Crypton is a Aurora family of ransomware-type infections1. This infection encrypts your private files (video, photos, documents). The crypted files can be tracked by specific “.crypton” extension. So, you can’t obtain access to them at all.
In this guide I will try to help you remove Crypton ransomware for free. As bonus I will assist you in decoding your crypted files.
What is “Crypton”?
Crypton can be correctly identify as a ransomware-type infection.
Ransomware is a kind of virus that crypted your documents and then forces you to pay to restore them. Note that Aurora ransomware family was first revealed and analyzed by virus analyst Michael Gillespie2.Crypton is similar to other representatives of ransomware like: Piny, Redl, Mkos. It crypted all popular file types. Hence, users cannot use the your documents . Crypton adds its own “.crypton” extension into all files. For instance, the file “video.avi”, will be changed into “video.avi.crypton”. As soon as the encryption is successfully accomplished, Crypton drops a specific text file “_readme.txt” and puts it into all folders that contain the modified files.
Here is a short info for the Crypton:
| Ransomware family | Aurora ransomware |
| Extension | .crypton |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | Bitcoins |
| Contact | spacedatax@gmail.com |
| Detection3 | Ransom.Crypton, Generik.MXBHIZS, Strictor.228565 |
| Symptoms | Most of your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .crypton extension and you can’t open it |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .crypton file virus |
| Decryptor Tool | Aurora decryptor |
This text asking payment is for get files back via decryption key:
The scary alert demanding from users to pay the ransom to decrypt the compromised data contains these frustrating warnings
The cryptography algorithm used by Crypton is XTEA + RSA. So, if your files got encrypted with a specific decryption key, which is totally and there are no other copies. The sad reality is that it is impossible to restore the information without the unique key available.
In case if Crypton worked in online mode, it is impossible for you to gain access to the XTEA + RSA key. It is stored on a distant server owned by the frauds who distribute the Crypton virus.
For receiving decryption key the payment should be in Bitcoins. To obtain the payment details the victims are encouraged by the message to contact the frauds by email spacedatax@gmail.com), or via Telegram.
Do not pay for Crypton!
Please, try to use the available backups, or Decrypter tool
_readme.txt file also indicates that the computer owners must get in touch with the Crypton representatives during 72 hours starting from the moment of files were encrypted. On the condition of getting in touch within 72 hours, users will be granted a 50% rebate, thus the ransom amount will be minimized down to $490). Yet, stay away from paying the ransom!
I definitely advise that you do not contact these frauds and do not pay. One of the most real working solutions to recover the lost data – just using the available backups, or use the Decrypter tool.
The peculiarity of all such viruses applies a similar set of actions for generating the unique decryption key to recover the ciphered data.
Thus, unless the ransomware is still under the stage of development or possesses some hard-to-track flaws, manually recovering the ciphered data is a thing you can’t really perform. The only solution to prevent the loss of your valuable data is to regularly make backups of your crucial files.
Note that even if you do maintain such backups regularly, they ought to be put into a specific location without loitering, not being connected to your main workstation.
For instance, the backup may be kept on the USB flash drive or some alternative external hard drive storage. Optionally, you may refer to the help of online (cloud) information storage.
Needless to mention when you maintain your backup data on your common device, it may be similarly ciphered as well as other data.
For this reason, locating the backup on your main computer is surely not a good idea.
How I was infected?
Crypton has a various methods to built into your system. But it doesn’t really matter what way was used in your case.
Crypton attack following a successful phishing attempt.
- hidden installation along with other apps, especially the utilities that work as freeware or shareware;
- dubious link in spam emails leading to the Crypton installer
- online free hosting resources;
- using illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) resources for downloading pirated software.
There were cases when the Crypton virus was disguised as some legitimate tool, for example, in the messages demanding to initiate some unwanted software or browser updates. This is typically the way how some online frauds aim to force you into installing the Crypton ransomware manually, by actually making you directly participate in this process.
