Do you know what Nazcrypt Ransomware is?
Nazcrypt Ransomware appears to be a newly created malicious file-encrypting program, although so far researchers are unable to find any samples of it even though some users are claiming they have encountered it. As you see it is entirely possible the malware might be still under the development stage, and so it could be spread only among a few users to merely test how it works. Our computer security specialists made this conclusion after researching the details provided in the malicious application’s ransom note and information given by the user reports. As you continue reading our article, we will present our findings in detail. Also, at the end of the text, we will place a removal guide showing how it might be possible to eliminate Nazcrypt Ransomware manually. However, keep it in mind without a sample we cannot be one hundred percent sure these instructions will work and so it is more advisable to remove this threat with a reputable antimalware tool.
It is doubtful, Nazcrypt Ransomware is distributed widely. For example, to test it the cybercriminals who created it could infect targeted computers by sending malicious email attachments to their users. After launching such a file, the malware might settle in without the user even realizing it. Then the threat should start encrypting user’s private data, e.g., pictures, photos, videos, and so on. According to the reports the malicious application is supposed to append a second extension called .nazcrypt at the end of each encrypted file’s name. What’s more, our researchers found out the malware might lock files while using an old encryption algorithm called DES (Data Encryption Standard), while most of the ransomware applications nowadays use a newer version of it called AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). Nevertheless, even if DES is considered to be a less secure or efficient encryption algorithm, still it would be impossible to restore files locked with it without particular decryption tools.
Furthermore, after encrypting user’s data, Nazcrypt Ransomware should drop a text document called NAZCRYPT_RECOVERY_INSTRUCTIONS.txt or similarly onto user’s Desktop or other directories. The ransom note inside of it says you have to pay “$300 worth of bitcoins to address 13ADfA738SDFHdceP7348DASin3se2 to retrieve your files back!!” After checking the mentioned Bitcoin wallet address, it appeared it does not exist, which is why paying the ransom might be simply impossible. Also, the note does not say anything about decryption tools or explain how the victim would get his data back. Under such circumstances, we believe the malicious application might be still unfinished, and the users who encountered it most likely came across a test version of Nazcrypt Ransomware. Provided it ever gets finished the ransom note’s text or even the threat’s title instead could be changed.
In any case, if you encountered this malware there is nothing to do but to erase it from the computer since paying the ransom does not seem to be possible. Not to mention leaving Nazcrypt Ransomware unattended could be dangerous. The bad news is without a sample we cannot give accurate instructions on how to delete this threat, so instead we would recommend using a reputable antimalware tool. Still, if you feel you would like to try to get rid of it manually, you could follow the removal guide available below this text.
Erase Nazcrypt Ransomware
- Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete simultaneously.
- Pick Task Manager.
- Take a look at the Processes tab.
- Locate a process related to the malicious application.
- Select this process and press the End Task button.
- Click Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to the suggested paths:
%TEMP%
%USERPROFILE%Desktop
%USERPROFILE%Downloads - Find a file that was launched when the system got infected.
- Right-click the malicious file and select Delete.
- Look for ransom notes.
- Right-click them and press Delete too.
- Leave File Explorer.
- Restart the computer.
In non-techie terms:
Nazcrypt Ransomware seems to be a malicious application that can encrypt victim’s data. As the user reports claim afterward the victim is supposed to receive a ransom note demanding to pay around 300 US dollars in Bitcoins. In exchange, the cyber criminals who wrote it promise to help restore affected data. Nonetheless, at the moment of writing doing so is impossible even if you do not care if you will lose your money in vain since the Bitcoin wallet address mentioned on the ransom note does not seem to exist. It is possible the hackers could give an existing address to transfer the money once the malware is finished, but provided you do not want to get scammed we would recommend against paying the ransom as there are no guarantees. Our computer security specialists advise deleting the threat and restoring files while using backup data instead. The removal guide available below shows how it might be possible to erase this infection manually, but for safety precautions, it would be smarter to use a reputable antimalware tool.