How to remove Poteston Ransomware and recover encrypted files

Complete tips to delete Poteston Ransomware

Poteston Ransomware is a ransomware-type infection that operates by encrypting stored files and then demanding ransom payment for the decryption. To elaborate the situation, the victims cannot access/ use the files affected by this virus, and they are asked to pay – to restore them in the earlier accessible form. During the encryption process, the ransomware appends the filenames of each of the encrypted files with .Poteston extension. For example, a file 1.jpg would appear something similar to 1.jpg.poteston, 2.jpg to 2.jpg.Poteston and so on. Once this process is complete, the ransomware creates its ransom note within a file named readme.txt.

The ransom demanding message informs the victims that their files including images, audios, videos, documents, presentations and other important ones have been encrypted. The decryption requires unique decryption tool that can be purchased from the crooks behind it. Free decryption of one encrypted file is being offered to the users as a proof that the decryption tool is really working. The testing file should be the one that does not contain any valuable information. The note concludes with a warning message, alerting the users that if they rename the filename of the encrypted files or decrypt them manually using third party tools- the files will be permanently deleted.

Unfortunately, without the involvement of the crooks behind it – the decryption is not possible. It might be when the ransomware is at its initial stage or has certain bugs/ flaws in it. Regardless, it is strongly advised against meeting the ransom demands. Despite paying, the victims often receive no decryption tool. Hence, they suffer financial loss and their files remain encrypted. To prevent Poteston Ransomware from further files encryption, its removal is necessary. However, this process does not decrypt already encrypted files. So, you have to perform actions for the files recovery separately.

The data recovery process is not difficult as compare to Poteston Ransomware removal. The recovery task, in fact is so impact if you have existing backups available. The problem is that, not all users have such back options available. They do not have to worry as still they have more than one data recovery option available. Shadow Copies are one of them. These automatically created backups are often untouched during ransomware infections. Below the post, you will find complete guide how to recover files using them. Other data recovery option is to use data recovery tools from third parties. These are nowadays designed with special functionally added and so you can anticipate they are helpful in files recovery.

How did Poteston Ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often spread via spam campaigns- large scale operations during which thousands of spam emails are designed and delivered. These letters are usually presented as official, important, urgent and similar. These emails contain infectious files or links for such files in them. The virulent files can be in any formats, including PDF and Microsoft Office documents, archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), PDF and Microsoft Office documents, JavaScript, and so forth. When these files are executed, run or otherwise opened- the infection process is triggered.

Malicious files can also be distributed through dubious download channels such as unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (Torrent clients, Gnutella, eMule, etc.), and other third-party downloaders. The malware are often disguised as or bundled with ordinary software. Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are prime examples of that. Cracking tools infect systems by supposedly bypassing activation keys of paid software. Fraudulent updaters infect systems by abusing bugs/ flaws of outdated software and/or by installing malicious programs rather than the promised updates.

Text presented in Poteston Ransomware‘s text file (“readme.txt”):

All of your files such as Document, photos ,Databases, etc… has been successfully encrypted! are encrypted by Poteston Ransomware  

What guarantees do we give to you?

You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.

and files should not contain valuable information (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.).

After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

Contact us using this email address: [email protected]

Attention!

* Do not rename encrypted files.

* Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it

Your personal ID : –

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Suspicious and irrelevant emails must never be opened, especially any links or attachments in them. Additionally, it is recommended to use only official websites and direct links for any software download. It is just important to activate and update programs using tools/functions from legit developers. To ensure the device integrity and personal safety, have a reputable antivirus tool installed and updated. Also, use this tool for regular system scans and to remove any detected threats/ issues.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Poteston Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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