Crypren ransomware - How to remove

Crypren ransomware is a newly detected file-encrypting virus. It is compatible with Windows and Linux OSs. Crypren file encryptor is similar to Locky, Cerber, CTB-Locker, PadCrypt and other ransomwares in a sense that it infiltrates the computer’s system and encrypt the files.

About Crypren Ransomware

Crypren ransomware applies a combination of AES-265 and RSA-2048 algorithms to encrypt data. The files encrypted ranges from text to video files. In fact, any file on your computer bear the possibility of being corrupted by Crypren. When the encryption is over, the ‘‘.encrypted’’ extension is appended to those files. And READ_THIS_TO_DECRYPT.html, READ_THIS_TO_DECRYPT.png and READ_THIS_TO_DECRYPT.txt ransom notes appear in every folder enclosing corrupted data. The ransom required starts from 0.1 Bitcoins (the same as with CryptoWall and TrueCrypt ransomwares) which is 45.35 USD at the moment of writing this article to approximately 0.55 BTC which is 250 USD. This payment must be transferred within one week unless the files will be damaged permanently.

How does Crypren Ransomeware Spread

Crypren ransomware trojan infects your computer through spam e-mails and their attachments, including PDF, DOC and ZIP files. These e-mails often pretend to be official letters from official institutions. But you must understand that if it was true they will not fall into the spam catalogue. Thus, restrain yourself from opening them or even do not go to the spam folder at all. The other way Crypren can infiltrate your computer is through exploit kits which target system vulnerabilities, that is outdated unsecured software. It aims at the most common software used in most PCs: Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player, Java Runtime Environment, Microsoft Silverlight, Internet Explorer and the list goes further.

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by Crypren Ransomware

While paying such a relatively small ransom might seem an option, you will never know whether you are asked for more or whether you have your data recovered at all. The good news are that the security researches Mosh and pekeinfo have found the fundamental flaw in Crypren cryptomalware. The copy of the decryption key have been found locally. Thus, pekeinfo has developed the free decryption tools which are available at the GitHub code repository by downloading the DecryptCrypten application.

For the removal of Crypren virus and future security we highly suggest to use professional malware removal tools such as Spyhunter. SpyHunter will fully eliminate this ransomware and prevent your computer from future malware attacks. Follow the detailed instructions for Crypren removal below.

How to recover Crypren ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Crypren ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Crypren ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Crypren ransomware . You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Crypren ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Crypren ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Crypren ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.