PshCrypt ransomware – Depth Analysis
Speaking of truth, PshCrypt ransomware is not a high level ransomware program and surely it is not as effective as Cerber ransomware. During analysis, we found that after encoding your files, it market them with a weird extension – '.psh'. This extension indicates that your files are encoded with PshCrypt file encoder virus. Your files having this suffix becomes inaccessible and useless. Taking full advantage of it, the ransomware displays ransom texts on your PC screen and offers a deal in behalf of ransomware creators. According to the offered deal, in case you want to decode your files then you need to pay off 0.05 BTC as ransom charge. Interestingly, its developers only accept ransom payment in the mode of Bitcoin currency via Bitcoin base account. If you know nothing about Bitcoin then you should note that Bitcoin currency is service that help users to do untraceable transactions. Apparently, the Bitcoin servers are hosted on TOR network, so that none can trace it.
As we mentioned, PshCrypt ransomware is not a high level file encoder program, Malware researchers have already cracked it and have released a Serial key – HBGP which can be used for decoding files encoded by the file encoder program. It seems like the file encoder virus was developed by inexperienced developers. In fact, it has so many bugs. Even, its screen locker feature doesn't work so well. While restarting PC into safe mode the screen lock wallpaper disappears surprisingly. Judging on ransomware appearance and performance, its developer must had a quite childish mind who also thinks that leaving stupid jokes about human's body parts in its source code is funny. Generally, ransomware's ransom note states that “Your File Are Encoded” but its screen locker note states that “Tours files are encrypted” – funny, isn't it? Depth analysis also reveals that its developer must be a French-speaking individual.
Reasons behind PshCrypt ransomware Attacks
- Lack of Reliable Antimalware : when your computer is unprotected, file encoder viruses take advantage of it and invades your computer without your consent.
- Involvement in malicious activities : if you always double click suspicious files or spam emails attachments without verifying the source first then your computer may soon get compromised with PshCrypt ransomware and other viruses.
- Installation of pirated software/games : installing pirated software or games is never safe. Their achieve file always come bundled up with malware, ransomware or exploit kits. When you execute them you become a victim.
As of now, we highly recommend you to use following instruction wisely to get rid of PshCrypt ransomware completely from affected computer.
Free Scan your Windows PC to detect PshCrypt ransomware
Remove PshCrypt ransomware From Your PC
Step 1: Remove PshCrypt ransomware in Safe Mode with Command Prompt
- First of all disconnect your PC with network connection.
- Click restart button and keep pressing F8 key regularly while system restart.
- You will see “Windows Advanced Options Menu” on your computer screen.
- Select “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and press Enter key.
- You must login your computer with Administrator account for full privilege.
- Once the Command Prompt appears then type rstrui.exe and press Enter
- Now follow the prompts on your screen to complete system restore.
Step 2: Remove PshCrypt ransomware using MSConfig in Safe Mode:
- Power off your computer and restart again.
- While booting press the “F8 key” continuously to open “Windows Advanced Options Menu”.
- Use the arrow keys to select “Safe Mode” option and press Enter key.
- Once system get started go to Start menu. Type “msconfig” in the search box and launch the application.
- Go to the Startup tab and look for files from %AppData% or %Temp% folders using rundll32.exe. See an example below:
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe C:\Users\username\appdata\local\temp\regepqzf.dll,H1N1
- Disable all the malicious entries and save the changes.
- Now restart your computer normally.
Step 3 : Kill Malicious Process Related To PshCrypt ransomware
- Press Alt+Ctrl+Del buttons together.
- It will open the Task manager on your screen.
- Go to Process Tab and find PshCrypt ransomware related process.
- Click the End Process Now button to stop the running process.
Step 4 : Remove PshCrypt ransomware Virus From Registry Entry
- Press “Windows + R” key together to open Run Box.
- Type “regedit” and click OK button.
- Find and remove PshCrypt ransomware related entries.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
Now hopefully you have completely removed the PshCrypt ransomware virus from your computer. If you are still get ransom message from the threat or unable to access your files, then it means that virus still remain into your computer. In such situation you don’t have any other option except removing this virus using any powerful malware removal tool.
Whereas if you have any backup of your infected or encrypted files, then you can also reinstall your Windows OS. This will erase all your files and data as along with the PshCrypt ransomware infection. You will get a completely empty computer system with no files. Now you can use your backup to get your files. If you don’t have any backup then using malware removal tool is a better option for you.
If you have any query or question regarding your computer, then you can easily ask your problem to our experts. Go to the Ask Any Question page and get the answer for your query directly from out experts.