How to remove Seccrypt Ransomware and recover encrypted files

Complete tips to delete Seccrypt Ransomware and restore files

Seccrypt Ransomware is a cryptovirus from WastedLocker ransomware family. Like other variants of this family, Seccrypt encrypts all stored files to make the users inaccessible to them without using a right decryption tool/ software for which the crooks encourage the users to pay ransom to them. The malware encodes the filenames of each of the encrypted files with .seccrypt extension. For example, a file “1.jpg” becomes “1.jpg.seccrypt”, “2.jpg” becomes “2.jpg.seccrypt”, and so on.

Rightly after the files encryption process is complete, Seccrypt Ransomware creates ransom demanding notese qual in number to the number of files affected associated with each encrypted file in their compromised folder. If there are files named “1.jpg.seccrypt” and “2.jpg.seccrypt” in a folder, then the ransomware creates the “1.jpg.howto_seccrypt” and “2.jpg.howto_seccrypt” ransom notes, and so forth. All the ransom notes contain similar ransom demanding text.

According to the ransom text, all the stored files have been encrypted using a strong encryption algorithm. Thus, a unique decryption tool is needed for the files recovery. To get the information of the price of the decryption and payment details with the instruction on how to use the tool, the users are asked to contact the attackers via [email protected] email address. The ransom note warns the users not to rename or move any of the encrypted files.

 Very often, it is almost impossible to decrypt files without using a unique decryption tool/ key that can be provided only by the crooks behind the ransomware installed on the computer. However, it is important to know that the attackers often do send the decryption tool even if the victims pay for it.  So, in such a case, the only way to recover the files without losing money is to use backup you have. This backup could in the form of external storage device you kept for safety or the cloud services you are using.

Volume Shadow Copies are automatically backups created by the Windows Operating systems. While ransomware could be designed to delete these copies by running certain commands such as PowerShell commands, it could be the case that Seccrypt Ransomware does not have this much capability and so this automatically created backup from OS available for you as an option for the files recovery. Certain data recovery tools are developed especially to help the users in such a case of losing access to the files to back them in accessible condition. However, majority of such apps take charges for providing this service.

The important advice we want to give you is that you should firstly think of how to remove Seccrypt Ransomware from the system. The files recovery process will never be preceded until the ransomware virus is removed from the system – it will interfere during the process or that and perform the encryption again. It might even corrupt the tool you are using for the files recovery. The malware removal is also necessary to avoid possible damages that the virus may cause if running for any longer time.

The removal process can be done easily using some reputable antivirus tool. Manually, you will require advanced skill and previous knowledge – the complete guide is however provided for both the manual as well as automatic mode of malware removal just below the post. After successfully removing Seccrypt Ransomware from system, use the backup you have and restore the files. If there is no backup option available, use the other alternatives as stated – you can check the complete data recovery guide provided below in the data recovery section.

How did Seccrypt Ransomware infiltrate my computer?

Most of the users infect their systems via Trojans, Phishing emails, unreliable tools, sources for downloading software or files, fake software updaters and unofficial software activation tools. Trojans are malicious programs designed for the purpose to install payload/ additional malware. Spam emails are used to deliver malware through attachments or website links in them. Either way, the crooks aim to trick the users into opening the malicious file that installs certain malware. These files that deliver malware through emails could be Microsoft Office, PDF documents, JavaScript files, archive files like RAR, ZIP, executable files and so on.

Unreliable download channels for downloading programs, files that crooks can use to distribute malware are p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers. Crooks use them to trick the users into downloading malicious files by disguising them as some legit software. Users infect their systems via opening the downloaded malicious files. Third party, fake software updaters infect systems by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software or by directly downloading/ installing malware instead of providing updates. Unofficial software activation tools are designed infect systems by supposedly bypassing activation keys for paid software.

Full text presented in Seccrypt Ransomware’s created ransom note:

Your network has been penetrated.

All files on each host in the network have been encrypted with a strong algorythm.

Backups were either encrypted or deleted.

Do not rename or move the encrypted files.

To get the files back contact us at: [email protected]

Store the encryption key:

–

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Irrelevant emails received from any unknown, suspicious addresses should never be trusted. If the emails contain any attachment files or website links, never open them. No software should be downloaded from third party downlodaers, installers, unofficial pages or other sources, tools of this kind. It is advised to trust downloads that the official websites and direct links provide. Installed software should always be updated/ activated using the tools/ functions from official software developers only. Very often, third party, unofficial updaters, activation tools are designed to install malware. Another issue is that these tools are not legal to use to activate any licensed software and also to use pirated software either.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Seccrypt Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Seccrypt Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Seccrypt Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete Seccrypt Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Seccrypt Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Seccrypt Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Seccrypt Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Seccrypt Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by Seccrypt Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Seccrypt Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Seccrypt Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Seccrypt Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Seccrypt Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.