Remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware

Is CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware a serious malware

CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware will lock your data and demand that you pay for a decryption key. Ransomware in general is considered to be a highly harmful infection because of its behavior. As soon as the ransomware is launched, it searches for specific types of files to lock. Ransomware makes the files believed to be the most essential the targets. A decryption key is needed to unlock the files but only the crooks accountable for this malware have it. In some cases, a decryption application may be developed for free by malware who may be able to crack the ransomware. If you don’t recall ever backing up your files and don’t intend to give into the hackers’ requests, that free decryptor may be your only choice.

Once file encryption has been completed, you’ll find a ransom note either on your desktop or in folders containing encrypted files. The ransom note will contain information about what happened to your files, and criminals will demand that you pay money so as to get your files back. Our next statement won’t surprise you but it’s not suggested to pay the cyber criminals anything. It is not difficult to imagine cyber criminals simply taking your money while not providing a decryption tool. We have no doubt your money would go towards creating future malicious software. Also, if you don’t wish to end up in this situation again, you need to have dependable backup to store copies of your files. If you have made backup, just remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware and proceed to file recovery.

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Bogus updates and spam emails were possibly used to distribute the ransomware. Those methods are the most common among malware makers.

How does CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware spread

Spam emails and bogus updates are commonly how users get contaminated with ransomware, even though there are other distribution methods. You’ll have to be more cautious with spam emails if email was how the contamination got into your system. When dealing with senders you aren’t familiar with, you need to cautiously check the email before opening the file attached. It is also quite common for crooks to pretend to be from legitimate companies, as a recognizable name would make people lose their guard. For example, they may claim to be Amazon and say that the attached file is a receipt for a recent purchase. However, you might easily check whether the sender is actually who they claim they are. Check the sender’s email address, and no matter how real it appears at first, check that it really is used by the company they say to represent. Furthermore, scan the attached file with a malware scanner before you open it.

Falling for a bogus program update might have also resulted in this if you do not believe you got it via spam emails. Occasionally, when you visit dubious web pages you might encounter false update alerts, forcing you into installing something quite annoyingly. They also come up as adverts and wouldn’t necessarily look questionable. For those familiar with how updates are usually offered, however, this will cause immediate suspicion. You ought to never download updates or programs from sources like ads. If you have automatic updates turned on, you won’t even be notified about it, but if manual update is needed, the application will alert you.

How does this malware behave

While you have probably already realized this, but your files have been encrypted by ransomware. File encrypting likely happened without you knowing, right after the contaminated file was opened. If you are unsure about which of your files were affected, look for a specific file extension attached to files, pinpointing that they have been locked. Because a powerful encryption algorithm was used for file encryption, do not even try to open files. Information about how to recover your files should be on the ransom note. If you’ve ran into ransomware before, you will notice that notes follow a specific pattern, cyber crooks will initially try to scare you into thinking your sole option is to pay and then threaten to remove your files if you don’t give in. Paying cyber criminals isn’t the best idea, even if hackers have the decryption tool. Realistically, how likely is it that the people who locked your files in the first place, will feel obliged to assist you, even after a payment is made. It wouldn’t shock us if you became a specific target next time because criminals know you were inclined to pay once.

It might be possible that you have uploaded at least some of your files somewhere, so look into that. If there are no other choices, back up the encrypted files and keep them for the future, a malicious software analyst might release a free decryptor and you could get your files back. Whichever option you pick, it is still necessary to uninstall CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware.

Having backups of your files is very important, so start frequently making backups. You may end up in a similar situation again which might result in permanent file loss. There are various backup options available, some more costly than others but if your files are valuable to you it is worth purchasing one.

CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware elimination

It isn’t recommended manual removal, unless you’re an advanced user. If you don’t wish to damage your computer further, malware removal program is your best choice. You might need to reboot your device in Safe Mode for the anti-malware program to work. As soon as your system boots in Safe Mode, scan your computer and remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware once it’s detected. Getting rid of the ransomware won’t help with file recovery, however.

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Learn how to remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware from your computer

• Step 1. Remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.
• Step 2. Remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware using System Restore
• Step 3. Recover your data

Step 1. Remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.
• b) Step 2. Remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

b) Step 2. Remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware.

You will now need to open your browser and download some kind of anti-malware software. Choose a trustworthy one, install it and have it scan your computer for malicious threats. When the ransomware is found, remove it. If, for some reason, you can't access Safe Mode with Networking, go with another option.

Step 2. Remove CRYPT (CONTI) Ransomware using System Restore

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
• b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

1. You will need to type in cd restore in the window that appears. Press Enter.
2. Type in rstrui.exe and again, press Enter.
3. A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again.
4. Press Yes.

While this should have taken care of the ransomware, you might want to download anti-malware just to be sure no other threats are lurking.  

Step 3. Recover your data

• a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.
• b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions
• c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

While backup is essential, there is still quite a few users who do not have it. If you are one of them, you can try the below provided methods and you just might be able to recover files.

a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.

1. Download Data Recovery Pro, preferably from a trustworthy website.
2. Scan your device for recoverable files.
3. Recover them.

b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions

If you had System Restore enabled, you can recover files through Windows Previous Versions.

1. Find a file you want to recover.
2. Right-click on it.
3. Select Properties and then Previous versions.
4. Pick the version of the file you want to recover and press Restore.

c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

If you are lucky, the ransomware did not delete your shadow copies. They are made by your system automatically for when system crashes.

1. Go to the official website (shadowexplorer.com) and acquire the Shadow Explorer application.
2. Set up and open it.
3. Press on the drop down menu and pick the disk you want.
4. If folders are recoverable, they will appear there. Press on the folder and then Export.

* SpyHunter scanner, published on this site, is intended to be used only as a detection tool. More info on SpyHunter. To use the removal functionality, you will need to purchase the full version of SpyHunter. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, click here.