Surely, the bogus update alert will not indicate that you are going to actually inject the Crypton ransomware. This installation will be concealed under some alert mentioning that allegedly you should update Adobe Flash Player or some other dubious program whatsoever.
Of course, the cracked apps represent the damage too. Using P2P is both illegal and may result in the injection of serious malware, including the Crypton ransomware.
To sum up, what can you do to avoid the injection of the Crypton ransomware into your device? Even though there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your PC from getting damaged, there are certain tips I want to give you to prevent Crypton penetration. You must be cautious while installing free software today.
Make sure you always read what the installers offer in addition to the main free program. Stay away from opening dubious email attachments. Do not open files from the unknown addressees. Of course, your current security program must be always updated.
The malware does not speak openly about itself. It will not be mentioned in the list of your available programs. However, it will be masked under some malicious process running regularly in the background, starting from the moment when you launch your computer.
The image below gives a clear vision of how the files with “.crypton” extension look like:
Example of crypted .crypton files
How to remove Crypton virus?
In addition to encode a victim’s files, the Crypton infection has also started to install the Azorult Spyware on system to steal account credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, desktop files, and more.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft4
The is an excellent way to deal with recognizing and removing threats – using Gridinsoft Anti-Malware. This program will scan your PC, find and neutralize all suspicious processes5.
Download Removal Tool.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Run the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the install-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your PC.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Crypton infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
How to decrypt .crypton files?
Restore solution for big “.crypton files“
Try removing .crypton extension on a few BIG files and opening them. Either the Crypton infection read and did not encrypt the file, or it bugged and did not add the filemarker. If your files are very large (2GB+), the latter is most likely. Please, let me know in comments if that will work for you.
You can download free decryption tool here: Decryptor for Aurora.
Download and run decryption tool.
Start downloading the decryption tool.
Make sure to launch the decryption utility as an administrator. You need to agree with the license terms that will come up. For this purpose, click on the “Yes” button:
As soon as you accept the license terms, the main decryptor user interface comes up:
Select folders for decryption.
Based on the default settings, the decryptor will automatically populate the available locations in order to decrypt the currently available drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. Extra (optional) locations can be selected with the help of the “Add” button.
Decryptors normally suggest several options considering the specific malware family. The currently possible options are presented in the Options tab and can be activated or deactivated there. You may locate a detailed list of the currently active Options below.
Click on the “Decrypt” button.
As soon as yo add all the desired locations for decryption into the list, click on the “Decrypt” button in order to initiate the decryption procedure.
Note that the main screen may turn you to a status view, letting you know of the active process and the decryption statistics of your data:
The decryptor will notify you as soon as the decryption procedure is completed. If you need the report for your personal papers, you can save it by choosing the “Save log” button. Note that it is also possible to copy it directly to your clipboard and to paste it into emails or forum messages if you need to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I open “.crypton” files?
crypton files contain important information. How can I decrypt them urgently?
If not, then you can try to restore them through the system function – Restore Point.
All other methods will require patience.
You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Crypton. Does this mean that the program will delete my encrypted files?
You need GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove active system infections. The virus that encrypted your files is most likely still active and periodically,
runs a test for the ability to encrypt even more files. In addition, these viruses install keyloggers and backdoors for further malicious actions
(for example theft of passwords, credit cards) often.
Decrytor did not decrypt all my files, or not all of them were decrypted. What should I do?
We will keep you posted on when new Crypton keys or new decryption programs appear.
Video Guide
It’s my favorite video tutorial: How to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware and Emsisoft Decryptor for fix ransomware infections.
If the guide doesn’t help you to remove Crypton virus, please download the GridinSoft Anti-Malware that I recommended. Also, you can always ask me in the comments for getting help. Good luck!
User Review
( votes)References
- Ransomware-type infection: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransomware
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/demonslay335
- Encyclopedia of threats.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
