MCrypt2018 ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
MCrypt2018 ransomware is a cryptovirus that encrypts data using DiskCryptor functionality and then demands to contact the developer. This threat can also be called CRP.Net3 because the main executable of this virus is called CRPDOTNET3.exe.
Facts checked October 7, 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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MCrypt2018 ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Unprotected RDP, spam email attachments |
|---|---|
| Name | MCrypt2018 ransomware |
| Type | Cryptovirus |
| Related to | HDDCryptor |
| Email address to contact virus developers | mcrypt2018@yandex.com |
| Encrypts | The entire disk instead of separate files |
| 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 12 more facts
| Encryption tool | DiskCryptor |
|---|---|
| The main .exe file | CRPDOTNET3.exe |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Ransom note | A message left on the computer; the so-called encryption is followed by the note which is placed on the system when the user restarts the device; the text is quoted in full below |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 5 November 2018 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Nov 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on MCrypt2018 ransomware
- For MCrypt2018 ransomware removal use
How MCrypt2018 ransomware behaves
From our report of Nov 2018 · not reviewed since
MCrypt2018 ransomware is a cyber threat that can also be named CRP.Net3 ransomware
MCrypt2018 ransomware is a cryptovirus that encrypts data using DiskCryptor functionality and then demands to contact the developer.
This threat can also be called CRP.Net3 because the main executable of this virus is called CRPDOTNET3.exe. Similarly to HDDCryptor, Bad Rabbit, MBR-ONI and other crypto viruses, the ransomware does not encrypt data but locks the whole drive using the DiskCryptor utility, so there is no file appendix added to the locked files.
The so-called encryption is followed by the note which is placed on the system when the user restarts the device. Then, the black window is displayed in the message stating nothing more than a suggestion to contact the criminals behind ransomware via mcrypt2018@yandex.com email address.
In most cases, criminals seek to trick their victims to pay the ransom for the alleged file recovery key. However, paying the ransom as well as contacting virus developers can lead to permanent money or data loss, so you shouldn't do that.
When it comes to the main functionality of ransomware viruses, it becomes clear that MCrypt2018 virus is not such a typical cryptovirus. There is no specific encryption algorithm used to encrypt data, no file extension or ransom note - main features used by widely-spread ransomware.
This particular cyber threat locks the whole disk by using DiskCryptor for the process. This utility is an open-source system that allows virus developer to lock an entire hard drive of the infected device. This tool is based on the AES-256 encryption algorithm but often employs a combination of a few different methods.
When MCrypt2018 ransomware virus infiltrates the system, it starts changing various parts of the system to keep the payload running on the device undetected for as long as possible. Ransomware can alter registry entries and place various files on the system. Data associated with this ransomware includes the following:
Additionally, MCrypt2018 ransomware encrypts the whole hard disk and lets you know about itself only the process is finished and your data on that disk is fully locked. The rebooted device displays the black window with the following ransom message:
Ransomware, including this variant, is one of the most dangerous cyber threats, and you need to make sure that you eliminate all related files, programs and the main virus before you start thinking about file recovery. There is no officially developed decryption tool, but there is a possibility to restore data using recovery software. We suggest a few options down below.
However, remember to remove MCrypt2018 ransomware first and use tools developed for the virus, like this crypto-extortionist elimination. Researchers at Virusai.lt recommend using for the automatic virus termination and general system cleaning.
You can also employ different anti-malware tools for MCrypt2018 ransomware removal, make sure to choose wisely. Reputable anti-malware programs detect various threats and delete them while thoroughly cleaning the system. You can find a few alternative suggestions below the article. Also, we have prepared a full step-by-step guide of data recovery options down there.
- the main CRPDOTNET3.exe;
- netpass.txt;
- mount.exe;
- dcapi.dll;
- dcrypt.exe;
- log_file.txt ;
- netuse.txt.;
- etc.
From our report of Nov 2018 · not reviewed since
Ransomware loads the direct malicious file on the PC from a spam email attachment
Spam email campaigns nowadays can be used in a wide range of cyber attacks.
