Infected with CryptXXX? Need to decrypt your files?

What is CryptXXX

CryptXXX is another ransomware virus that is distributed with Angler Exploit Kit and is related to the developers of Reveton ransomware. It uses RSA-4096 algorithm to encrypt user files and asks $500 ransom. CryptXXX adds .crypt extension to all affected files. Good news are that this files can be decrypted for free using RannohDecryptor tool from Kaspersky. During the process of encryption, CryptXXX creates files (de_crypt_readme.bmp, de_crypt_readme.html, and de_crypt_readme.txt) that contain instructions and links to pay the ransom. Sometimes hackers try to scare users by saying that files are encrypted by FBI or Homeland Security. Don’t disclose your bank details to cyber-criminals and block the card if you already paid the ransom. Read the article below to remove CryptXXX and decrypt .crypt files for free.

cryptxxx virus

How CryptXXX infected your PC

CryptXXX is mostly distributed using spam e-mails. Process of encryption is activated by macros from inside .doc or .xls document. But it may also spread via fake updates peer to peer networks, trojans. It is important to be attentive while downloading files sent from unknown senders and third party sources. All installed software should be kept updated. Use a legitimate anti-spyware/anti-virus suite. Way to protect your computer from such threats is to use antiviruses with crypto-protection like HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard.

First of all don’t panic. Follow these easy steps below.

1. Start your computer in Safe Mode with networking. To do that, restart your computer, before your system starts hit F8 several times. This will stop system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with networking option from the options list using up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.
2. Log in to the system infected with the CryptXXX virus. Launch your Internet browser and download a reliable anti-malware program and start a full system scan. Once the scan is complete, review scan results and remove all entries detected.

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Step 2: Remove following files and folders of CryptXXX:

Remove following registry entries:


no information

Remove following files:


de_crypt_readme.bmp
de_crypt_readme.txt
de_crypt_readme.html
%AppData%\[id].dat
%Temp%\{C3F31E62-344D-4056-BF01-BF77B94E0254}\api-ms-win-system-softpub-l1-1-0.dll
%Temp%\{D075E5D0-4442-4108-850E-3AD2874B270C} \api-ms-win-system-provsvc-l1-1-0.dll
%Temp%\{D4A2C643-5399-4F4F-B9BF-ECB1A25644A6}\api-ms-win-system-wer-l1-1-0.dll
%Temp%\{FD68402A-8F8F-4B3D-9808-174323767296}\api-ms-win-system-advpack-l1-1-0.dll

How to decrypt files infected by CryptXXX (.crypt files)?

Use automated decryption tools

kaspersky .crypt decryptor

There is ransomware decryptor from Kaspersky that may decrypt .crypt files decryption. It is free and may help you restore files encrypted by CryptXXX. Download it from this page:

Download Kaspersky Ransomware Decryptor

You can also try to use manual methods to restore and decrypt .crypt files.

Decrypt .crypt files manually

Restore the system using System Restore

system restore

Although, latest versions of CryptXXX remove system restore files, this method may help you partially restore your files. Give it a try and use standard System Restore to revive your data.

  1. Initiate the search for ‘system restore
  2. Click on the result
  3. Choose the date before the infection appearance
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions

Roll the files back to the previous version

Previous versions can be copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup (if it is active) or copies of files and folders created by System Restore. You can use this feature to restore files and folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged (in our case – encrypted by CryptXXX). This feature is available in Windows 7 and later versions.

windows previous versions

  1. Right-click the file and choose Properties
  2. Open the Previous Version tab
  3. Select the latest version and click Copy
  4. Click Restore

Restore .crypt files using shadow copies

shadow explorer gui

  1. Download and run Shadow Explorer.
  2. Select the drive and folder where your files are located and date that you want to restore them from.
  3. Right-click on folder you want to restore and select Export.
  4. Once the scanning process is done, click Recover to restore your files.

Protect your computer from ransomware

hitmanpro alert with cryptoguard

Most modern antiviruses can protect your PC from ransomware and crypto-trojans, but thousands of people still get infected. There are several programs that use different approach t protect from ransomware and lockers. One of the best is HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard. You may already know HitmanPro as famous cloud-based anti-malware scanner. Check out ultimate active protection software from SurfRight.

Download HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard

Information provided by: Alexey Abalmasov

2 Comments

  1. Thank you. I had this terrible ransomware on a very old desktop still running Windows XP. I was able to get rid of it (I think) using Malwarebytes (ran it twice) and then using Hitman free. I was also able to use the Kaspersky tool to decrypt most of my files. Now I have a question- is there a way to delete all of the old .crypt files all at once?

    • Hi,
      if you are using Kaspersky there is an option to delete encrypted files while Scanning.
      if you have already done, you can use the command prompt to remove all the .crypt files using the following in the command prompt:

      d:\> del *.crypt /s

      notes:
      1- the (/s) means delete from all sub-directories
      2- you should first be on the location of your decrypted files (use c:\> cd [path]) to stand on the correct locaion.

      hope this helps

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