RansomwareRemoval Guide

Remove CTRM Virus (.CTRM Files Ransomware) – Matrix Ransomware

CTRM Virus Ransomware

The CTRM stands for a ransomware-type infection. The infection comes from the Matrix ransomware family. CTRM was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. CTRM adds the “.CTRM” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, when encrypted by CTRM, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.CTRM“. As quickly as the encryption is finished, CTRM places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by CTRM text file requesting the ransom is absolutely the like the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives coming from the Matrix clan. It actually mentions that the information is encrypted which the only way to bring back it is to use a a distinct decryption key. Regretfully, this is absolutely true. The type of cryptography mechanism used by CTRM is still not properly examined. Still, it is absolutely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is completely unique. It is difficult to bring back the files without the key available.

Another trick of CTRM is that the victims cannot gain access to the key. The key is kept on a specific server run by the frauds related to CTRM ransomware. To get the key and recover the important info people need to pay the ransom.

Nevertheless, regardless of the asked for quantity, people must stay away from paying the virus. Cyber frauds are unfair, so they tend to completely disregard what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom normally does not provide any positive result and people simply waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We strongly recommend that you do not contact these crooks and absolutely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack CTRM ransomware and to recover the information data for free. Therefore, the just right decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.

Virus Summary

NameCTRM Ransomware
File Extension.CTRM
TypeRansomware
FamilyMatrix
Short DescriptionThe ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
SymptomsFile encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special CTRM extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution MethodSpam Emails, Email Attachments
Similar InfectionsFrfo, Restorfile, Bnfd
Removal Tool   GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Remember that the internet is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to CTRM ransomware. It is similar Frfo and many other ransomware-type threats. Destructive programs of such kind are typically elaborated to encrypt crucial information and to state the demand before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to create the unique decryption key for files decryption.

Thus, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is simply not feasible. The only way to prevent the loss of your essential information is to frequently create backups of your important information.

Remember that even if you create such backups, they must be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the USB Memory Stick or external disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you store your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted together with other files, so it’s absolutely not a good storage location.

How did ransomware infect my PC?

There are several methods used by online scams to distribute CTRM ransomware. Despite the fact that it is uncertain how exactly CTRM injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:

  • integration with third-party apps, especially freeware;
  • spam emails from unidentified senders;
  • sites rendering free hosting services;
  • pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Often CTRM ransomware might be presented as some genuine software, for instance, in the pop-ups instructing users to carry out some important software application updates. This is the common technique used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing CTRM infection manually, by methods of their direct participation in the installation process.

Additionally, the criminals might refer to numerous e-mail spam techniques to inject harmful codes into PC. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam e-mails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some photos, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update notifies may result in CTRM virus injection. When it comes to the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may also consist of harmful codes leading to CTRM secret installation. Finally, injection of CTRM may happen by methods of Trojans that covertly get injected into the system and set up destructive utilities without the user’s permission.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of CTRM ransom virus?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your system from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we wish to share with with you. Firstly, be really careful when you surf the web and especially while downloading free programs. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Bear in mind that some freeware installers may contain other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be destructive. Ensure that your current anti-virus and your entire OS is always duly updated.

Obviously, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may lead to necessary damage to be made for your system. Hence, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise highly encouraged to reconsider your existing security software and potentially change to another security solution that can render much better services of defending your Windows.

Below please find the quotation from the CTRM text file:

Our congratulations. You become a victim of ransomware attack.
First оf аll wе hаvе tо infоrm уоu thаt уоur dаtа is nоt соrruptеd аnd саn bе rеstоrеd quiсklу аnd sаfеlу. Dоn\'t wоrrу аbоut it. оur sоftwаrе wоrks pеrfесtlу.
Аs уоu саn sее аll уоur filеs wеrе еnсrуptеd аnd rеnаmеd. уоur dаtа is еnсrуptеd with а strоng сrуptо аlgоrithm АЕS+RSА. Уоu саn rеаd аbоut thеsе аlgоrithms in Gооglе. Уоur uniquе dесrуptiоn kеу is sесurеlу stоrеd оn оur sеrvеr аnd nо wау tо rеstоrе уоur dаtа withоut оur hеlp.
Аlsо аll intеrеsting vаluаblе аnd соnfidеntiаl dаtа wаs uplоаdеd tо оur sеrvеrs.
If уоu will nоt stаrt diаlоg with us in 48 hоurs wе will stаrt publishing уоur соnfidеntiаl dаtа in thе Dаrknеt. Аftеr 96 hоurs stоlеn pаrtnеrs аnd сliеnts соntасts will bе usеd fоr nеw rаnsоmwаrе аttасks. Аlsо, If pоssiblе, wе will sеll уоur dаtаbаsеs tо intеrеstеd pаrtiеs.
Plеаsе nоtе thаt уоu аrе nоt а rаndоm tаrgеt. Wе knоw thаt уоu аrе аblе tо pау аnd wе will dо оur bеst tо соmplеtе this аttасk with pауing а rаnsоm pауmеnt frоm уоur pаrt. If уоu dоn\'t gеt in tоuсh, wе will lаunсh а DDоs аttасk оn уоur sitе аnd IT infrаstruсturе.
If уоu rеаllу wаnt tо sоlvе this situаtiоn уоu hаvе tо writе tо оur 3 еmаil аdrеssеs:
Citrteam@yahoo.com
Citrteam@tutanota.com
Citrteam@gmail.com
In subjеct linе please writе уоur ID: -
Уоu саn аttасh up tо 3 smаll еnсrуptеd filеs fоr frее tеst dесrуptiоn. Wе will dесrуpt thеsе filеs fоr frее аnd sеnd thеm tо уоu. This will bе prооf fоr уоu thаt wе саn dесrуpt аll уоur dаtа. Plеаsе nоtе thаt filеs must nоt соntаin vаluаblе infоrmаtiоn.
Important!
* Wе аsking tо sеnd уоur mеssаgе tо аll оf оur 3 еmаil аdrеssеs bесаusе fоr vаriоus rеаsоns, уоur еmаil mау nоt bе dеlivеrеd.
* Оur mеssаgе mау bе rесоgnizеd аs spаm, sо bе surе tо сhесk thе spаm fоldеr.
* If wе dо nоt rеspоnd tо уоu within 24 hоurs, writе tо us frоm аnоthеr еmаil аddrеss. Usе Gmаil, уаhоо, Hоtmаil, оr аnу оthеr wеll-knоwn еmаil sеrviсе.
Important!
Plеаsе dоn\'t wаstе thе timе, it will rеsult оnlу аdditinаl dаmаgе tо уоur соmpаnу!
Dоn\'t trу tо fооl us, it will оnlу inсrеаsе thе priсе!
Wе аrе prоfеssiоnаls аnd just dоing оur jоb!
Wе аrе аlwауs оpеnеd fоr diаlоguе аnd rеаdу tо hеlp!

Screenshot of files with “.CTRM” extension added by the ransomware:
CTRM Ransomware - encrypt files with .CTRM extension

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove CTRM ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Setup

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Install

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware  Start

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan Result

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Daniel Zimmermann

Daniel Zimmermann has been writing on security and malware subjects for many years and has been working in the security industry for over 10 years. Daniel was educated at the Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany and currently lives in New York.

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