JosepCrypt ransomware (Decryption Steps Included) - Removal Guide
JosepCrypt virus Removal Guide
What is JosepCrypt ransomware?
JosepCrypt virus – ransomware with the main agenda of collecting money from unsuspecting users
JosepCrypt is a typical ransom-demanding virus that uses encryption algorithms for your most used files. This ransomware uses “.josep” extensions for the files they encrypt so you can easily detect them. As soon as they do that you can see the ransom message. File “RECOVERY.txt” that appeared on your desktop contains ransom payment instructions and information about the encrypted data.
| Summary | |
|---|---|
| Name | JosepCrypt |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Danger level | High. Makes system changes and encrypts files |
| Release date | May 2018 |
| Appended file extension | .josep |
| Ransom note | RECOVERY.txt |
| Contact email address | josepniverito@aol.com |
| Distribution | Malspam, bogus downloads and updates, malvertising |
| Data recovery | The official decryptor is not released yet. Full recovery is possible only from backups |
| To uninstall JosepCrypt, install FortectIntego and run a full system scan | |
“All your files are encrypted. If you want to restore them, email me at josepniverito@aol.com, you have 5 days your key: [redacted victim ID number]” – stated on the note. According to the developers of this virus, the only way to decrypt your files is paying the ransom. Cybercriminals want to get an indefinite amount of Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies.
The size of the payment depends on the amount of time you wait until you reach crooks via email josepniverito@aol.com in order to learn how much you need to pay. We do not recommend contacting cybercriminals in any way and especially do not pay them. JosepCrypt virus developers are not trustworthy.
You should remove JosepCrypt from your computer as soon as you can. This is the only thing you need to do. The moment they get the money they ignore their victims and disappear. There are no possible results from paying.
Currently, there are not many options to recover files encrypted by JosepCrypt. Malware researchers are working on a free decryptor. Meanwhile, you can try various third-party tools that might help to get back at least the most important data. However, if you are one of those computer users who back up regularly, you can recover files soon after virus elimination.
JosepCrypt removal is significant for the regained safety of your computer. It is not easy to do so you need to use certified tools like FortectIntego for the job. If you need more information about this procedure, scroll down to the end of this article. Our specialists provided a detailed guide.
Fake updaters and spam email attachments can bring ransomware to the system
Ransomware viruses can spread through:[1]
- unprotected downloads and installations,
- suspicious spam email attachments,
- questionable software
- trojan horses.
You need to pay attention when browsing the internet because there is a lot of threats online. Download your software and any updates from certified providers. Always have correctly running anti-spyware program on your computer.
Delete all of your spam letters from questionable addresses without opening.[2] Always double check update suggestions. Be careful and cautious online. Trojans may also come with these spam emails and questionable PUPs.
Security specialists from dieviren.de[3] also remind about the importance of creating data backups. No matter how hard you try to avoid ransomware, even the most advanced computer users can fall for the criminals’ hoax. Thus, having backups saves from data loss.
Delete JosepCrypt from your computer and be safe again
Below we have a guide to JosepCrypt removal that has step-by-step instructions which will help to install, update or run security program necessary for the elimination. We recommend using anti-malware programs like FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes.
Please, do not try to remove JosepCrypt manually. It’s a complex cyber threat that consists of numerous files and processes that might look legitimate at first. Moreover, the virus might affect various Windows processes and fixing such problems is nearly impossible without security programs.
Getting rid of JosepCrypt virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If JosepCrypt blocks installation or access to malware removal tool, follow these steps to solve the problem:
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 JosepCrypt using System Restore
-
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.
-
Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
-
Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
-
Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
-
When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of JosepCrypt. After doing that, click Next.
-
Now click Yes to start system restore.
-
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 JosepCrypt 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 JosepCrypt, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro might be useful after ransomware attack
It's not an official JosepCrypt decryptor. However, this tool might help to restore some of the encrypted data.
- Download Data Recovery Pro;
- Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
- Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by JosepCrypt ransomware;
- Restore them.
Use Windows Previous Versions feature
If you need to get back a few important files, this method might save your day. However, it's important that System Restore was enabled before the cyber attack.
- 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”.
Try ShadowExplorer
It's unknown if malware can delete Shadow Volume Copies of the encrypted files. If it fails to do that, this tool can help to eliminate the damage and restore some 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.
A free and safe decryption tool for JosepCrypt ransomware is not available yet
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from JosepCrypt 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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- ^ How does a computer become infected with Ransomware?. UC Berkeley. The official website.
- ^ Sharat Hegde. 11 Easy Ways to Identify Phishing Emails – Marketers Edition. Aritic blog. Blog on marketing, sales and customer support.
- ^ Dieviren. Dieviren. German security news.