CryptXXX v3.0 Ransomware Virus Removal

How to Remove CryptXXX v3.0 Ransomware?

Reader recently start to report the following message being displayed when they boot their computer:

All files including videos, photos and documents, etc on your computer are encrypted.
Encryptions was produced using a unique public key generated for this computer. To decrypt files, you need to obtain the private key.
The single copy of the private key, which will allow you to decrypt the files. Located on a secret server on the Internet; the server will destroy they key after a time specified in this window. After that nobody and never will be able to restore files.

 

CryptXXX v3.0 is a malicious cyber threat, which is an utter plague on your system. The infection is part of the ransomware family, which renders it notoriously invasive and harmful. Once the nasty tool slithers its way into your computer, it wastes no time and takes over entirely. Suddenly, you find your PC is under its complete control. Shortly after infiltration, the tool’s programming kicks in, and it does what it’s designed to do – extorts you for monetary gain. Oh, yes. CryptXXX v3.0 encrypts every single file you have stored on your computer, and once it’s impossible for you to access them, displays a ransom note, explaining the situation to you. In a nutshell, your data is locked, and if you wish to unlock it and be able to open it again, you must comply with the infection’s demands. If you play along and fulfill your end of the bargain, you’ll receive a decryption key and free your files. That’s the gist of it. But before you go on and pay up, as yourself this: Can these people be trusted? After all, you may be trusted to hold your end of the deal, but does that automatically apply for the unknown individuals behind the CryptXXX v3.0 tool? We’re talking about people, which designed a hazardous infection and unleashed it on the web. People, who take your data hostage and demand money for their freedom. All of that doesn’t quite scream ‘reliable,’ wouldn’t you say? Not to mention, the ransomware requires a staggering amount of money. And, worst of all, it’s not worth paying it because if you do, you’ll open the door to your private information to these malicious third parties with questionable intentions. There are many more negatives stacked against you than there are positives for complying. Heed experts’ warning and don’t pay the ransom! Choose your privacy over your data. It’s a hard decision, but it’s the right one. And, your future self will surely thank you for making it.

How did I get infected with?

Ransomware cannot appear on your computer unless you allow it to do so. It may sound confusing, but it’s rather straightforward. Take the CryptXXX v3.0 tool, for example. It didn’t just magically pop up one day. Oh, no. It’s bound to seek and receive your permission on its installation before it enters your system. And, unless you grant it – no admittance. And, here’s why caution is crucial! Such cyber threats prey on carelessness. They rely on your distraction, naivety, and haste to dupe you into approving them in, and slither in undetected.  That’s why you must be extra thorough and vigilant! The more careful you are, the better your chances of preventing such a terrible program from invading your system. More often than not, it turns to the old but gold means of infiltration to sneak in unnoticed. That includes hitching a ride with freeware or spam email attachments, pretending to be a bogus update, or hiding behind corrupted links of sites. There truly isn’t a way to stress this enough: be more careful! Always do your due diligence, and remember! Even a little extra attention goes a long, long way.

Why is CryptXXX v3.0 dangerous?

CryptXXX v3.0 is quite masterful at sneaking in. It invades your computer quietly via slyness and subtlety, and allows the people behind it to access your system, and execute the code required for the encryption process. And, all of a sudden, you find your files are not as you left them. They’re renamed with an added extension, and you can no longer open them. As soon as the encryption is complete, and you’ve made the terrible realization that everything you have – pictures, documents, music, videos, etc., is locked you’re greeted with a note. It states that CryptXXX v3.0 has encrypted your data, and to unlock it, you must pay approximately 5 Bitcoins. It provides you with the information you’ll need to complete its demands and sits back awaiting payment. Before you get the wrong idea of how cheap the decryption key is, know that 1 Bitcoin amounts to roughly $1000, which means that 5 of them are equal to around $5000. But even if you can pay, don’t! If you complete the exchange, you’re only setting yourself up for an even worse experience. How come? Well, think about it. Let’s go through the possible outcomes. You pay, these people give you decryption key, you apply it, and free your files. But what then? What’s stopping these strangers from attacking your system again the very next day?Nothing! You could easily fall victim to the ransomware again and again. So, that’s hardly a preferable option. But the others are far worse. For example, you can pay and receive a key that doesn’t work, or not receive one at all! Whichever way you look at it, you’re the one, drawing the short straw. And, that’s not even including the fact that when you pay, you grant access to your personal and financial information to these strangers. Does that seem like a good idea to you? Hardly. Do yourself a favor, and don’t comply with the infection’s requirements! It may not seem like it at firs, but that’s truly the best scenario. Discard your data in the name of your private life. In the grand scheme of life, these are just files. And, you have so much more to lose if you try to get them back. Privacy or files – choose wisely.

CryptXXX v3.0 Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover CryptXXX v3.0 Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with CryptXXX v3.0 encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate CryptXXX v3.0 encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.