Do you know what Cryptobyte Ransomware is?
Cryptobyte Ransomware is a dangerous ransomware application as it might not only encipher your private files but also delete their shadow copies, leaving you without a possibility to restore them. Users who may have encountered this threat should read the rest of our report to find out more important details about the malware. In addition, it might be a good idea to also have a look at the removal guide available below the main article, especially if you are thinking about erasing the malicious application manually. Further, in the article, we will talk more about the infection’s deletion, the ransomware’s working manner, and possible distribution methods. Thus, if you are determined to protect the system from threats like Cryptobyte Ransomware in the future, we advise you to review the rest of the article as well.
When threats like Cryptobyte Ransomware appear on the system, users usually wonder how the malware managed to settle in on their system. This particular malicious application is believed to be distributed through suspicious Spam emails. The letter from the cyber criminals could carry a malicious attachment that may infect the system as soon as it is launched. To guard the computer against similar threats, users should take extra precautions before opening any data received from an unknown sender or with no particular reason.
For instance, the easiest way to check the unreliable file is no doubt scanning it with a reputable antimalware tool. If the attachment appears to be dangerous, the removal tool would identify it as malware and help you remove it from the computer immediately. If the letter does not seem to be important, you can simply erase it along with the possibly malicious attachment too. What’s more, ransomware can be distributed through harmful web pages and infected software installers as well, so we would advise you to avoid sites where you could encounter such dangerous content.
After entering the system, Cryptobyte Ransomware should begin encrypting the data it is programmed to damage. According to our researchers the malware can lock data with .p12, .p7b, .p7c, .pdf, .tif, .1c, .wma, .mp3, .mp4, .mkv, .pdf, and many other extensions of a lot of different file types, e.g. images, photos, text documents, archives, databases, etc. Then the ransomware might erase the shadow copies, so the computer’s user would be unable to use them to restore damaged data. Eventually, the malicious application should drop a text document called HOW_TO_FIX_!.txt or HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt on the user’s Desktop.
As usual, the ransom note urges users to make a payment and get the decryption tool before it is too late. Needless to say, you should consider such option most carefully because once you transfer the money, there is no turning back. No one can reassure you the decryption key will be obtained when you make the payment. Therefore, putting up with the cyber criminal’s demands might be a waste of the user’s money and time. This is why we encourage our readers to keep their money to themselves and concentrate on how to erase Cryptobyte Ransomware.
One of the ways to eliminate the malicious application is to delete all files belonging to it manually. The whole process is explained in the removal guide placed below the article, so if you do not know where to start, we would advise you to check it out. If the displayed instructions appear to be too complicated, users could employ a reputable antimalware tool and use its automatic tools to deal with the infection faster.
Eliminate Cryptobyte Ransomware
- Open the Explorer (Windows Key+E).
- Check the following locations: %TEMP%, %USERPROFILE%\desktop, %USERPROFILE%\downloads
- Find the malicious file that was launched before the PC got infected.
- Select this file and press Shift+Delete.
- Access the %APPDATA% directory.
- Look for a questionable executable file related to the malware (e.g. mtrea.exe).
- Select it and press Shift+Delete.
- Find the listed directories:
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%USERPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup - Search for a text document called HOW_TO_FIX_!.txt or HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt.
- Select the ransom note and press Shift+Delete.
- Exit your File Explorer.
- Access the RUN (Windows Key+R).
- Insert Regedit and click OK.
- Find this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Look for a Registry key belonging to the infection (e.g. crptxxx), select it and press Shift+Delete.
- Exit the Registry Editor.
- Restart the system.
In non-techie terms:
Cryptobyte Ransomware might be on your system if most of your data on the computer has a second extension called .crptxxx, e.g. rose.jpg.crptxxx, payment.pdf.crptxxx, and so on. This extension should be appended by the malicious application after it enciphers the file with a strong cryptosystem. Meaning, the affected files cannot be opened without a decryption tool. Of course, the infection’s creators may offer you such a tool in the ransom note they could leave after the encryption process. It might seem like an easy solution to get all your data back, but in reality there are no reassurances. Not to mention you should not trust the cyber criminals behind the threat as they do not care about the damage their created infection may cause you. Users who do not want to take any chances could erase the malware while using the removal guide located below or with a reputable antimalware tool.