That include ransomware infiltrations also. People get emails every day and not paying attention may lead to scams, malware or ransomware infections. The email that delivers malicious files to your system may look legitimate and useful because malicious actors employ various deceptive techniques of malware distributing.
The most common thing about insecure emails that you can notice is the misuse of well-known company names or services. People tend to open these commonly found emails without much thought but then the "financial information" attachment distributes unwanted content the minute you download a safe-looking document on the system.
You should try scanning the MS Excel or Word documents attached to suspicious emails first before opening them on the computer. Then you can be sure there is nothing malicious about the file. Also, be aware that services are not sending order information or receipts for non-customers and these emails rarely contain grammar mistakes or typos.
The MCrypt2018 ransomware note
You have Been Hacked, the ALL the Data the Encrypted, Key Contact For
Our Email: mcrypt2018@yandex.com
YourID:
Your the Hostname:
the Enter Key:
How to remove MCrypt2018 ransomware
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 MCrypt2018 ransomware 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
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so MCrypt2018 ransomware cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
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
The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.
Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.
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
Our last check found that for MCrypt2018 ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing MCrypt2018 ransomware does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and 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
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
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
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that MCrypt2018 ransomware deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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 Nov 2018 · not reviewed since
MCrypt2018 ransomware elimination require using professional anti-malware tools
When you want to remove MCrypt2018 ransomware from the system completely, you need to do that quickly after noticing the suspicious activity.
Since this is one of the most dangerous cyber threats, manual virus termination is not recommended. These programs can perform a full system scan and find additional malicious files associated with the main ransomware.
Thorough system cleaning during the automatic MCrypt2018 ransomware removal is crucial if you want to attempt data recovery. If you add USB stick or any other external device to the insecure system, you may lose your data permanently because ransomware can encrypt additional data.
Follow steps your antivirus suggests, terminate MCrypt2018 ransomware and double-check if the system is clear again. Also, use these steps listed below that helps with the removal furthermore. Then check data recovery methods and comment below about your success or struggles during these processes.
[GI=method-1]MCrypt2018 ransomware virus may alter significant parts of the system, so you may need to enter the Safe Mode with Networking before scanning the device. Follow these steps to do so:
[GI=method-2]System Restore is a feature on Windows OS that allows you to reset the system to a specific time. This method may help undo the damage MCrypt2018 ransomware caused already:
It also recovers your accidentally deleted data
Windows Previous Versions feature is another alternative for file recovery
You could restore your files after MCrypt2018 ransomware encryption using Windows Previous Versions if System Restore was enabled before the attack
Benefits of the file recovery using ShadowExplorer
If Shadow Volume Copies remain on the system, you can restore your files encrypted by the ransom-demanding virus
Decryption is not possible
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.
Make the next attack harmless
MCrypt2018 ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (MCrypt2018 ransomware in the list of installed apps) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
Questions about MCrypt2018 ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in the ransom note?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
Is there a free MCrypt2018 ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for MCrypt2018 ransomware no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "MCrypt2018 ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
How did MCrypt2018 ransomware get on my computer?
The way MCrypt2018 ransomware 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 MCrypt2018 ransomware in the list of installed apps, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Did MCrypt2018 ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by MCrypt2018 ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is MCrypt2018 ransomware in the list of installed apps, 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 MCrypt2018 ransomware 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.
What does the ransom note tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name the ransom note, the wording, the contact addresses and the format of the personal ID are typical for each family. Uploading the note together with one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff usually names the family within seconds.
That name decides your options: some families have free decryptors, some can be partially recovered, and some cannot be decrypted at all. The note's claims about stolen data should be taken seriously but not at face value.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by MCrypt2018?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that MCrypt2018 adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
Will Fortect remove MCrypt2018 ransomware?
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 MCrypt2018 ransomware, 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
- Medium: Ransomware encryption techniques (read October 7, 2026)
- Virusai: Virusai (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)