Crypto Ransomware Removal Guide

Crypto Ransomware is obviously a ransomware infection that targets computer users worldwide. Based on various reports it seems that the infection used to target mainly users in Russian, but starting from July it spread all over the world. Just like most of the ransomware applications, Crypto Ransomware enters target computers with the intention to steal your money. It might be very hard to remove Crypto Ransomware manually, so you need to invest in a powerful antispyware application that would terminate the infection’s payload, and you would not have to face the same application ever again.

Our security research team says that Crypto Ransomware is a ransomware with two infection stages. It means that it is a well-thought piece of malware that causes a lot of trouble to affected users. The same adware and freeware application distribution channels often distribute Crypto Ransomware, and, as a result, we can see that quite a lot of users get exposed to this infection without even realizing it. Fake flash installers are said to be one of the main distributors of Crypto Ransomware. Users encounter these fake promotional pop-ups when they access adware-supported websites, or accidentally click on outgoing links that redirect them to unreliable web pages.

Once you click a link on a pop-up that offers to install a Flash player update, you initiate the first stage of Crypto Ransomware infection. During the first stage user accidentally download a random .exe file that is run as Adobe Flash Player 10.3 r183. There is no need to say that Crypto Ransomware has nothing to do with Adobe Flash Player, and the file you install is used as a payload. This Trojan file connects to a remote Command and Control center to download and install the main ransomware file. And then you are in deep trouble.

When Crypto Ransomware runs, it encrypts your files, adding various extensions to the encrypted files, such as .ctbl. With a big portion of your files encrypted, you obviously cannot access them, and the ransomware infection makes it very obvious by displaying the following notification:

Your personal files are encrypted.

Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key, generated for this computer.

Private decryption key is stored on a secret Internet server and nobody can decrypt your files until you pay and obtain the private key.

The peculiar thing about Crypto Ransomware is that if you restart your computer the notification will disappear, and you will be able to operate your PC normally. However, your files will remain encrypted, and it is not guaranteed that Crypto Ransomware will decrypt them even if you pay for the private key. This is why it is vitally IMPORTANT always to keep a backup of your files because you can never know when you can experience such a devastating infection.

What is more, even if you were to locate the file that remains once Crypto Ransomware runs, deleting the file would not do any good because the fake Flash player would auto-start again, and it would download the ransomware file once more. Your best bet in this situation is to delete the payload file that would stop the infection from regenerating.

Download SpyHunter free scanner and scan your PC to locate the payload file. Afterward, invest in a licensed computer security program that would help you remove all the malware-related files automatically. And please think again about getting a file back-up because you cannot risk losing important information. If you have any additional questions on Crypto Ransomware, please do not hesitate to leave us a comment.