I wrote this article to help you remove Crypt32@mail.ru Ransomware. This Crypt32@mail.ru Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
Crypt32@mail.ru ransomware is a variant of Apocalypse ransomware. This win-locker has a lot of versions made. The people behind the scheme constantly change their contact address. This is why some builds are referred to by the contact email, like in this instance. Crypt32@mail.ru ransomware has gained prominence due to its high rate of distribution. The virus has been a part of an aggressive spam email campaign. This is how people have their computers infected.
The spam emails carrying Crypt32@mail.ru ransomware can have various topics. For instance, the message can tell you there is a delivery package for you at your local post office. There will be an attachment to the message, listed as a receipt. The sender will instruct you to print the document and bring it with you. When you open the file, Crypt32@mail.ru ransomware will be unleashed into your machine. Whatever the attachment is stated to be, the spammer will tell you to access it right away. Other common examples for fake documentation include invoices, bills, fines, bank statements, and legal notices. To filter bogus emails from legitimate messages, check the available contacts. In many cases, spammers write on behalf of existing organizations. This makes it easy to do a checkup. Just visit the official website of the entity in question and consult the contacts page.
Crypt32@mail.ru ransomware targets 567 file types. Your text documents, photos, archives, videos, audios, databases, and other personal files will be rendered inaccessible. The sinister program marks the encrypted objects with the .[crypt32@mail.ru].mgazadcanwa2aa appendix. This makes it easy to recognize the infected files and evaluate the damage. The attackers take advantage of users’ distress. They try to convince them that the only way to have their data restored is by collaborating. In a text document, the cyber criminals notify the victim that his files have been encrypted and state that the only way out of the situation is to pay a ransom.
The ransom note of Crypt32@mail.ru ransomware is titled CRYPTOKILL_README.txt. The file contains all the necessary details about the payment process. The renegade developers have set the ransom at 0.21753 BTC. This converts to about $229.28 USD. Note that the exchange rate changes every day. Most win-lockers ask people to pay in bitcoins because this cryptocurrency protects the anonymity of the involved parties. When registering a bitcoin wallet, the crooks do not have to list personal details. They can transfer the received payments to a bank account seamlessly. By default, bitcoin trading websites cannot trace the route of the money flow. These terms apply to all licensed vendor platforms, they cannot be reset by the owner of the domain.
The ransom note also gives links for the decryptor. Victims can obtain the tool from five different domains. The note forwards users to a file called DECRYPT.txt which the win-locker places on the desktop. This document provides instructions on how to use the decryptor. The cyber criminals give people 3 days to pay the ransom. After this period, the decryption key is deleted from their private server. The deadline is highlighted in the address to the victim.
Crypt32@mail.ru ransomware uses advanced technology to lock files. The RSA and AES algorithms are deployed in unison to execute the encryption. The win-locker first connects to the ip-api.com.xml website to check the IP address and physical location of the targeted device. The clandestine program retrieves this data, together with the hwid of the victim, a tracking ID, the name of the computer, and the user name. These details are sent to the hackers’ command and control (C&C) server for storage.
Making a deal with cyber thieves is risky. There is no guarantee that they will provide the decryption key. In any event, the bottom line is that the virus will persevere. Performing the decryption does not result in Crypt32@mail.ru ransomware getting deleted. The attackers could relaunch the win-locker and have it encrypt your files again. The wisest move would be to uninstall the malevolent program with the help of an anti-virus utility. This is the only way to eradicate the infection for certain. After you have cleansed your system, you can try to restore the corrupted files from their shadow volume copies. We have listed a few recovery tools below.
Crypt32@mail.ru Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Crypt32@mail.ru Ransomware deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.
- Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
- Install ShadowExplorer
- Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
- Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
- Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
- Right-click on the encrypted file
- Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file
Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore
- Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
- Click “Next“
- Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
- Click “Next“
- Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
- Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.
Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since Crypt32@mail.ru Ransomware first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:
