Most commonly, files with .CRYPTED extension belong to a particular type of ransomware, but in some cases, it could be data files utilized by certain applications. The two main scenarios where .CRYPTED files are involved shall be discussed in detail in the following sections.
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that infiltrates your computer and locks or encrypts your data, rendering it useless until a ransom is paid. Ransomware often changes the extensions of the locked files and in many cases files are found with a .CRYPTED extension. Typically, these are renamed copies of original data files which have been encrypted by the malware.
To regain access, it's essential that you remove the ransomware from your system first and foremost. Antivirus and anti-malware programs like Malwarebytes and Kaspersky can help in this regard. Afterwards, encrypted files can potentially be decrypted using decryption tools. Websites such as No More Ransom offer free decryption tools for various types of ransomware. But the success of decryption largely depends on the type of ransomware and whether a decryption key is available.
There are certain applications, like TrueCrypt, that use .CRYPTED files as encrypted volume files. If you have a .CRYPTED file that does not represent encrypted data by ransomware, it is likely that you're dealing with this type. These files are typically encoded and can only be accessed with the right decryption key or password within the program that created them.
It's important to know, though, that TrueCrypt was discontinued and its last fully functional release, version 7.1a, can still be downloaded on several sites like TrueCrypt71a. If the .CRYPTED file you have was created using this application, opening it would require installing this older version of TrueCrypt and using the correct password or decryption key.
Be it ransomware or encrypted data files for certain applications, it's crucial to keep in mind that .CRYPTED files can't be normally opened or used like other file formats. Most often, their decryption requires specific tools, keys, or passwords. It is strongly recommended to keep a regular backup of important data to prevent any potential data loss. Also, use reliable security software to protect your system from malware such as ransomware.
If you downloaded a CRYPTED file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:
To open CRYPTED File on iOS device follow steps below:
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