Cryptorbit virus - How to remove

Crypt orbit (also HowDecrypt) virus is a ransomware that infiltrates into computer using infected email messages. Once inside, it encrypts certain files that are stored in your computer and demands you to pay around $400 in order to decrypt the files. Unfortunately, even after paying, there are no guarantees you will get your files back. You should remove Cryptorbit virus from your system and restore your files from a backup.

About Cryptorbit virus

Cryptorbit virus can take over all versions of Windows, including Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Once it takes over your system, you will receive a message saying that all of your files have been encrypted. In order to decrypt files, you will be offered to download some programs and follow the instructions provided. You will also be given a very short period of time to do that. Here is how the message by Cryptorbit virus looks like:

All files including videos, photos and documents, etc on your computer are encrypted.
Encryptions was produced using a unique public key generated for this computer. To decrypt files, you need to obtain the private key.
The single copy of the private key, which will allow you to decrypt the files. Located on a secret server on the Internet; the server will destroy they key after a time specified in this window. After that nobody and never will be able to restore files.

However, even if you follow all the steps and pay required amount of Bitcoins (usually the payment is 0.5 BTC), you cannot be sure you will get your files back. This is why it is really important to maintain regular backups of all files stored in your computer. Otherwise, you can lose a lot of valuable information and without a chance to get it back and also you can be ripped off. The program usually encrypts these files: *.doc, *.docx, *.xls, *.ppt, *.psd, *.pdf, *.eps, *.ai, *.cdr, *.jpg, etc.

You must remove Cryptorbit virus from your system as soon as you notice it. It is also recommended to scan your system with an antivirus or anti-malware program, like Spyhunter or Malwarebytes. We do not recommend paying for creators of this virus, because most likely you will only lose your money.

Distribution Methods of Cryptorbit virus

Cryptorbit virus usually enters computer through infected email messages. Be more careful with emails from unknown senders and especially spam messages. Never open their attachments because there is a big chance you will get your system infected. Make sure you never click on any suspicious messages that appear when you browse the Internet either. Some ransomware creators imitates various updates, just to install malicious applications to your system.

Make sure you remove Cryptorbit virus from your computer. Then restore your files from a backup. Never forget to make regular backups off all important files that you store in your computer, so you can always restore them, if you get some nasty infection.

Note. To recover JPEG/JPG, .PDF, .WAV, .PST, .DOC, .XLS, .XLSX, .PPTX, .DOCX, and .MP3 files download the decryptor from here.

How to recover Cryptorbit virus 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 Cryptorbit virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Cryptorbit virus

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 Cryptorbit virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Cryptorbit virus 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 Cryptorbit virus 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 Cryptorbit virus 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.