Alpha Crypt Virus

What is Alpha Crypt?

Alpha Crypt is a ransomware infection that infiltrates computer systems using infected email messages or Angler Exploit Kit (Flash exploit - CVE-2015-0311). This malware was previously known as TeslaCrypt. After successful infiltration, Alpha Crypt encrypts files found on the victim’s computer using the AES CBC 256-bit encryption algorithm.

For example: .wma, .avi, .wmv, .zip, docx, .doc, .ppt, .lvl, .snx, .cfr, .ff and many others (185 file types in total). Like its predecessor, Alpha Crypt mainly targets gamers. Here are some examples of video games files (saved games and Steam activation keys) targeted by this ransomware: World of Warcraft, League of Legends, World of Tanks, and Call of Duty.

After successful file encryption, Alpha Crypt assigns the user’s desktop wallpaper to HELP_TO_SAVE_FILES.bmp and opens the HELP_TO_SAVE_FILES.txt file, which contains instructions on how to decrypt the compromised files. At time of writing, cyber criminals demanded 0.7 BTC (Bitcoins) to decrypt the files.

Alpha Crypt adds the .ezz extension to all encrypted files. To regain control of compromised files, victims are asked to connect to a TOR website and pay the ransom using Bitcoins. TOR network ensures that criminals' identities and locations remain anonymous.

Updated variant of Alpha Crypt ransomware adds .EXX prefix to the encrypted files:

The new variant of this ransomware no longer shows it's name in the Decrypt Service page:

Ransomware infections such as Alpha Crypt (including Crypt0L0cker, CryptoWall, and CTB-Locker) present a strong case to maintain regular backups of your stored data.

Note that paying the ransom as demanded by this ransomware is equivalent to sending your money to cyber criminals - you will support their malicious business model and there is no guarantee that your files will ever be decrypted.

To avoid computer infection with ransomware infections such as this, express caution when opening email messages, since cyber criminals use various catchy titles to trick PC users into opening infected email attachments. At time of writing, no tools were available to decrypt files affected by Alpha Crypt malware without paying the ransom.

The best solution is to remove this ransomware virus from your system and then restore your data from a backup.

Alpha Crypt demanding ransom payment to decrypt the files:

Your files have been safely encrypted on this PC: photos, videos, documents, etc. Click "Show encrypted files" Button to view a complete list of encrypted files, and you can personally verify this. Encryption was produced using a unique public key RSA-2048 generated for this computer. To decrypt files you need to obtain the private key. The only copy of the private key, which allow you to decrypt your files, is located on a secret server in the Internet; the server will eliminate the key after a time period specified in this window.

Once this has been done, nobody will ever be able to restore files...

Cyber criminals have updated the ransom demanding message:

All your important files are encrypted! Your personal files (including  those on the network disks, USB, etc) have been encrypted: photos, videos, documents, etc. Click “Show files” Button to view a complete list of encrypted files, and you can personally verify this. Encryption was made using a unique strongest RSA-2048 public key generated for his computer. To decrypt files you need to acquire the private key. The only copy of the private key, which will allow you to decrypt your files, is located on a secret TOR server in the Internet; the server will eliminate the key after a time period specified in this window. Once this has been done, nobody will ever be able to restore files… There is no other way to restore your files except of making the payment. Any attempt to remove or corrupt this software will result in immediate elimination of the private key by the server.

Alpha Crypt HELP_TO_SAVE_FILES.bmp file used as victim's desktop wallpaper:

Some examples file types encrypted by Alpha Crypt ransomware (there are 185 file types in total):

.unity3d, .blob, .wma, .avi, .rar, .DayZProfile, .doc, .odb, .asset, ,forge, .cas, .map, .mcgame, .rgss3a, .big, .wotreplay, .xxx, .m3u, .png, .jpeg, .txt, .crt, .x3f, .ai, .eps, .pdf, .lvl, .sis, .gdb, .wmv, .zip, docx, .doc, .ppt, .lvl, .snx, .cfr, .ff

Screenshot of Alpha Crypt 'Decryption Service' website:

Ransom payment information presented by the 'Decryption Service' website:

How to pay us in bitcoins:
Useful site: howtobuybitcoins.info (find exchanges in your country)
1. Visit one of the sites below to buy bitcoins (or find one yourself using the site given above)
(2. Login or create an account if necessary.)
3. Buy the amount of bitcoins you need to pay and send them to the address given in this window.
(4. You can go to blockchain.info and search for your address to see whether the bitcoins are received.)
5. If the bitcoins are on the address, click ‘check payment and receive keys’.
6. Your keys are now received, press ‘decrypt using keys’.
7. Your files will be restored and the program will delete itself.

Note that at time of writing, there were no known tools capable of decrypting files encrypted by Alpha Crypt without paying the ransom (try restoring your files from Shadow copies).

By following this removal guide, you will be able to remove this ransomware from your computer, however, the affected files will remain encrypted. We will update this article as soon as there is more information available regarding decryption of compromised files.

Alpha Crypt ransomware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is Alpha Crypt?
• STEP 1. Alpha Crypt ransomware removal using safe mode with networking.
• STEP 2. Alpha Crypt ransomware removal using System Restore.

Step 1

Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Windows 8 users: Go to the Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click on Advanced Startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window select Advanced Startup. Click on the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into "Advanced Startup options menu".

Click on the "Troubleshoot" button, then click on "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen click on "Startup settings". Click on the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press "5" to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.

Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Step 2

Login to the account infected with the Alpha Crypt. Start your Internet browser and download a legitimate anti-spyware program. Update the anti-spyware software and start a full system scan. Remove all entries detected.

If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, try performing a System Restore.

Video showing how to remove ransomware virus using "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" and "System Restore":

1. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then select Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list and press ENTER.

2. When Command Prompt mode loads, enter the following line: cd restore and press ENTER.

3. Next, type this line: rstrui.exe and press ENTER.

4. In the opened window, click "Next".

5. Select one of the available Restore Points and click "Next" (this will restore your computer system to an earlier time and date, prior to the Alpha Crypt ransomware virus infiltrating your PC).

6. In the opened window, click "Yes".

7. After restoring your computer to a previous date, download and scan your PC with recommended malware removal software to eliminate any remaining Alpha Crypt files.

To restore individual files encrypted by this ransomware, try using the Windows Previous Versions feature. This method is only effective if the System Restore function was enabled on an infected operating system. Note that some variants of Alpha Crypt are known to remove Shadow Volume Copies of the files, so this method may not work on all computers.

To restore a file, right-click on it, go into Properties, and select the Previous Versions tab. If the relevant file has a Restore Point, select it and click the "Restore" button.

If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (or with Command Prompt), boot your computer using a rescue disk. Some variants of ransomware disable Safe Mode making its removal complicated. For this step, you require access to another computer.

To regain control of the files encrypted by Alpha Crypt, try using a program called Shadow Explorer. More information on how to use this program is available here.

To protect your computer from file encrypting ransomware, use reputable antivirus and anti-spyware programs.

Other tools known to remove Alpha Crypt:

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

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