Pizzacrypts Ransomware - How to remove

Pizzacrypts ransomware is another program designed for robbing innocent users off of their hard-earned money. This nasty infection is said to count on the popular asymmetric encryption algorithm. Sadly, it is uncrackable at this point in time. However, it will be another misfortune to pay the ransom as you will not, most probably, be given any decryption key. So learn what you can do about it now and keep reading the article.

About Pizzacrypts Ransomware

Pizzacrypts file-encrypting virus appends the following filename extension to the filename extensions of targeted files of various formats: .id-[victim_id][email protected]. For instance, Picture.jpg becomes Picture.jpg.id-[victim_id][email protected]. The ransom note is called Pizzacrypts Info.txt and it is dropped in every folder containing damaged data. Two e-mails are given in the ransom note: the primary e-mail is [email protected] and the secondary e-mail is [email protected] cyber crooks state that they should be contacted with Gmail address, unless they do not get the message of yours. They also provide a bitmessage address – BM-NBRCUPTenKgYbLVCAfeVUHVsHFK6Ue2F – so that the messaging would be encrypted.

However, the size of the ransom is not indicated in the ransom message. It is only supposed to be disclosed when the victim contacts the hackers behind Pizzacrypts encrypting virus. As is the custom, the cyber criminals threaten that the data is only to be retrieved by using their decryption key, that the decryption algorithm is too strong to be cracked by some 3rd party and that it would only lead to damaging your files permanently to use some 3rd party decryptor. But that is not true, there are a number of working decryptors (e.g. the case of Invisible Empire ransomware) developed by security researches which are only to be relied upon.

How is Pizzacrypts Ransomware Distributed?

Pizzacrypts ransomware is spread via Neutrino Exploit Kit. Neutrino EK is a malicious code running on suspicious websites or on the legitimate websites which are hacked. These can be web pages of any content, but, most probably, these are questionable and free downloading, gaming, gambling or porno sites. Neutrino EK detect the vulnerabilities of targeted PC, that are outdated software, etc., and exploit them to install malicious program codes that damage the data of the PC’s drives.

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by Pizzacrypts Ransomware?

Unfortunately, noone can offer you a trustworthy decryption tool for decrypting data encrypted by Pizzacrypt cryptomalware, which would be developed by the cyber security experts. So the steps to be taken by you follow in such order. Firstly, check for Shadow Volume Copies, if you were running Shadow Volume Service. If not, think about the backup. Have you used some Cloud or Google Drive service? Have you backed your data up in some external hard drive? If not, please back your data up in the future since you will be only left with one option in a case of ransomware attack. This option is charged and it does not provide you with 100 per cent guarantee that your data will be restored. Namely, it is the application of professional data recovery tools such as the software by Kaspersky Lab, R-Studio, Recuva, PhotoRec, etc.

For the time being, make a copy of your damaged drive in case you have material to use on future decryptor and remove Pizzacrypts virus from your PC. Employ Spyhunter or Malwarebytes automatic malware removal tools to do that job for you (before data restoration only). It is more secure to assign the removal of the malware for automatic tools since manual removal can be tricky and other malware present on the system may be left unnoticed. However, we do supply you with the manual removal instructions for Pizzacrypts encoder. Just scroll down a bit.

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

 

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

Step 3. Restore Pizzacrypts 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 Pizzacrypts 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 Pizzacrypts 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.