DirtyDecrypt ransomware - How to remove

DirtyDecrypt virus, also sometimes referred to as Revoyem, was first noticed by security researchers at the summer of 2013. Three years later, 2016 became the year to congratulate the return of the updated crypto-ransomware virus. DirtyDecrypt is one of the big whales, during its long career having been successful enough to block access to victims’ computers from about 15 countries. Mostly, this virus targets people from regions of Europe and United States of America. According to the former complaints, all of the victims had Windows OS in common (Vista, XP, NT, 7, 2000).

About DirtyDecrypt Ransomware

DirtyDecrypt ransomware might create replicas of its files in various Windows directories. The following places might host them: C:\ProgramFiles\Adobe\{random numbers and letters}.exe, C:\Users\{user profile}\AppData\Local\Temp\{random numbers and letters}.exe, C:\Users\{user profile}\AppData\Local\{random numbers and letters}.exe. Before DirtyDecrypt virus can move on to the fun part of receiving the demanded ransom, they have to indicate who is the boss of victims’ PCs. The vicious ransomware runs a scan of your stored and kept data, trying to find the ones that can be encrypted. DirtyDecrypt virus has been noted to corrupt data that has these extensions appended to them: 7z, avi, doc, docm, docx, jpeg, jpg, mpeg, mpg, pdf, png, rar, rtf, wmv, xls, xlsm, xlsx, zip. After files are transformed to be unavailable and completely useless, ransomware viruses usually add an extension to identify them. We could not indicate if this DirtyDecrypt virus does the same. However, we can inform you that it might utilize a combination of encryption algorithms like RSA, AES, XOR and other ciphers. The letter of demands looks like this and is titled DIRTY ALERT:

“Files are encrypted
This file can be decrypted using the program DirtyDecrypt.exe
Press CTRL+ALT+D to run DirtyDecrypt.exe
If DirtyDecrypt.exe is not opened сheck the paths:
C:\Program Files\Dirty\DirtyDecrypt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\{user profile}\Local Settings\Application Data\Dirty\DirtyDecrypt.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Dirty\DirtyDecrypt.exe
C:\Users\{user profile}\AppData\Roaming\Dirty\DirtyDecrypt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\{user profile}\Application Data\Dirty\DirtyDecrypt.exe”

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by DirtyDecrypt Ransomware?

The exact amount of money that this DirtyDecrypt virus demands is not clearly indicated. All we know, that it might depend on the number of encrypted files and vary from 300 to 1000 dollars. This ransomware encourages people to pay the ransom via Ukash, PaySafeCard or MoneyPak payment systems. Security consultants would never suggest to pay the required sums of money because that would be just a pure waste of your resources. Try to use file-recovery tools that might help to decrypt files (PhotoRec, Kaspersky tools). For the future, develop a habit to always store your data in back-up storages. In case of a DirtyDecrypt virus, you can easily retrieve files from there.

How is DirtyDecrypt Ransomware Distributed?

The name DirtyDecrypt virus might have been chosen by crooks because they decided to distribute it via domains, strictly constructed for adults. By watching pornographic videos and regularly visiting such domains, you compromise your PC and its security to be affected by an infectious JavaScript. Furthermore, DirtyDecrypt ransomware employs Styx Exploit Kit to stay active and successfully disseminated. Do not open spam letters, let alone interact with the provided URLs or attachments.

Spyhunter or Hitman are the anti-virus applications, constructed to protect its user communities from harm. DirtyDecrypt ransomware virus will be eliminated by these professional and sophisticated scanners in no time at all.

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of DirtyDecrypt 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 DirtyDecrypt virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore DirtyDecrypt 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 DirtyDecrypt 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 DirtyDecrypt 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.