HolyCrypt Ransomware Removal

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In this article we are going to try and help you remove HolyCrypt. Our instructions cover all Windows versions.

HolyCrypt is coming for your files! Read this article carefully.

Ransomware viruses have been around for quite a while, but it was not until fairly recently that they’ve become one of the major online threats that you can encounter. Unfortunately, the tendency is that they only seem to get more advanced with every new and improved version. HolyCrypt is one of the latest ransomware viruses and as such is currently on the rise. Therefore, if your PC happens to get infected by ransomware, the chances are that it is HolyCrypt. In this article we will try to provide you with all the important information about this type of malicious software that you’d need to successfully protect your machine from it. We’ve also included a possible way to remove HolyCrypt, if it has already gotten onto your computer. However, keep in mind that so far hackers have managed to remain one step ahead of the IT community. Thus, it is possible that sometimes there might not be a way to fully nullify the effect that this nasty virus might have on your PC.

A unique type of virus

Ransomware is unlike any other type of malicious programs. While most other types of harmful software try to directly damage your computer’s system, spy on you or steal money and data from your online accounts, ransomware viruses take a different approach. Once HolyCrypt gets inside your PC, it tries its best to remain hidden for a certain period of time, during which period it copies most if not all of your files. The copies are identical to the originals except for one very important difference – they are all encrypted by the ransomware. If a file is encrypted, it is inaccessible to you, unless your computer has a specific code that is needed to read the encryption. After your files have been copied into encrypted copies, the ransomware deletes the originals. That way, you’ve still got your files, but you cannot open any of them. After this process has come to an end, the virus actually reveals its presence on your computer by displaying a message on your screen. The beginning of this message usually reads something among the lines of “Your files have been encrypted by HolyCrypt!” The message continues, telling you that if you want to regain access to your files, you’d need to pay a certain amount of money in the form of bitcoins to the hacker who’s controlling the virus. Bitcoins are a cyber-currency that is nearly impossible to trace. This means that there’s almost no chance that the criminal who’s blackmailing you would ever be exposed and brought to justice. That is one of the main reasons why ransomware viruses are becoming so popular among all sorts of cyber criminals. Apart from the ransom demand, instructions on how to actually get bitcoins and transfer them to the hacker are also provided in the message.

Your options after the encryption

We are sorry to tell you that if your computer has been infected by HolyCrypt, you’re not left with many options. You can, of course, pay the ransom but we believe this is a very bad idea since there’s no guarantee that you’d ever get the encryption code. Also, giving money to criminals encourages them to continue blackmailing people. That is why our advice for you is to try out our guide on how to remove HolyCrypt and restore your files. In most cases it should do the job. Besides, there’s a link in the guide to a list of free ransomware decryptors that may help you acquire the encryption code without having to pay for it. Still keep in mind that when it comes to ransomware viruses, there are no guarantees. However, using our guide is surely a much better alternative to paying the ransom.

Tips

We strongly recommend that you make a mental note of the following pieces of advice. These may well make the difference between having your PC clean and safe and having your files locked by HolyCrypt or some other nasty ransomware.

• Have a good anti-malware program. Often ransomware gets on people’s computers with the help of another virus like, for instance, a Trojan Horse.

• Back up all your important files. This can effectively nullify the whole effect of a ransomware virus.

• Be careful when opening new e-mails, since this is one of the most commonly used methods for distributing ransomware.

• Pay attention to your PC’s behavior – if you notice that there’s unusually high RAM or CPU usage or that you have less free storage space than you’re supposed to, know that this might be caused by ransomware. In such case, shut down your machine ASAP and bring it to a specialist.

HolyCrypt Ransomware Removal

# 1

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Enter Windows Safe mode.

• Win 7 Users: Restart your PC –> keep on clicking F8 –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Mode with Networking.
• Win 8 Users: Start Button –> Control Panel –> System and Security –> Administrative Tools –> System Configuration –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Boot –>
• Win 10 users: Start Menu –> Power Options Menu –> Hold down the SHIFT button while clicking on Restart –> Troubleshoot –> Advanced Options –> Startup Settings –> Restart –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Mode with Networking.

# 2

Open Task Manager and locate any processes associated with HolyCrypt.

• Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys simultaneously –> Processes Tab –> Select a suspicious process (use Google or ask us in the comments if you are not sure about a process) –> Right Click and Open File Location –> End the suspicious process in Task Manager –> Delete the Folders containing the suspicious files.

# 3

Open the Registry Editor and search for HolyCrypt.

• Win 7 Users: Click Start and type regedit –> Enter –> Press CTRL + F buttons –> Type Cryp1 Virus in the search field.
• Win 8/10 users: Start Button –> Choose Run –> type regedit –> Enter Press CTRL + F buttons  Type HolyCrypt in the search field.

# 4

Try to recover your files. First you will need System Restore.

• Win 7 Users: Start button –> Type Windows System Restore –> Enter –> Open System Restore –> Select a Restore Point and revert to it.
• Win 8 Users: Hold down the Windows key + Q –> Type Recovery –> Settings –> Choose the Recovery icon –> Open System Restore –> Select a Restore Point.
• Win 10 Users: Start Menu –> Power Options Menu –> Hold down the SHIFT button while clicking on Restart –> Troubleshoot –> Advanced Options –> System Restore –> Select a Restore Point and apply it.

Secondly use program that can access your Shadow Copies.

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• Use Google to find the official website of such a program and download it.
• Use the program to select the file types and the hard drive locations you want the program to scan for.
• Start the scan and keep in mind that it might take a while.
• Once the scan has been completed just select the files you want to be recovered.

If you have questions or suggestions feel free to use our comments section!