RackCrypt virus

RackCrypt virus is a newly released ransomware-type Trojan whose purpose is to extort money from you. It extorts money by encrypting your personal files and demanding that you pay for the decryption key. Without a doubt, you have to remove this infection if you want to continue to use your PC safely. However, from the very outset, we want to inform you that deleting this infection will not decrypt your files. The truth is that without the correct decryption key, third-party applications will not decrypt the infected files and all you can do at this point is to try to recover your files from backup drives or use information recovery tools. In this short description, we will provide you with information regarding this ransomware's functionality, dissemination methods, and we will show you how you can remove it. So, without further ado, let us begin.

This crypto-malware was created by none other than cyber criminals who want to make as much money as possible before it becomes obsolete. This ransomware’s shelf life depends on how many antimalware scanners detect it and the level of effectiveness of its distribution methods. Cyber criminals use this infection to attack computers of businesses, but as far as we know, they do not shy away from unleashing it on the general public either. They can make a lot of money from it and to our knowledge they “charge” 1.3 BTC ($300 USD.) They want their victims to pay in Bitcoins to avoid getting caught by the authorities. Furthermore, cyber criminals use scare tactics to compel users to pay up by stating that they only have three days before the clock runs out and the files remain damaged beyond repair. So here is what we have found after analyzing RackCrypt virus.

Once it enters a computer, it copies itself to the %TEMP% folder. It has only one randomly name executable file. We have found that the name variations include activator.exe, loader.exe, setup.exe, firefox.exe, and smss.exe. As you can see, its names can be either generic or pose as known legitimate ones. Furthermore, it ads two Windows Registry subkeys in HKU\Administrator\mvpdata and HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop. When all of the necessary files are in place it will start the scanning and encryption process.

RackCrypt virus is select particular file formats that are apt to contain personal, sensitive and generally important information. It can encrypt more than a hundred file formats of documents, images, audio and video files, and so on. It adds a .rack file extension (eg. Document.docx.rack.) Thus, the encryption process is concluded, and RackCrypt virus will start showing you its ransom message and demand money. It will provide you instructions on what to do to receive the decryption key. However, over the years we have learned that cyber criminals rarely keep their word, so keep this in mind because they might not send you the decryption key once you have paid for it.

Unfortunately, RackCrypt virus uses a powerful AES-256 encryption algorithm to encrypt your files. AES-256 is a very strong cipher, and it is impossible to decrypt using only third-party software. The number 256 indicates the key length and the longer the key, the harder it is to crack. By comparison, AES-192 and AES-128 have a shorter key length, so they are a bit easier to crack, but nonetheless, it is no a walk in the park either. To decrypt your files, you will need both the sender’s and the receiver’s keys and the only way you can acquire the sender’s key is to purchase it from the cyber criminals. But, again, your chances of getting that key are slim.

Now let us talk about how this ransomware is disseminated. It can be distributed using many methods. The most popular one is sending email spam that poses as legitimate messages. They contain self-extracting archive attachments that inject this malware into the PC when opened. It may also be disseminated via malicious torrent downloads as well as websites that distribute pirated material, software especially. Also, its developers may opt for a different distribution method whenever they want. So, you should avoid visiting unknown websites of questionable legitimacy and keep a close eye on the emails you receive.

We hope that the information what we have provided in this description has proven useful. But there is one thing we want to share with you, and that is a guide for removing RackCrypt virus. Nevertheless, we want to clarify that the manual removal guide may not always work. So as an alternative we recommend using SpyHunter. Again, we want to discourage you from paying the ransom as you will just give your hard-earned money to cyber criminals. Try information recovery tools as they might get some of your files back, and leave us a comment if you are having problems getting rid of this infection. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Boot your system in Safe Mode with Networking

Windows 10/8.1/8

1. Press the Windows Key.
2. Type Change advanced startup options in the search window and press Enter.
3. Under the Recovery tab, select the Restart now option under Advanced startup.
4. Select Troubleshoot.
5. Select Advanced options and go to Startup Settings.
6. Click the Restart button.
7. Select Enable Safe Mode with Networking by pressing 5.

Windows 7 and Vista

1. Click the Start button click the arrow next to the Shut Down button, and then click Restart.
2. Press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode with Networking, and then press Enter.
4. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.

Windows XP

1. Click the Start button and then click Restart.
2. Press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode with Networking, and then press Enter.
4. Log on to your computer.

Method 1. Manual removal

1. Simultaneously press the Windows+E keys.
2. Enter %TEMP% in the resulting window’s address bar.
3. Find the executable file named activator.exe, loader.exe, setup.exe, firefox.exe, or smss.exe.
4. Delete it and Empty the Recycling bin.

Manually delete the malicious registry keys

1. Simultaneously press the Windows+R.
2. Enter regedit in the resulting window box and click OK.
3. Find and Delete HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop and HKU\Administrator\mvpdata

Method 2. Automatic removal using our recommended antimalware

1. Go to http://www.pcthreat.com/download-sph
2. Download the installer and run it.
3. Follow the installation instructions.
4. Run the program once it is installed.
5. Perform a full system scan.
6. Click Fix Threats.
7. Done.