Remove CDTT Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .cdtt Files)

Cdtt virus is a type of computer virus that infiltrates your PC, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant actions, that malware also changes some important settings and can even disable your antivirus program.

Cdtt ransomware – what is it?

Cdtt ransomware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That sort of computer virus is aimed on individuals. This specification supposes that Cdtt does not bring any type of additional malware, which often helps ransomware of other families to take control of your PC. Since most users do not have anything valuable , there is no need to download other viruses that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The common signs of this ransomware activity is the emersion of .cdtt files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.cdtt, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.cdtt and so on. You cannot to prevent this action, and can’t open these documents – they are ciphered with quite strong algorithm.

You can also spectate various other signs of virus activity. Spontaneously stopped Microsoft Defender and inability to check the popular anti-malware forums or web pages, where the malware removal and file decryption guides are posted. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to delete Cdtt ransomware and get the .cdtt files back.

How did Cdtt ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Cdtt ransomware establishes a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by malware maintainers – people who manage the distribution of this virus. Another activity which is performed by those crooks is answering the emails of victims, who want to get their files back.

The files are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The digit in the name of this algorithms means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption keys variations – it is unreal to brute force it. As analysts say, it will take more time than our planet can approximately exist, even when you use the most powerful computers. In each folder that has the encrypted documents, Cdtt ransomware leaves the _readme.txt file with the following contents:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees you have?

You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku

Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.

Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.

Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:

support@fishmail.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nonetheless, you can still use some of your files. The Cdtt ransomware encrypts only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this document can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is capable of open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each file will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Cdtt ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was described several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Cdtt malware makes the changes in your computer in order to prevent looking for the virus removal and file decryption guides. Malware does not establish the software obstacle – it just changes the system settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Through the networking configurations, the most changed item is the HOSTS file. This text file has the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the browsers while requesting to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain web page, your web browser will connect that site through that DNS next time. Ransomware edits this file, adding the non-existent DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other modifications done by the ransomware are targeted on prevention of fast spotting of itself, and also disabling the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Cdtt ransomware implements some modifications in Group Policies – the system setting app which allows to modify the rights of each app. In such a way, the virus blocks the Microsoft Defender and several other anti-malware programs, as well as disables the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family is active, it was using dubious software as the main method of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious software I mean apps that are already not updated by the developer and spread through the file sharing websites. These programs may be cracked, to make them usable without buying any license. Another example of such a program type is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

These programs may be distributed in different methods – through the website that offers a downloading link, and also through the seeding networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the most popular computer piracy resources. People use these sites to get different apps or games for free, even if they must be purchased. No one can stop the users who crack these programs from adding viruses of some type to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw purposes, so their developers may easily embed the ransomware under the guise of some program part.

These cracked apps, regardless of their source, are one of the most often sources for various viruses, and 100% the most used one for Cdtt virus. It is better to avoid using of it, and not only because of ransomware installation risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an illegal action, and both hackers and folks who make use of hacked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Cdtt ransomware?

The Cdtt virus is very hard to remove manually. In fact, because of the amount of modifications it makes into your Windows, it is almost unreal to detect them all and repair. The best decision is to use anti-malware software. But which one to choose?

You can spectate the advices to use Microsoft Defender, that is already in your Windows. But as it was mentioned before, the majority of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples disable it even before the encryption procedure. Making use of the third-party program is the only solution – and I can advice you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for this case. It has perfect detection abilities, so the Cdtt ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, that is heavily demanded after the Cdtt virus attack.

To remove Cdtt malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Virus removal is required to prevent the repeating encryption of your files: while Cdtt ransomware is active, it will not pass any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .cdtt files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Cdtt malware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is conducted with a special tool, designed by Emsisoft, and named Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is free. Analysts update its decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will definitely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another way to get your files back is to try to recover them from your disks. Since Cdtt virus deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the files are still stored on the disk. After the removal, the information about them is removed from the file system, but not from a disk. Special tools, like PhotoRec, are able to recover these files. It is free, too, and may also be used for file recovery in case when you have deleted some files unintentionally.

Decrypting the .cdtt files with Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu

Download and install Emsisoft Decrypter tool. Agree with its EULA and continue to the interface.

The interface of this program is extremely easy. All you have to do is to select the folder where the encrypted files are stored, and wait. If the program has the decryption key which corresponds to your ransomware case – it will decrypt it.

During the use of Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu, you may observe various error messages. Don’t worry, that does not mean that you did something wrong or a program does not work properly. Each of these errors refer to a specific case. Here is the explanation:

Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]

The program does not have a corresponding key for your case. You need to wait for some time until the key database will be updated.

No key for new variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible.

This error means that your files are encrypted with an online key. In such a case, the decryption key is unique and stored on the remote server, controlled by crooks. Unfortunately, the decryption is impossible.

Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]

This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

Ransomware uses the offline key to encrypt your files. This key is not unique, so you likely have it in common with another victim. Since offline keys must be collected, too, it is important to keep calm and wait until the analysts team finds one which will fit your case.

Remote name could not be resolved

This error indicates that the program has problems with DNS on your computer. That’s a clear sign of malicious alterations in your HOSTS file. Reset it using the official Microsoft guide.

Recovering the .cdtt files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. It checks each disk sector for the residues of deleted files, and then attempts to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different formats. Because of the described feature of ransomware encryption mechanism, it is possible to use this tool to get the original, unencrypted files back.

Download PhotoRec from the official website. It is absolutely free, however, its developer warns that he does not guarantee that this program will be 100% effective for file recovery purposes. Moreover, even paid apps can barely give you such a guarantee, because of the chain of random factors that can make the file recovery harder.

Unzip the downloaded archive to the folder you like. Don’t worry because of its name – TestDisk – this is the name of the utility developed by the same company. They decided to spread it together since PhotoRec and TestDisk are often used together. Among the unzipped files, search for qphotorec_win.exe file. Run this executable file.

Before you can start the recovery process, you need to specify several settings. In the drop-down list, choose the logic disk where the files were stored before the encryption.

Then, you need to specify the file formats you need to recover. It may be difficult to scroll all 400+ formats, luckily, they are sorted by alphabetical order.

Finally, name the folder you want to use as a container for recovered files. The program will likely dig out a lot of useless files, which were deleted intentionally, so desktop is a bad solution. The best option is to use the USB-drive.

After these easy manipulations, you may just press the “Search” button (it turns active if you specified all required parameters). The recovery process may take several hours, so keep patient. It is recommended not to use the computer during this term, since you may overwrite some files you are intending to recover.

Frequently Asked Questions