Infected with Microsoft Decryptor ransomware? Need to decrypt your files?
What is Microsoft Decryptor ransomware
Note: There is no purpose to pay the ransom, because decryptor that authors of Microsoft Decryptor send to you, shows decryption failed error 800900005 in Windows 10, 8, 7 and won’t run in Windows XP.
Microsoft Decryptor ransomware is crypto-virus, that uses asymmetric RSA-4096 encryption algorithm to encrypt important files on users machine. It is basically updated version of CryptXXX and UltraCrypter ransomware. Virus demands a ransom of 1.2 BitCoins (~$646) to decrypt files and if ransom is not paid within 96 hours, the amount doubles to 2.4 BitCoins. Microsoft Decryptor does not modify encrypted files names and creates 3 files (README.txt, README.bmp, and README.html) in every affected folder. README.bmp is then used to change desktop background. All this files contain the same message and instructions to pay the ransom using TOR browser and hidden gateways on onion.to domain, which makes it impossible to track the hacker. After finishing encryption Microsoft Decryptor opens window that contains instructions to pay the ransom. At the time of writing this article there was no working decryptor to recover the files, however, we will update the article as soon as solution appears. Currently, only way to restore your files is from online or local backups (if you have ones) or use Windows standard features. In this article we created this guide to remove Microsoft Decryptor ransomware and decrypt encrypted files using available methods.
Update: Use following service to identify the version and type of ransomware you were attacked by: ID Ransomware. Also check following website for possible decryptor: Emsisoft Decryptors.
How Microsoft Decryptor ransomware infected your PC
Microsoft Decryptor ransomware distributes using standard methods (malicious email attachments, torrent (P2P) networks, fake invoices). Microsoft Decryptor ransomware uses TOR network for receiving ransom, which makes it very difficult to trace the attacker. Ransom is asked to be paid in BitCoins, that also makes the task difficult for the police, as user in this network are often anonymous. Encryption starts in the background. Way to protect your computer from such threats is to use antiviruses with crypto-protection like HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard.
First of all don’t panic. Follow these easy steps below.
1. Start your computer in Safe Mode with networking. To do that, restart your computer, before your system starts hit F8 several times. This will stop system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with networking option from the options list using up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.
2. Log in to the system infected with the Microsoft Decryptor ransomware virus. Launch your Internet browser and download a reliable anti-malware program and start a full system scan. Once the scan is complete, review scan results and remove all entries detected.
Recommended Solution:
Norton is a powerful removal tool. It can remove all instances of newest viruses, similar to Microsoft Decryptor ransomware – files, folders, registry keys.
*Trial version of Norton provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Norton.
Step 2: Remove following files and folders of Microsoft Decryptor ransomware:
Remove following registry entries:
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Remove following files:
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How to decrypt files infected by Microsoft Decryptor ransomware (.locked files)?
Use automated decryption tools
There is ransomware decryptor from Kaspersky that can decrypt .locked files. It is free and may help you restore .locked files by Microsoft Decryptor ransomware virus. Download it here:
You can also try to use manual methods to restore and decrypt .locked files.
Decrypt .locked files manually
Restore the system using System Restore
Although, latest versions of Microsoft Decryptor ransomware remove system restore files, this method may help you partially restore your files. Give it a try and use standard System Restore to revive your data.
- Initiate the search for ‘system restore‘
- Click on the result
- Choose the date before the infection appearance
- Follow the on-screen instructions
Roll the files back to the previous version
Previous versions can be copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup (if it is active) or copies of files and folders created by System Restore. You can use this feature to restore files and folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged (in our case – Microsoft Decyptor ransomware by Microsoft Decyptor ransomware). This feature is available in Windows 7 and later versions.
- Right-click the file and choose Properties
- Open the Previous Version tab
- Select the latest version and click Copy
- Click Restore
Restore .locked files using shadow copies
- Download and run Shadow Explorer.
- Select the drive and folder where your files are located and date that you want to restore them from.
- Right-click on folder you want to restore and select Export.
- Once the scanning process is done, click Recover to restore your files.
Protect your computer from ransomware
Most modern antiviruses can protect your PC from ransomware and crypto-trojans, but thousands of people still get infected. There are several programs that use different approach t protect from ransomware and lockers. One of the best is HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard. You may already know HitmanPro as famous cloud-based anti-malware scanner. Check out ultimate active protection software from SurfRight.
Information provided by: Alexey Abalmasov