How to Remove JobCrypter Ransomware

How to Remove JobCrypter Ransomware?

JobCrypter is something you want as far away from your computer as possible. Why? Well, it’s a representative of, arguably, the worst type of cyber infections, roaming the internet. It’s ransomware. And, such applications are not infections, you want to catch. Ever. Not that there exists one, which you would, but in a list, comprised of the worst of the worst, ransomware infections will be at the top. Why, you wonder? After all, there are a lot of harmful, invasive tools out there. Why is this particular type so special? Well, perhaps, because ransomware is programmed to target your supposed weakness – your data. Once JobCrypter slithers into your system, it’s designed to encrypt every single file, you have stored on your computer. That includes pictures, videos, music, documents, everything! Nothing is safe from its reach. And, as you might have guessed from the name, once the tool’s encryption process is complete, it demands ransom. It renders your files utterly inaccessible and then requests you to pay ransom if you wish to liberate them from the pesky program. A typical hostage situation one might say. And, we all now how these tend to end. That’s why experts advise you NOT to go through with the infection’s ransom request, regardless of what it is exactly. Even if it asks for $1 or a bottle cap, do NOT comply! Your situation will only worsen if you do. The best course of action you can take is to forsake your files. Yes, it may sound harsh, but it’s truly the best in a ‘worst type’ of a situation. Accept that this is a game you can’t win a the odds are stacked against you from the start. Forsake your files. They’re not worth your privacy.

How did I get infected with?

Ransomware applications are masters in the arts of deception, and JobCrypter is no exception. It’s quite resourceful when it comes to infiltrating your system. In fact, the infection is so skilled that it manages to invade your PC without you even aware of it. By the time you do realize there’s an infection on your system, it’s already too late as the damage is already done. That moment of sudden awareness usually hits you after you find your files encrypted. How do you suppose you get stuck with such a hazardous application and not even know it? Well, it’s pretty straightforward. Tools like JobCrypter tend to slither in undetected by resorting to every trick in the book. That tends to include the old but gold means of infiltration as they’ve proven their worth over time – hiding behind spam email attachments, freeware, corrupted links or sites, or pretending to be a fake update. More often than not, you get stuck with the ransomware because of your naivety and placing your trust where you shouldn’t. More particularly, opening an email from an unknown sender and, what’s worse, opening or downloading the attachment, accompanying the email. Do NOT do that! Ever. Play it safe. Always do your due diligence and don’t give into distraction, gullibility, and haste. Remember, infections like JobCrypter prey on such thing. Carelessness will not bring you any positives while even a little extra attention goes a long way.

Why is JobCrypter dangerous?

After JobCrypter makes its way to your computer, it goes to work. It hardly wastes time and takes your data hostage. When the encryption is finished, you can no longer open any of your files. Not one picture, video, document, or anything else. The tool adds a .locked extension at the end of each file, thus renaming it so as to complete the encryption process. For example, if one of the songs you keep on your PC is named ‘track01,’ after the ransomware strikes, you’ll find it ‘track01.locked.’ Afterward, JobCrypter creates a txt file, which contains its demands and payment instructions, and places it in every compromised folder and, usually, on your desktop, as well. You’ll find the application demands payment for the return of your data. Supposedly, if you comply, it will send you a decryption key, which will release your captive files. If you wish to free JobCrypter’s hostages and unlock everything, you have to pay a ransom of 300 euros, using the Paysafecard. Now, even if that seems like a small price to pay for the safe return of your data, don’t do it! It’s a trap. If you comply with the ransom requirement, you’ll only set yourself for further unpleasantness and fall deeper into the abyss of troubles. How come? Well, if you are to complete the payment, you’ll have to provide personal and financial information, which will undoubtedly find its way into the hands of the unknown third parties behind the ransomware tool. Think about it. Strangers with questionable, most likely wicked, intentions with access to your private life. Does that sound like it will end well for you? Hardly. Why don’t you do yourself a favor, and choose your privacy over your data? It may be a difficult decision to make, but it’s surely the right one.

JobCrypter Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover JobCrypter 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 JobCrypter 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 JobCrypter 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.