How to remove protomolecule ransomware

Files encrypted by protomolecule ransomware: Is there any solution?

protomolecule ransomware is recently detected file encryption virus that belongs to ransomware family. It get inside into the targeted system without having users approval and start to encrypt all your personal and system files one by one by using strong cryptographic algorithm AES and RSA. After that it adds “[email protected]” extension at the  end of every file to make them totally useless. Furthermore, this malware belongs to Scarab ransomware family and was discovered by xiaopao.

As soon as encryption process completed, it creates a ransom note in text file format named “HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES” and drops it on all folders that contain encrypted files. The ransom note created by protomolecule ransomware states that users cannot access their files without decryption tool which can only be purchased from cyber criminals behind this malware. To get further instructions on how to purchase decryption key victims have to send their assigned ID to the provided email address.

As a proof that developers have the right decryption key they offer to decrypt 3 encrypted file for free. You may know that such file do not contain any valuable information as well as size of file is not more than 1MB. They also warn user that money should be submitted in the form of Bitcoin within 48 hours otherwise you’re all data and file will be deleted permanently from the system. Therefore, victims are highly suggested don’t try to make any deal or pay demanded sum of money to hacker.

Threat specification

Name: protomolecule ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Cryptovirus, File-lockers

Files extension: [email protected]

Ransom demanding message: HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES  

Cyber criminal contact: [email protected] 

Symptoms: files encrypted with “[email protected]” extension, ransom demanding message appears on the computer screen. Cyber criminal demand ransom in form of Bitcoin to unlock files.

Distribution Method: Spam email attachments, updating system software, clicking on malicious links, malicious ads, torrent file downloads and many others.

Damage: all kinds of targeted system and personal files including additional audios, videos, apps, games and so on.

Removal and recovery: To recover files, victims need to scan the PC with anti-malware which delete all your files and remove the infection. After that users can restore files from volume shadow copies if available, backup files or third party software. 

How to remove protomolecule ransomware and recover files?

There is no any decryptor tool available which may recover your files as earlier states. In order to retrieve files, victims are highly recommended to remove protomolecule ransomware easily and safely from the system. Here is given below easy removal steps that will help you to eliminate ransomware virus completely from the computer. After completing ransomware removal process, you can easily recover your files using backup. If backup files are not available then you can use third party data recovery software in order to get back all encrypted files.

Intrusion methods of protomolecule ransomware:

Most popular ways used by developers to trick users into downloading and installing malware on the operating system are untrustworthy software downloading channels, Trojans, cracking tools and malspam campaigns. To deceive user into infecting their device will malware through spam campaigns. They send emails that contain malicious attachment to the recipients and hope that any one of them will open. Once opened, malicious files download and install malware. So, users are advised not to open emails that seem spam or especially come from suspicious addresses.

How to prevent PC from ransomware infections?

Website links and attachments present in irrelevant emails that are received from unknown address should not be opened as it may cause high risk computer infection. All software should only be downloaded using official websites and through direct links. Third party installer, questionable pages, free file hosting sites and other similar tools should be avoided as it can be used to proliferate malware.

Furthermore, all installed software must be updated by using implemented tools or functions provided by its official software developers. In case, if your computer is infected by this nasty ransomware infection then you are suggested to remove protomolecule ransomware as early as possible from the infected device.

Text presented in protomolecule ransomware popup window:

Your personal ID
–

Your documents, photos, databases, save games and other important data has been encrypted.
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. Data recovery is required decryptor.
If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail : [email protected] . In a letter to indicate your personal identifier(look at the beginning of this message).
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send to us up to 3 files for free decryption. Please note that files must NOT contain valuable information and their total size must be less than 1Mb.
If you have no Bitcoin
Create a Bitcoin wallet: hxxps://blockchain.info/wallet/#/
Get cryptocurrency Bitcoin:
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins (Visa/MasterCard, Skrill …)
hxxps://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Main_Page
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
(instruction for beginners)

 

Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete protomolecule ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove protomolecule 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 protomolecule ransomware using “System Restore”

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