Method To Remove ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware Safely From PC

Brief Details on ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware

 

‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware is a file-encrypting ransomware which encrypts the data stored on users’ computer and makes it completely inaccessible. When this ransomware completed its work, a ransom notification is loaded into the victims’ desktop saying that “YOUR FILES WERE ENCRYPTED”. All these words are in capital letters that are emboldened. This threat is transmitted to the users computer through malicious macro scripts that are embedded onto the documents. The harmful file which is used in ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware virus attack may resemble the MS Word files and PDFs.

Aftermaths of Running ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware Virus

Although, leading cyber security anti-virus vendors remind the PC users that more than 50% of the attackers onto the corporate networks and regular system users are cheated by using phishing messages. So, if you want to limit the risk of exposure to this ransomware, just ignore and delete the mails delivered from unknown senders. As mentioned in above para, ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware is a file-encrypting virus which may be installed into the Temp directory where the Windows OS stores temporary Internet files. Besides, the executable files used by this malware generates an unique name whenever it gets installed. In most of the cases, the name is a string of some random characters, which is quite easy to spot if you open the Windows Task Manager.

Moreover, the first operation of ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware threat is what every other crypto viruses does when it land onto the targeted machine i.e. scans for the data containers. It copies the routine of an infamous Locky Ransomware infection, builds an index of the suitable targets and then initiates the encryption process. Computer users that fall victim to this ransomware will find their files inaccessible and having ‘.potato’ file extension. Files and data stored on local drives are encoded by using AES-256 encryption algorithm and the RSA-1024 cipher is used to conceal the decryption key and deliver it to the hackers’ server. The system users that have their vital files encoded by ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware may be suggested to read the content of ransom notification “How to recover my files.txt”, that can be easily found onto the desktop.

Paying Ransom Money is a Gamble and is Not Recommended at All

Of course, paying ransom fee is a gamble because the victimized users are not provided with the real decryption services by a legit company or a team of cyber experts. The hackers’ team behind ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware virus is not obliged to deliver a decryption tool to the affected PC users and may never do so. Such type of noxious threats are virtually ineffective against the users that are prepared to meet the challenges of modern threat landscape. However, you can restore the data and files encrypted by this ransomware by using cloud storage services, such as Microsoft’s OneDrive, Google Drive, Mega and Dropbox.

Free Scan your Windows PC to detect ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware

 

Remove ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware From Your PC

Step 1: Remove ‘.potato File Extension’ 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 ‘.potato File Extension’ 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 ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware

• Press Alt+Ctrl+Del buttons together.

• It will open the Task manager on your screen.
• Go to Process Tab and find ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware related process.
• Click the End Process Now button to stop the running process.

Step 4 : Remove ‘.potato File Extension’ Ransomware Virus From Registry Entry

• Press “Windows + R” key together to open Run Box.

• Type “regedit” and click OK button.

• Find and remove ‘.potato File Extension’ 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 ‘.potato File Extension’ 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 ‘.potato File Extension’ 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.