How to remove Pay Us ransomware and recover files

Complete tips to delete Pay Us ransomware and decrypt data

Pay Us ransomware is a ransomware-type infection that operates by encrypting data and then demanding ransom payment for the decryption. In other word, the files affected by this virus become inaccessible and the victims are asked to pay- to restore access to them again.

During the encryption process, the file are appended with .pay us extension. To elaborate this, a file initially titled 1.jpg would appear as “1.jpg.pay us”, “2.jpg” as “2.jpg.pay us”, and so forth. After this process is complete, the ransomware creates read_me.txt text file as its ransom note.

The ransom demanding message informs the victims that their devices have been encrypted with ransomware and consequently all files have been encrypted. To restore the compromised data, the victims are asked they have to purchase a unique decryption tool/ key from the crooks behind this ransomware.

The price of this decryption tool, as stated in the ransom note is 1500 USD / 0.1473766 BTC (Bitcoin cryptocurrency).  While conversion rate fluctuates, the conversion indicated in the message was not accurate during the moment of the malware analysis. This sum was approximately 4600 USD.

Unfortunately, in most cases with ransomware infections, the files decryption is impossible without the involvement of the crooks behind it. It might be possible if the malware is at its initial stage or has certain bugs/ flaws in it.

Whatever the case, it is strongly not recommended to meet the ransom demands. The crooks often do not provide the decryption tool even if all their demands are met. Therefore, they suffer financial loss and their files remain encrypted.

To prevent Pay Us ransomware from further files encryption, its removal is necessary. However, this process will not decrypt already encrypted files. The files recovery process is however very easy, if when you have any existing backups available.

Even if, there is no such backup file you have, you have at least ways to recover the files. First option is to use Shadow Copies. The ransomware might leave this automatically created backup untouched during the system attack and files recovery process.

Below the post, you will find a data recovery section where you will be guided how you can recover files using Shadow Copies. Another data recovery option you have is to use data recovery tools. These tools are nowadays designed with various functionalities added and so you can rely on such tools.

How did Pay Us ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed using a wide variety of techniques. These programs are often disguised as or bundled with regular software and then distributed via various untrustworthy downloading channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders.

Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are the prime examples of that. Cracking tools infect systems instead of activating licensed products. Fraudulent updaters cause system infection by abusing bugs/flaws of outdated software or by installing malware rather than promised updates.

Spam campaigns can be used to spread malware too. The campaign is used to send spam emails by thousands. These letters are usually presented as official, urgent and similar. They have infectious files or links for such files in them.

These virulent files could be in any formats, including PDFs and Microsoft Office documents, Archives, executables, JavaScript and so on. When these files are executed, run or otherwise opened- the malware download/ installation process is triggered.

Text presented in Pay Us ransomware‘s text file (“read_me.txt”):

All of your files have been encrypted

Your computer was infected with a ransomware virus. Your files have been encrypted and you won’t

be able to decrypt them without our help.What can I do to get my files back?You can buy our special

decryption software, this software will allow you to recover all of your data and remove the

ransomware from your computer.The price for the software is $1,500. Payment can be made in Bitcoin only.

How do I pay, where do I get Bitcoin?

Purchasing Bitcoin varies from country to country, you are best advised to do a quick google search

yourself  to find out how to buy Bitcoin.

Many of our customers have reported these sites to be fast and reliable:

Coinmama – hxxps://www.coinmama.com Bitpanda – hxxps://www.bitpanda.com

Payment informationAmount: 0.1473766 BTC

Bitcoin Address:  bc1qw0ll8p9m8uezhqhyd7z459ajrk722yn8c5j4fg

How to prevent ransomware infection?

It is recommended to download only from official websites and direct links. Additionally, programs should have to be activated/updated using tools/functions from official software developers. Any irrelevant and suspicious senders’ email should never be opened- especially the presented attachments in them.

It is paramount to have a dependable antivirus tool installed and kept updated. Furthermore, this software should have to be used for regular system scans and to remove any detected threats/ issues. If Pay Us ransomware is already running inside, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool and remove it automatically.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Pay Us ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Pay Us ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Pay Us ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete Pay Us ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Pay Us ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Pay Us ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Pay Us ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Pay Us ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by Pay Us ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Pay Us ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Pay Us ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Pay Us ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Pay Us ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.