Remove .PLEX file virus (Restore Encrypted Files)

Descriptive Information About .PLEX file virus

The vicious malware term called .PLEX file virus is technically a newly identified ransomware infection which the researchers call a new strain of Dharma ransomware family. The new variant now comes with enhanced enryption mechanism and use to lock or encrypt all files by appending data with .PLEX extension, following which the fiels turn to be inaccessible. In additon, the ransomware also adds a unique identification number of to those files alike all prior versions of .PLEX file virus. And once the completion of encryption process takes place, it drops a scary ransom note on computer which probably includes details of ransomware, how the victims can contact hackers, and seek help from them in order to perceive file recovery. The term ransomware proabably meant to allow its creators to lock down files on compromised computer, following which the hackers demands the victims to remit a specified ransom fee so as they can make illegal profit. Take a look through ransom note message as .PLEX file virus displays on screen:

All your files have been encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail [email protected]

Write this ID in the title of your message

In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to these e-mails: [email protected]

You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee

Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

How to obtain Bitcoins

The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.

https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins

Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:

http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

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.

Getting through the ransom note, the text file simply states that all files on computer is now encrypted by .PLEX file virus ransomware and can’t be accessed unless they are decrypted using a valid decryption key/tool. But, in order to do so, the users are suggested to contact the devs of .PLEX file virus sooner through provided email addresses. Further, it urges to mention unique identification number, along with 1 small sized encrypted file through email so as the developers can send back further details, and the decrypted copy of sent file. The criminals further mention their demanded ransom fee size and claim that they are the only to restore encrypted files, but the required decryption tool will be provided to users only after the demanded fee is remitted. The hackers even ask the users to send the payment mainly through BTC wallet address, and emphasize to pay the fund as soon as possible before the decryption key is destroyed.

Means, the hackers or criminals who developed the .PLEX file virus, just make you believe that they are the only to make your files accessible once again. But, according to what the security researchers or experts have to say, the victims should never believe such claims, and they should never pay the demanded sum. If a user end up doing so, they will get financially scammed as well as their encrypted files will remain intact because the criminals will never respond back once they receive their demands. Therefore, it’s suggested for victims to learn some possible measures through which this malware and its related issues can be sorted out in easy.

Threat Summary

Name: .PLEX file virus

Type: Ransomware, cryptovirus

Description: .PLEX file virus is said to be a new ransomware identity that messes up with all your files using a powerful encryption algorithm and demands you to remit a specified ransom fee so as your files can be restored back.

Distribution: Spam/junk email attachments, freeware or shareware downloads, visits to malicious websites, and many more.

Removal (File Restore): Check through the guidelines or methods included here either to remove .PLEX file virus and restore your files back.

How .PLEX file virus intrudes on computer and how the issues should be sorted out?

The term .PLEX file virus and other malware infections often distributed over web through a number of possible measures which includes trojans, spam email marketing, fake software updater, unreliable software activation tools, file sharing networks, P2P file sharing, and many more. In all these instances, a user is always presented with a helpful appearing option in prior, but as soon as they opt to interact with such resources, they end up downloading some malicious objects secretly. In specific case of ransowmare, the a trojan technically termed as payload dropper is installed on computer at first, which runs in system background and download ransomware files from remote server, following which the malware execute all its modules.

In order to overcome the issues caused by .PLEX file virus, the victims are never suggested to contact hackers, and pay them with the demands. Alternatively, they should find some possible measures following which the ransomware along with all its files, and processes can be terminated from compromised computer. Once the removal is done, the victims can prevent their machine and data from further encryption, which simply allows them to restore their files using backups and other file recovery methods. For more infromation about removal and file recovery, get through the guidelines.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove .PLEX file virus through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete .PLEX file virus using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove .PLEX file virus 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 .PLEX file virus using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with .PLEX file virus. 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 .PLEX file virus 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 .PLEX file virus 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 .PLEX file virus 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 .PLEX file virus, 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 .PLEX file virus.

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 .PLEX file virus?

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 .PLEX file virus 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 .PLEX file virus 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.