Bitdefender BTCWare Decryptor

The BTCWare ransomware, also known as CrptXXX and CryptoByte, exploits a vulnerability in the Remote Desktop Protocol to reach the target machines and encrypt various documents using the AES algorithm. The first variant was spotted in March 2017 and, since then, the master key has been leaked for the initial versions, with other variants being observed later the same year.

Making use of the leaked decryption keys and brute-force attacks, the Bitdefender BTCWare Decryptor aims to help victims of the BTCWare ransomware and its variants. Although it might not work in all cases, the dedicated decryption tool is recommended in case the computer got infected by BTCWare.

The Bitdefender BTCWare Decryptor can unlock files encrypted by the first three versions of the malware, as well as .master files generated by the fourth variant of BTCWare. Its purpose is to provide a quick means of recovering data without having to pay the ransom.

Once you agree to the terms of the end user license, the one-window interface is revealed, with no setup process to go through. The GUI comprises usage instructions, not that they are needed.

The Bitdefender BTCWare Decryptor can analyze a specific location, but if infected files are found in several places, then the user can configure it to inspect the entire system. The decryptor extracts information regarding the user ID and uses it to unlock the files. The original ransom note must be present on the computer for the application to work properly.

As it might happen with such tools, data might be lost on some occasions, and that is why there is an option to perform a backup prior to scanning. As an additional safety mechanism to avoid data loss, the application only proceeds if it manages to decrypt five random files. This test might be failed if the corrupted files have been encrypted with a ransomware family different than BTCWare.

If the BTCWare ransomware managed to reach a PC and encrypt data, then a dedicated removal tool such as Bitdefender BTCWare Decryptor is the way to go. However, the user must be sure that the BTCWare is, in fact, the ransomware type that they are a victim of. To correctly identify the malware, one should use the Bitdefender Ransomware Recognition Tool, which can also provide links to the latest version of a dedicated decryptor, if available.