CryptPethya Ransomware

CryptPethya Ransomware is a file-locker whose authors appear to be trying to impersonate the famous NotPetya Ransomware. The latter threat is very threatening, and it is designed to encrypt not just files but also the Master Boot Record (MBR) of the computer, therefore preventing it from booting up successfully. Thankfully, the CryptPethya Ransomware does no such thing, and it uses a faulty file-encryption technique, which may be reversible for free. The CryptPethya Ransomware is based on the Xorist Ransomware project, and its attack will end up encrypting a large portion of documents, pictures, archives and other files found on the compromised computer.

The locked files can be recognized because of the '.CryptPethya' extension the malware adds to their name. Furthermore, it drops the ransom message 'HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt,' which instructs the victim to pay $1,050 for a decryption tool. The criminals also use a common online sextortion scheme to give their victims one more reason to complete the ransom payment. They claim to have recorded videos of the users while browsing adult sites and threatening to send the footage to their friends, family and colleagues.

Everything in the CryptPethya Ransomware's ransom note is fake and you should not trust the criminals. They do not have any video recordings of you and paying them will not help you restore your data. You should use an anti-virus application to eliminate the CryptPethya Ransomware from your system and then experiment with the best-recommended data recovery tools and methods.