How to remove Punisher ransomware and recover files

Complete tips to delete Punisher ransomware and decrypt data

Punisher ransomware is a ransomware-type infection that is designed to encrypt stored files and change their filenames –in order to demand payment for the decryption. However, the Punisher does not modify the filenames of the encrypted files. Following to the encryption process, the ransomware displays a pop-up window as its ransom note.

The text within the pop-up window states that the victims’ files have been encrypted. It warns users not to close the pop-up window and/or shutdown the device as this will result into crippling of the operating system. Additionally, the message alerts the users not to attempt to guess the decryption key since this would totally a waste of time. To receive the right decryption key, the victims are asked to transfer a sum of 200 USD to the Bitcoin wallet address belongs to the crooks. Within the pop-up window, there is a time that counts down the time remaining for the successful data restoration and a filed into which the decryption passwords should have to be entered.

Here is the full text presented on the Punisher ransomware’s pop-up window:

RANSOMWARE – THE PUNISHER

All of your files have been infected.

– Don’t try to turn this off, it’s infeasible.

– Don’t try to turn off your computer, your computer will be a mess afterward

– Don’t try to brute force the password, it will be just a waste of your life.

Send 200$ worth of bitcoins to:

1FNuqQpSxpdYoqus2cFPSqFSz8qQikxVNm

Infected files: –

Time left: –

Enter the valid password to decrypt:

[Decrypt]

Unfortunately, in most of the cases with ransomware infection, without the involvement of the crooks behind the ransomware – 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 recommended against paying the ransom. Despite paying, victims often do not receive the decryption tool. Hence, they suffer financial loss and their files remain encrypted.

The best way to deal with this case is to remove Punisher ransomware and recover encrypted files using existing backups. Removing malware will prevent it from further files encryption. However, this process will not decrypt already encrypted files. Existing backups will be the option for you the then to restore the encrypted files. If, however, no such backup option is available, you should look for other alternatives in the form of Shadow Copies and data recovery tools – check data recovery section below the post for the respective stepwise guide.

How did Punisher ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often disguised as or bundled with regular software and then distributed via dubious download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders. Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are the prime examples of that. Cracking tools cause system infection by supposedly bypassing activation keys of paid software. Fake software updaters infect systems by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software or by direct downloading malware instead of the promised updates.

Scam campaigns can be used to spread malware. These terms are defined as large scale operations to send spam emails by thousands. These letters are usually presented as official, urgent, priority and similar. These emails contain infectious files or links for such files as attachments, if clicked –the malware PDF and Microsoft Office documents, archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), JavaScript, and so ondownload / installation process is jumpstarted. Examples of the files that the crooks usually use to deliver malware are

How to prevent ransomware intrusion?

It is recommended to use only official websites and direct links for any software download. Furthermore, all software products should have to be activated and updated with tools/ functions by legit developers. To avoid the system infection through spam emails, it is advised against opening any suspicious/ irrelevant emails –especially the presented attachments or website links in them. It is crucial to keep OS and all installed apps updated. Use software reputable antivirus tool for achieving this goal. The software will also do the job of detection and removal of any threats/ issues.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Punisher ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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