The Kriptor virus belongs under the ransomware type of infection. A harmful program of such sort encrypts all the data on your PC (images, documents, excel sheets, audio files, videos, etc). It appends its extension to every file, creating the read_it.txt text files in every folder which contains the encrypted files.
What is known about the Kriptor ransomware?
☝️ A scientifically accurate designation for the Kriptor would be “a ransomware malicious agent”.
Kriptor will append its own .Kriptor extension to every file’s name. For example, an image named “photo.jpg” will be altered to “photo.jpg.Kriptor”. Likewise, the Excel sheet named “table.xlsx” will end up as “table.xlsx.Kriptor”, and so forth.
In every directory containing the encoded files, a read_it.txt text file will appear. It is a ransom money note. Therein you can find information on how to contact the racketeers and other information. The ransom note usually contains instructions on how to buy the decryption tool from the ransomware developers. You can get this decrypting software after contacting [email protected], [email protected] by email. That is it.
Kriptor outline:
| Name | Kriptor Virus |
| Extension | .Kriptor |
| Ransomware note | read_it.txt |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | Ransom:MSIL/Revilcrypt.PAA!MTB, MSIL/Filecoder.ASA, Win32/GenKryptik.FXUA |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .Kriptor extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Kriptor virus |
The read_it.txt document accompanying the Kriptor ransomware provides the following discouraging information:
Don\'t worry, you can return all your files! All your files like documents, photos, databases and other important are encrypted What guarantees do we give to you? You can send 3 of your encrypted files and we decrypt it for free. You must follow these steps To decrypt your files : 1) Write on our e-mail :[email protected] ( In case of no answer in 24 hours check your spam folder or write us to this e-mail: [email protected]) 2) Obtain Bitcoin (You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.)
In the picture below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Kriptor looks like. Each filename has the “.Kriptor” extension appended to it.
An example of encrypted .Kriptor files.
How did my machine catch Kriptor ransomware?
There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware injection.
There are currently three most exploited ways for criminals to have the Kriptor virus acting in your system. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer file transfer.
If you access your mailbox and see letters that look just like notifications from utility services providers, delivery agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose mailer is unknown to you, beware of opening those emails. They are most likely to have a harmful file attached to them. So it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan virus scheme1. A Trojan is a program that infiltrates into your computer pretending to be something else. Imagine, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some service. However, what is unpacked reveals itself a harmful agent that encrypts your data. Since the installation package can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the source of the things you’re downloading. The optimal thing is to trust the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer networks like BitTorrent or eMule, the threat is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Web. You can never know what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy websites. Also, it is a good idea to scan the folder containing the downloaded items with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is complete.
How to remove the Kriptor virus?
It is crucial to inform you that besides encrypting your data, the Kriptor virus will probably install the Azorult Spyware on your computer to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned program can derive your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Often racketeers would decrypt few of your files to prove that they really have the decryption tool. As Kriptor virus is a relatively recent ransomware, anti-malware engineers have not yet found a way to undo its work. However, the decryption tools are constantly upgraded, so the solution may soon be available.
Understandably, if the criminals do the job of encrypting someone’s critical data, the desperate person will probably comply with their demands. Nevertheless, paying to criminals gives no guarantee that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still risky. After getting the ransom, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption key to the victim. There were reports of malefactors just disappearing after getting the ransom without even bothering to reply.
The best safety measure against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud storage or at least on an external storage. Of course, that might be not enough. Your most important thing could be that one you were working upon when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also reasonable to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the system is rolled back.
There are other ransomware products, besides Kriptor, that work similarly. For instance, Hhwq, Llqq, Lltt, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Kriptor are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: documents become inaccessible, their extensions altered, ransom notes are created in each directory containing encoded files.
Some fortunate people were able to decrypt the arrested files with the help of the free tools provided by anti-malware specialists. Sometimes the hackers mistakenly send the decryption code to the victims in the ransom readme. Such an extraordinary fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But of course, one should never expect such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a criminals’ tool to pull the money out of their victims.
How to avoid ransomware infiltration?
Kriptor ransomware has no superpower, neither does any similar malware.
You can armour your PC from its injection in several easy steps:
- Never open any emails from unknown mailboxes with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (how can you win in a money prize draw without participating in it?). If the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the questionable email with caution. A hoax letter will always contain mistakes.
- Never use cracked or untrusted software. Trojans are often spreaded as an element of cracked software, possibly under the guise of “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, untrusted programs are very hard to distinguish from reliable software, because trojans may also have the functionality you need. You can try searching for information about this program on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal solution is not to use such programs at all.
- And finally, to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, scan them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a powerful defense for your PC.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft2
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft3.
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 setup-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 PC for Kriptor 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 finished, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
🤔 How can I open “.Kriptor” files?Can I somehow access “.Kriptor” files?
Unfortunately, no. You need to decipher the “.Kriptor” files first. Then you will be able to open them.
🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.Kriptor” files ASAP. How can I do that?
Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Kriptor virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?
Of course not. Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with actual threats. The virus that has infected your computer is most likely still active and it scans your system every so often to encode any new files you might create on your PC after the initial attack. As it has already been said, the Kriptor ransomware does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide malefactors with easy access to your computer in the future.
🤔 What actions should I take if the Kriptor malware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.
In such an unfortunate situation, you need to have a memory stick with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the cleaning. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system boots and encrypts any new files created or imported into your PC. To stop this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential applications to run upon system start. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 And what should I do now?
Some of the blocked files can be located elsewhere.
- If you sent or received your important files by email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or family members. Simply ask them to send those images back to you.
- If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud disks might have all those files too.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old PC, a laptop, mobile, flash memory, etc.
HINT: You can use data recovery utilities4 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware blocks the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the video below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the ransomware itself with an anti-malware program.
Also, you can contact the following governmental fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove KRIPTOR Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: KRIPTOR Virus
Description: KRIPTOR Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .Kriptor extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
- Here are Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
