Krypte Ransomware

The Krypte Ransomware is a ransomware Trojan that is designed to target computer users in Germany. The Krypte Ransomware is a variant of a ransomware Trojan that was known from previous attacks as the Razy Ransomware. The Krypte Ransomware encrypts the victim's files and stores the decryption key necessary to decrypt them on its Command and Control servers. The files encrypted by the Krypte Ransomware can be identified easily because the Krypte Ransomware will rename them, replacing the files' name with ten random letters or numbers and appending the extension '.fear' to the end of the file's name. The Krypte Ransomware displays its ransom note in the form of a pop-up window.

The Old Payment Method Used by the Krypte Ransomware

The Krypte Ransomware uses a ransom note that is in German, and it is clear that the Krypte Ransomware has been designed to target computer users in Germany. According to the Krypte Ransomware's ransom note, it is necessary to pay 15-20 Euros using PaySafeCard to receive the decryptor. This payment method, although not uncommon, was a major part of ransomware attacks only a few years ago. Recently, PaySafeCard has mostly been replaced by BitCoin payments carried out directly. One curious aspect of the Krypte Ransomware is that victims must provide their email address and the decryption code is emailed to them directly. The amount of the Krypte Ransomware's ransom is also curious since most other ransomware Trojans charge fees that average between $500 and $1000 USD through BitCoin payments.

The Krypte Ransomware attack is simple to understand. The Krypte Ransomware takes the victims' files hostage by encrypting them with its strong encryption algorithm. The Krypte Ransomware will then demand that the victim pays the ransom in exchange for the decryption software that will make it possible to recover the affected files. PC security analysts, however, strongly advise computer users against paying the ransom. The con artists responsible for attacks like the Krypte Ransomware may ignore the victims or even ask for more money. Most importantly, paying the Krypte Ransomware ransom simply finances the con artists' activities, allowing them to continue to develop and distribute threats. If victims of ransomware attacks do not pay, then con artists no longer have an incentive or the financial means to continue carrying these attacks.

Preventing Ransomware Attacks

There are countless ransomware Trojans that are very similar to the Krypte Ransomware, both in behavior and in the way they are built and distributed. The most common way in which the Krypte Ransomware may be distributed is through corrupted email attachments. The Krypte Ransomware may be distributed through corrupted websites or on peer-to-peer file sharing networks. Because of this, the best way to prevent a Krypte Ransomware infection is to be extremely careful when handling unknown files online and never open unsolicited email attachments. The best way to become invulnerable to the Krypte Ransomware and other ransomware Trojans is to keep your files backed up on a safe environment. If a backup of your files exists, then the recovery from a Krypte Ransomware attack is a simple matter of restoring the files from the backup location.

The following is the text of the Krypte Ransomware's ransom demand (in the original German):

Hallo! Ich bin the Krypte! Eine Ransomware! Ich habe deine Dokumente,Musik,Bilder und andere Wichtige dateien mit einer AES Verschlüsselung Verschlüsselt. Wenn du deine Daten wiederhaben willst, dann Befolge Bitte diese Anweisungen 🙂
Kaufe eine 15-20 Euro Paysafe-Karte und gebe diesen Code in die Textbox Unten ein. Trage deine Email-Adresse in die Andere Textbox ein und drücke auf Weiter. Wenn der Paysafekarten-code richtig sein sollte, Bekommst du an deine Email einen Key + Entfern und Entschlüsselungsprogramm. An deiner stelle würde ich kein Antivierenprogramm laufen lassen und nicht versuchen, diesen Virus zu entfernen. Dieses Programm ist deine einzige möglichkeit, deine Daten zurückzubekommen. Dein Private-Key wird nach 72h von unserem Server gelöscht. Viel Erfolg 🙂

Do not be misled, despite the friendly language and the use of smileys throughout, the Krypte Ransomware is a threat that will try to take your money and your files hostage.