How to remove Pay2Key Ransomware

Files encrypted by Pay2Key Ransomware: Is there any solution? (Ransomware removal and Data recovery solution)

Pay2Key Ransomware is another file virus belongs to Ransomware family. This dubious file virus is made using AES & RSA encryption algorithm techniques by cybercriminals. It mostly targets the Israeli companies by locking all files stored in their computers and demands ransom payment for decryption. It operates by executing “psexsc.exe” executable file in their machine without permission and starts executing encryption module as well. As per our research, attackers connected to machine on targeted network mostly via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol).

Pay2Key Ransomware’s developers have the ability to make a rapid move of distributing ransomware within an hour to entire network. It means when they gain access to targeted network, they will spread encryption module or ransomware programs into each computer connected to the network. They will set up a pivot device that will be used as proxy for all the outgoing communications between its Command-and-Control (C2) servers and computers infected with this ransomware. This way, they can block or reduce the risk of detection before locking/encrypting files of computers on targeted networks.

Pay2Key Ransomware executes “Cobalt.client.exe” on each computer in targeted network to encrypt all types/formats of files stored on device. After encryption process is complete, ransom note as “[Organization name]_MESSAGE.txt” are dropped in each folder of each computers in targeted organizations. The ransom note states that entire network and all your information in your network have been successfully encrypted don’t modify encrypted files or you can damage them. It also claims the only way to get back your files by contacting cybercriminals’ behind this malware.

Pay2Key Ransomware provides free decryption test for some locked files as proof that they have right decryption keys. As mentioned in ransom note, it asks the users to send up to 4 random locked files on given email address. After free decryption test successful, it forces you to pay certain amount of ransom money in BTC to decrypt your files. It also claims that that if ransom payment is not made on right time, price of ransom to decrypt your files will be doubled. Keep in mind that they are not going to recover any of your locked files even the ransom money is paid. So, you should never trust on them at any cases and avoid paying any amount of extortion money to them. If your System is already infected with Pay2Key Ransomware or similar infections, you can try to remove them from machine as soon as possible and after ransomware removal, you can try to restore your locked files using a backup.

Ransomware distribution methods:

Cybercriminals behind Pay2Key Ransomware attempts to install this ransomware on machine on targeted networks via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). This malware can also come from email spam campaigns. Attackers send spam emails in your mailbox which contain some messages along with suspicious hyperlinks or attachments. These attachments can be Microsoft Office documents, PDF, RAR, ZIP, JavaScript and/or other formats of files. Once opened, attackers execute encryption module in your machine and starts locking all files stored in your machine. On other hand, ransomware or malware can come from fake software updaters, downloaders and installers. If you activate or purchase license for the software package installed in your machine from unofficial sources, then you also allow attackers behind these fake software updaters to install malware or ransomware in your machine.

How to protect your System against ransomware attacks?

As mentioned above, attackers can deliver malware or viruses in your machine through weak network. So, you should always to browse the internet using safe & secure network and avoid visiting shady/untrustworthy sources. Any hyperlinks or attachments presented in spam or irrelevant emails must not be opened. You should try to block these senders’ email address from sending spam emails and check if “Anti-Spam Filter” feature is enabled in your mail service which you use. “Anti-spam filter” feature when enabled, all the spammy emails automatically send to spam folder of your mail service. To protect your device from ransomware or malware attack, you can scan your machine with powerful antivirus software.

Threat Summary

Threat Name: Pay2Key Ransomware, Pay2Key File virus

Threat Type: Ransomware, File Virus, Crypto-Malware

Description: This nasty file virus targets Israeli company’s network and encrypts all the files stored in each computer connected to the same network.

Distribution methods: Bundles of free software packages, fake software updaters, installers or downloaders, malicious emails and attachments, suspicious hyperlinks

Motives of attackers: Aims to collect your personal information and shares these collected details to illegal ones or misused for illegal purposes.

Ransomware removal method: To remove Pay2Key Ransomware or similar malware, we recommended you to scan your computer with powerful antivirus software

Data recovery solution: To restore all files locked by Pay2Key Ransomware, you can use powerful data recovery software.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Pay2Key Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Pay2Key Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Pay2Key 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 Pay2Key Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Pay2Key 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 Pay2Key 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 Pay2Key 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 Pay2Key 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 Pay2Key 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 Pay2Key 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 Pay2Key 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 Pay2Key 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 Pay2Key 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.