SecureCryptor ransomware / virus (Free Guide)
SecureCryptor virus Removal Guide
What is SecureCryptor ransomware virus?
Everything you need to know about SecureCryptor virus
SecureCryptor virus is yet another example of a ransomware-type malware. Computer users should be extremely aware of this ransomware as it can destroy all files on the computer without a possibility to recover them. SecureCryptor ransomware ruins files by encrypting them with a special encryption algorithm, using private and public keys. The public key is used to encrypt the files, and the private key is the one that can decrypt them. Of course, as the virus locks all victim’s files, it removes the private key from the computer, and the only ones who has it are cyber criminals who have created SecureCryptor. What is more, this threat seems to be an updated version of Apocalypse ransomware, and also closely related to ApocalypseVM virus.
We must inform you that this virus can encrypt all types of files, and that means that it locks photos, music, video files, documents, presentations, archives, and so on. When the virus corrupts one file, it adds .encrypted file extension to its filename. This way, the victim can understand which files have been encrypted. After that, the ransomware threat creates and saves ransom notes on the computer, in fact, it creates an individual copy of a ransom note for each encrypted file. For instance, if the virus has encrypted a file that is named DOCUMENT.txt, then the ransom note will be called DOCUMENT.txt.Contact_Here_To_Recover_Your_Files.txt, and the encrypted file will be titled DOCUMENT.txt.encrypted. The ransom note holds a short message from crooks, stating that all records have been encrypted, and the only way to recover them is to pay a ransom. They provide an email address, recoveryhelp(@)bk.ru and tell the victim to send 1-2 encrypted files to them, so that they can decrypt them and prove that they do have the decryption key and it works.
The ransomware falsely claims that backups have been encrypted, too – please take note that such viruses can only encrypt or delete backups such as Volume Shadow Copies or storage drives that are connected to the computer during the encryption process. If you have a backup that you keep away from your computer on a device like a USB or a hard drive, you can import these files to your PC and recover at least part of them. Remember that you must remove SecureCryptor virus first with a powerful anti-malware program, for example, FortectIntego. If you do not have file copies a.k.a backups, you can decrypt your files with a help of SecureCryptor decryption tool, which was recently created by malware researchers.
How does this virus spread?
Currently, security experts say that ransomware threats mainly spread using similar techniques – they spread via malvertising and fake emails. We suggest you to avoid clicking on suspicious hyperlinks online, such as “This secret method will make you rich” or similar clickbait-sounding underlined lines, as most likely you are going to be redirected to scam websites and exposed to malicious content. You should also avoid clicking on intrusive pop-up ads, which suggest you to update programs or install new ones. If you see that unexpected windows or new tabs open in your browser all of a sudden, then you should scan your computer with a reputable anti-malware program for adware.
Commonly, cyber criminals send ransomware executive files directly to hundreds or even thousands of computer users via email. They tend to make these emails look secure, so be cautious! We recommend you to carefully inspect whether you know the sender of the email and then decide if you want to open it. If you do not, then make sure you delete such email right away. Do not let your curiosity kill you and do not open attached files or click on hyperlinks included in such questionable emails; otherwise, you will allow malicious files to enter your computer and wreak havoc on it.
How to remove SecureCryptor ransomware?
It is a tough virus, and it is hardly possible to remove it manually. Therefore, we believe that you should use an automatic malware removal tool, which was created by malware experts and computer security professionals. You will also need to follow these SecureCryptor removal instructions in order to install the anti-malware program on your PC, as the virus might try to stop you from removing it.
Getting rid of SecureCryptor 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
- 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 SecureCryptor 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 SecureCryptor. After doing that, click Next.
- Now click Yes to start system restore.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from SecureCryptor 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.