Crypter-2016 Ransomware

Posted: November 29, 2016

Threat Metric

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The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	8/10
Infected PCs:	2,883

First Seen:	November 29, 2016
Last Seen:	June 4, 2023
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The Crypter-2016 Ransomware is a Trojan that imitates a file-encrypting payload to instigate ransom payments from its victims. Although the Crypter-2016 Ransomware's included 'decryptor' isn't functional and the Trojan doesn't possess a real encryption feature, full data recovery should require no acts besides renaming the files back to their original extensions. In spite of its limited capacity for causing damage to data, you should remove the Crypter-2016 Ransomware with a trusted anti-malware solution since the Trojan does constitute a significant security hazard.

A Hostage Situation Under False Pretenses

Although the phenomenon of abusing file-encrypting algorithms for personal profit isn't dying soon, not every con artist is interested in creating a fully-functional data encryptor. Some threat authors with less experience or time to spend on their campaigns may opt for the appearance without the substance of such attacks. When judging by the symptoms, as malware experts find with the Crypter-2016 Ransomware, the effect can look identical to that of a real file-encrypting threat superficially.

The Crypter-2016 Ransomware targets files in common, default folder, such as your Windows Downloads directory. Although the Crypter-2016 Ransomware doesn't encrypt this data, it does overwrite the original name with the addition of a hash string and the '.crypter' extension. With no trace of the original extension left, victims may be unable to determine the appropriate associated programs for opening the fake 'encrypted' files.

After its imitation of an encryption payload, the Crypter-2016 Ransomware generates pop-up ransom messages. As usual, these messages request money in Bitcoins, making it impossible to cancel fraudulent charges or trace the identity of the threat actor. Since malware experts find the Crypter-2016 Ransomware's built-in decoder non-functional, victims see absolutely no benefit from paying the ransom.

Dismantling Brazil's Newest Software Fraud

The Crypter-2016 Ransomware only is being seen with messages targeting Brazilians, a theme also common to real file-encrypting Trojans, like the NMoreira Ransomware. Despite its unique limitations, the Crypter-2016 Ransomware does have the potential to block your content through the simple expedient of erasing the original extension tags, making it difficult to determine which file is in what format. Well-maintained backups in secure locations are a convenient solution to attacks by the Crypter-2016 Ransomware that rename large swathes of data inconveniently.

Although pop-up ransom messages by the Crypter-2016 Ransomware launch automatically, and the Crypter-2016 Ransomware, itself, maintains persistence through Registry exploits, this threat lacks significant protection from many termination measures. PC owners can close the Crypter-2016 Ransomware's pop-up with the Alt + F4 keyboard shortcut to regain access to the rest of the desktop. For a more permanent solution, malware experts encourage booting in Safe Mode and scanning your PC with anti-malware tools that delete the Crypter-2016 Ransomware safely.

The Crypter-2016 Ransomware is the definition of a threat that bases its attacks on a foundation of lies, but its central deceit doesn't mean that the Trojan is incapable of causing harm. Until malware analysts can uncover more information on its distribution methods, PC owners should be cautious about compromised websites or e-mail attachments targeting Portuguese speakers. These infection vectors could be attempts at making money with nothing more technical than scrambling your file names into pseudo-gibberish.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\2C23.tmp.exe

File name: 2C23.tmp.exe
Size: 1.05 MB (1056768 bytes)
MD5: 5fffb067ac25b1c16dde4d9cb77cc28e
Detection count: 241
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\2C23.tmp.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: February 18, 2022