NoobCrypt Ransomware - How to remove

NoobCrypt ransomware (a Romanian one) bears its name from its cheeky behavior. If a victim happens to use a wrong decryption key, this cryptomalware calls him/her a noob. NoobCrypt ransomware virus damages the victim’s data using asymmetric encryption algorithm. This cryptography brings into play two keys: one for encryption and one for decryption. The latter key is hidden in the remote servers controlled by the developers of this bloodsucker virus. This key is charged. Ironically, the hackers behind NoobCrypt encrypter do not know themselves for how much.

About NoobCrypt Ransomware

NoobCrypt is written in .NET programming language. This crypto malware appends ‘‘.crypt’’ or ‘‘.locky’’ extensions to the filename extensions of every encrypted file. For example, song.mp3 is converted into song.mp3.crypt or song.mp3.locky. NoobCrypt targets multiple file types, including various formats of text, image, audio, video files, archives, etc. However, it seems that the cyber crooks behind it can be named noobs themselves as the ransomware they developed has flaws in its code. The same is to be said about the ransom they demand for the decryption of the data. The size of the ransom is topsy-turvy. On the one hand, the hackers ask for 299 USD. On the other hand, they want to get 250 NZD (New Zealand Dollars). The thing is that the New Zealand Dollar has lower currency rate than the US Dollar. Does it make sense? Not, really. How can you expect such master accountants to give you your data back?

As usual, the ransom must be payed in bitcoins. The payment is to be transferred within 48 hours. The ransom note also contains a stopwatch to make the victim haste into making the payment. It is threatened that every 2 hours some amount of files will be lost permanently. The message, covering the desktop, reads as follows:

Your personal files is are encrypted!
Coded in R0MANIA
Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key, generated for this computer.
Private decryption key is stored on a secret Internet server and nobody can decrypt your files until you pay and obtain the private key.
You have 48 hours to pay 250 NZD in Bitcoins to get the decryption key.
Every 2 hours files will be deleted.Increasing in amount every time frame.
If you do not send money within provided (deadline) your files will be permanently crypted and no one will be able to recover them.
Time left until your files will be DELETED! – Don’t try to trick us.
Send approximately 250NZD to this BTC Address I have paid, check.
$299
1JrYNuMaE4VXKrod2gA9keBo6nzPvtaoZ6
In order to pay use a Phone or a Laptop!
Informations CHECK

But, as you know, haste makes waste. And that is perfectly true in this case. Because you will only loose your money, scarcely ever these cyber criminals will provide you with the working decryption key.

How is NoobCrypt Ransomware Distributed?

NoobCrypt file-encrypting virus is spread via spam e-mails and social media or file-sharing networks. The creators of this virtual parasite send you e-mails with links to infected websites, these e-mails often contain infected attachments. Once they are opened, the payload of the virus is begun to be executed. There is no particular e-mail that would distribute NoobCrypt crypto-malware. However, you should get on your toes, when an e-mail form unknown sender or a supposed-to-be existing company or institution hits your spam catalogue. Be very careful as regards the spam folder of your e-mail box. It is even better not to pry into this catalogue, even though it is your private territory. Another way NoobCrypt encoder can board your computer is through visiting websites which are corrupted with the malicious code of the virus. These often include social media sites and file-sharing domains, such as torrents, for instance.

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by NoobCrypt Ransomware?

One of the cyber security researchers, namely, Jakub Kroustek has already found the hard-coded decryption key – ‘‘ZdZ8EcvP95ki6NWR2j’’. You can follow him on Twitter to know more about the actual decryption process. It is completely free and you will not have to deal with cyber criminals to retrieve your data. Moreover, it will be even more easier to download the decryptor by Avast from here. Just do not forget that the removal of NoobCrypt ransomware is even more important as the decryption. Apply Spyhunter or Malwarebytes automatic malware removal tools for this purpose. These security scanners perform automatic full system scan for any parts of the virus to be detected and eliminated. Manual removal can be implemented adhering to the easy-to-follow guidance provided below. It is also toll-free.

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of NoobCrypt 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 NoobCrypt Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore NoobCrypt 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 NoobCrypt 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 NoobCrypt 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.