file is a clear sign that ransomware is initiating its dirty deeds on your PC's system, and you have no chance of stopping it.
Once installed, CryptoWall ransomware scans the system for personal files that carry .doc, .docx, .xls, .ppt, .psd, .pdf, .eps, .ai, .cdr, .jpg, etc. extensions and encrypts each of them with the help of RSA encryption algorythm. Right after that, it fills each of folders with the following files:
help_decrypt.txt, help_decrypt.html, help_decrypt.png, and help_decrypt.url.
Besides, once the CryptoWall virus has finished encryption, the user is presented with a HELP DECRYPT virus window explaining what was done with the data stored on a computer and what the user has to do to decrypt affected files. To be more precise, the user must use the Tor browser and pay a $500 ransom in Bitcoins.
No matter how important the encrypted files are, you should not even consider paying the ransom because you will only support online frauds and lose a huge amount of money without a guarantee that the HELP_DECRYPT file will be gone and your data will be decrypted. Therefore, we highly recommend you remove CryptoWall virus with the help of FortectIntego or another reputable anti-spyware and use a reliable file recovery tool for getting your files back.
HELP_DECRYPT virus is spread via fake update installers
This malicious file is triggered by CryptoWall ransomware. Security experts warn people about this ransomware infection daily, so you may already know that this adware uses exploit kits and quite easily finds loopholes in the computer's security system.
Therefore, please never open suspicious emails because they may be filled with infected attachments. Besides, avoid visiting illegal websites because they may contain links or fake update alerts filled with CryptoWall executable. They could relate to the following:
- Java
- Flash Player
- Media Player
- Adobe Reader
- Adobe Flash, etc.
Right after the executable file is launched, the HELP DECRYPT virus starts running on Windows startup, it starts encrypting files, and sooner or later, the user may receive an alert informing about data encryption and the performances that people must and cannot take to get them back. If you have already got infected with CryptoWall ransomware, you should see such a notification on your screen:
What happened to your files ?
All of your files were protected by a strong encryption with RSA-2048 using CryptoWall 3.0. More information about the encryption keys using RSA-2048 can be found here:Wikipedia · ENRSA cryptosystem
The RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman) cryptosystem is a family of public-key cryptosystems, widely used for secure data transmission. The initialism "RSA" comes from the surnames of Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir and Leonard Adleman, who publicly described the algorithm in 1977. An equivalent system was developed secretly in 1973 at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the British signals intelligence agency, by the English mathematician Clifford Cocks. That system was declassified in 1997.
Read on Wikipedia →What does this mean ?
This means that the structure and data within your files have been irrevocably changed, you will not be able to work with them, read them or see them, it is the same thing as losing them forever, but with our help, you can restore them.How did this happen ?
Especially for you, on our server was generated the secret key pair RSA-2048 – public and private. All your files were encrypted with the public key, which has been transferred to your computer via the Internet. Decrypting of your files is only possible with the help of the private key and decrypt program, which is on our secret server.What do I do ?
Alas, if you do not take the necessary measures for the specified time then the conditions for obtaining the private key will be changed. If you really value your data, then we suggest you do not waste valuable time searching for other solutions because they do not exist.
For more specific instructions, please visit your personal home page, there are a few different addresses pointing to your page below:
Remove HELP_DECRYPT virus from your PC
To stop the HELP_DECRYPT file from running and remove it from the system, you will have to remove CryptoWall virus once and for all. Unfortunately, this cannot be done manually because ransomware and similar programs hide under various files and can hide deep in the system as long as they need.
The best solution for HELP_DECRYPT ransomware removal would be to select a full system scan with the reliable anti-spyware program. These tools have already been tested when trying to detect the malware of the HELP_DECRYPT file:
Besides, right after that, don't forget to look for extra copies of your files and use FortectIntego to fix possible damage done to system files. They can be saved on external hard drives, CDs, DVDs, or simply rely on Google Drive, Dropbox, Flickr, and other solutions. Think about them when saving the next file that you consider important. This is especially recommended for photos, music and video files, art, and similar documents.
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