Remove XCrypt Ransomware and Restore Files

How to Remove XCrypt Ransomware?

Readers recently started to report the following message being displayed when they boot their computer:

Ваш компьютеер был взломан!
Все Ваши файлы теперь зашифрованы.
К сожалению для Вас, программисты и полиция
не смогут Вам помочь.
Для расшифровки обратитесь к оператору по ICQ.

ВАЖНО! Запишите номер нашей ICQ 714 595 302
Ярлык этого окна создан на Вашем рабочем столе,
но Вы можете удалить его и потеряете наши контакты,
следовательно потеряете все Ваши файлы.
icq 714 595 302

One of the newest file-encrypting parasites is called XCrypt Ransomware. Long story short, it isn’t a program that you’d want to deal with. Ransomware is indeed quite a pest. The XCrypt Virus overall follows the classic pattern. The only difference is that it doesn’t add an extension to the files it encrypts. Everything else is pretty much standard. Take your time to check out our article. In the never-ending battle against ransomware the more informed you are, the better. Do not underestimate the parasite you’re now stuck with. After all, ransomware is one of the worst infections online along with Trojans. There is absolutely no reason to keep the virus on board. There are numerous reasons to uninstall it, though. The XCrypt Ransomware starts its shenanigans just like all the other file-encrypting programs out there. With a scan. Your entire PC system gets thoroughly scanned as the parasite is searching for files to lock. Ransomware always finds what it’s searching for. Music, photos, videos, Microsoft Office documents, etc. Consider all your personal data no longer accessible. As mentioned, this program doesn’t add a malicious appendix to the target files. It does encrypt them, though. Once encryption is complete, you can wave your favorite files goodbye. They are turned into unreadable, inaccessible gibberish and your PC can’t open them. Needless to say, this trickery could cause some immense harm. Keep backup copies of your data in order to prevent the damage ransomware brings along. Don’t think that hackers can’t get to you because they can. They only need one single moment of distraction online and voila. You have a vicious file-encrypting virus on board. The XCrypt Ransomware adds a Help.jpg file to every single folder that contains locked data. It also modifies your desktop wallpaper so now you can’t get rid of the ransom note. According to this message, you have to make a payment. The instructions are in Russian and provide you an ICQ number (1СС 714 595 302). You’re supposed to use it to contact the ransomware’s developers. Don’t even consider doing that. You’d fall directly into hackers’ aggravating trap and lose money. Instead, delete the sneaky XCrypt parasite ASAP.

How did I get infected with?

There are many plausible scenarios. Ransomware applies various techniques to get spread online. The number one method involves spam messages and email-attachments. It is both easy and super efficient. Hackers just attach the parasite to some seemingly safe email. Your curiosity does the rest. Next time you receive an email from a sender you don’t personally know, delete it. There might be a parasite lurking behind it. There might be a whole bunch of infections as well. Do not take any chances when it comes to your security. Pay attention to what you click open as the Internet is filled with ransomware. The only way to prevent infiltration is by being cautious. Stay away from random third-party pop-ups and illegitimate websites. Also, do not rush the installation process when you download bundled programs. This is yet another method ransomware uses to travel the Web. Instead of rushing, opt for the Custom/Advanced option in the Setup Wizard. The XCrypt Ransomware might have used some help from a Trojan horse too. Watch out for unreliable programs and avoid unverified pages. Last but not least, ransomware could pretend to be a software update or a torrent. Put your safety first and make sure you never have to deal with ransomware again.

Why is XCrypt dangerous?

On theory, paying the ransom guarantees you a decryption key. On practice, though, it guarantees you nothing. Ransomware gets developed to serve one purpose only – steal your Bitcoins. Therefore, keep in mind that the ransom notes aren’t to be trusted. Every cent hackers gain will be used for more parasites to be developed. Ultimately, more PC users will be harassed. Are you willing to sponsor the malicious business of greedy cyber criminals? No? We thought so. Then tackle the ransomware as soon as possible and don’t pay anything. XCrypt Ransomware uses a complicated encrypting algorithm to lock your files. It holds them hostage and plays mind games with you. If you believe the parasite’s lies, you lose money. That’s how it works. Forget about the parasite’s empty promises and bogus threats right away. Crooks will not deliver any decryptor so don’t be naive. To get rid of the virus for good, please follow our manual removal guide down below.

XCrypt Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover XCrypt 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 XCrypt 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 XCrypt 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.