I wrote this article to help you remove XCrypt Ransomware. This XCrypt Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
XCrypt falls into the category of ransomware viruses and, as such a pest, it causes a lot of damage. You need to tackle the parasite as soon as possible. And whatever you do, don’t comply with the crooks` instructions. XCrypt is a ransomware. It is one of the most dreaded infections online. Take a few minutes to read this article and to understand what you are dealing with as well as how to get rid of the pest. It is a must that you act on time. XCrypt is not a threat to be taken likely. So, don’t procrastinate. Act now.
As a classic ransomware threat, XCrypt enters your system in silence and immediately starts working. First, it performs a thorough scan in search for files to lock. Unfortunately, ransomware always finds what it is after. It successfully locates all of your private data and encrypts everything with a strong encryption cipher. All of your files become inaccessible to you and unbearable to your machine. Your pictures, music, videos, documents, MS Office files, etc. All of these is now locked. What is different with this particular infection is that, unlike other ransomware pieces, it doesn’t add any extension to your files. But they are still encrypted.
XCrypt effectively denies you access to all of your important files and nothing you do can change that. You can try renaming them or moving them into another folder but this does nothing. They are still unusable. Once the file-encrypting process is over, the ransomware drops a Help.jpg file in each folder, containing locked data. This is the ransom note from the crooks. They even modify your desktop wallpaper whit it. The reason for that is that the more often you see it, the more likely you get to follow the instructions. Don’t! According to the message, which is in Russian, the only way to free your files is to purchase a special decrypter which, of course, costs quite a lot.
The hackers provide an ICQ number – 1СС 714 595 302 – which you are supposed to use to get in touch with them so they can give you detailed payment instructions. Don’t fall into that trap. The cybercriminals claim that once you pay they will send you the tool to recover your data. But can you trust these people? After all, they are the ones to encrypt your precious files in the first place.
How can you be sure that they will deliver what they promise? You cannot! Crooks only goal is money. They couldn’t care less about your locked data. They just take victims` money and don’t send them anything. Or, they actually give them the decrypter and users retrieve their data but it gets encrypted again in a few hours. This is because the decrypter only goes so far. It removes the encryption but the ransomware itself remains intact. It is still on your machine ready to strike again whenever and to send you back to square one. Those are the scenarios which involve paying and in both of them, you still lose. The hackers, on the other hand, gain a lot.
First, they take your money and use them for more malware development. Second, they still have the option of attacking you. And third, by paying, you give them access to your personal and financial details which they can use however they see fit. We assume this is not what you want. So, don’t give these people even a single dollar of your money. Instead, use our completely free of charge removal guide and tackle the pest on the spot.
Once you remove XCrypt, make sure it, or any other, won`t attack you again. Do you know how ransomware travel the Web? And, most importantly, do you know how to protect yourself? Well, there are several techniques these parasites use. One of the most effective ones involves spam emails and their attachments. The crooks attach the pest to what looks like a legitimate email and then you do the rest by opening everything that comes your way. Never open emails from unknown senders even if they look legitimate. More often than not, they deliver infections. Also, stay away from shady pages, questionable links, unverified download sources, etc.
The Web is full of parasites and sometimes a single click of yours is enough to get infected. Be more cautious. Double-check what you are giving green light to. Don’t skip the Terms and Conditions/EULA unless you want to accidentally agree to something you are totally against. Don’t forget that what all infections need the most are your distraction and carelessness. Don’t provide them.
XCrypt Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, XCrypt 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 XCrypt 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:
