What is CryLocker Ransomware?

CryLocker is a type of malicious software that encrypts files on your computer, making them unusable, and demands a ransom payment to decrypt and regain access to them. We classified it as a serious security threat due to the sensitive information that is often encrypted by this type of malware, such as financial records or personal files. CryLocker usually arrives on a computer via email attachments or infected websites and can spread to other computers connected to the same network. Once CryLocker is installed, it will scan the hard drive for certain types of files to encrypt, including documents, pictures, music, and videos. The encrypted files will have a new extension that includes the name of the CryLocker ransomware, such as .crylocker or .locked. CryLocker will then display a ransom note on the computer screen, instructing the victim on how to pay the ransom and regain access to their files. In most cases, CryLocker ransomware demands payment in Bitcoin, a digital currency that can be difficult to trace. This type of malware is particularly dangerous because even if the ransom is paid, there is no guarantee that the files will be decrypted and restored.

What encryption methods does CryLocker use?

CryLocker ransomware uses a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption to encrypt files on your computer. Symmetric encryption is a type of encryption that uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data. Asymmetric encryption, also known as public-key cryptography, uses two different keys—a public key that is known to everyone and a private key that is known only to the recipient—to encrypt and decrypt data. The private key is required to decrypt the data, so it must be kept secret at all times. The CryLocker ransomware developers use a unique symmetric key to encrypt each file and then encrypt the symmetric key with an RSA public key. This makes it virtually impossible to decrypt the files without the private key, which is only known by the CryLocker developers.

History

The CryLocker ransomware was first discovered in August 2016 by security researchers at MalwareHunterTeam. We believe it to be a variant of the Locky ransomware, which was first seen in February of that year.

How much is the ransom?

The amount of the ransom varies depending on the number of files encrypted but is typically around 0.5 Bitcoin. The ransom note includes instructions on how to purchase Bitcoin and states that the price will double if the payment is not made within four days. It also warns that the files will be permanently encrypted if the victim attempts to remove CryLocker from their computer.

Protection

You should always have a backup of your important files to protect them from ransomware. In addition, you should install and maintain reliable anti-virus and anti-malware software on your computer. Most major antivirus programs detect CryLocker ransomware, so it is important to keep your software up to date. You can also protect yourself from CryLocker and other types of malware by being cautious about the emails you open and the websites you visit. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in emails unless you are sure they are from a trusted source. When visiting websites, be sure to type the URL into your browser directly instead of clicking on links. You should also avoid downloading pirated software or clicking on ads that promise free downloads. These are common ways for CryLocker and other types of malware to be distributed.

It has infected my computer. What should I do?

If you believe it has infected your computer with CryLocker ransomware, you should take immediate action to remove the malware and protect your files. You can use a reputable anti-malware program to scan your computer and remove CryLocker automatically. Once CryLocker is removed, you can then use a backup to restore your files.

Is there a public decryption tool?

At this time, there is no public decryption tool available for CryLocker ransomware. This means that if you have been infected, the only way to decrypt your files is to pay the ransom and hope that the CryLocker developers will provide you with the private key. However, we do not recommend paying the ransom because there is no guarantee that your files will be decrypted. In addition, paying the ransom would only encourage the CryLocker developers to continue their malicious activities.

Contact a data recovery service

If you do not want to pay the ransom or if you have been infected and the CryLocker developers have not provided you with the private key, your only option is to use a data recovery service. Data recovery services specialize in decrypting ransomware-encrypted files and can successfully decrypt CryLocker-encrypted files.SalvageData is one of the leading data recovery services and has a success rate of over 96% for CryLocker ransomware. We offer a free evaluation so you can see if your files can be recovered before you decide to use our service. Give us a call today at +1 (800) 972-3282 to speak with a data recovery specialist.