Remove PPHL ransomware [Data Recovery Solution]

How to delete PPHL ransomware permanently from PC

PPHL ransomware is a Cryptovirus and a new variant of Dharma ransomware family. It operates by encrypting stored data and makes them totally inaccessible. This dubious malware was discovered by malware intelligence analyst Marcelo Rivero. The encryption is based on unique ID generated for each victim. This means, the hacker behind the threat manage to connect command and control server by online connection.

The PPHL ransomware encrypts file by using proper encryption algorithms that makes developers to change original code and locking a file. Once is done, each file will receive .PPHL extension and become unusable. Immediately, a file in text format with titled FILES ENCRYPTED.txt is displayed on the screen and dropped on each folder containing encrypted files. This file is designed by cyber crooks to instruct victim what they should do the next.

The created ransom demanding message contains Bitcoin address link and contact details. The short message on file states that victims should contact the ransomware developers via the provided email address and purchase decryption key from them. Once contacted, they ask you to pay money in form of Bitcoin or other digital cryptocurrency. In order to gain the trust, the crooks offer free decryption of 1 encrypted file which should be less than 1MB in size.

Furthermore, the ransom note instructions ends with warning which says that users should not the change the name of encrypted file or try to decrypt them by using third party software otherwise the price of decryption tool will be doubled as well as also result  into permanent data loss. Thus, you are advised not to make the payment. This is because people behind the threat are not trustworthy. The ultimate aim of ransom note is to create panic.

Text presented in PPHL ransomware’s pop-up:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED
Don’t worry,you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID –
If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:[email protected]
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.

Tips to recover files from PPHL ransomware:

• First of all victim should not send money to the hackers at any situation.
• Try to delete all encrypted files and delete PPHL ransomware completely from the PC.
• Scan the device deeply with reputable antivirus program such as Spyhunter.
• After that, recover files from backup or other data recovery software.

How PPHL ransomware gets inside the PC?

The major causes for the installation of PPHL ransomware are bundling methods, spam email attachments, updating system software, clicking on malicious links, visiting commercial websites and by using many more tricks. Among all these methods, spam email attachments are the effective ones. Hackers behind this try to trick users to download and install malware by sending those infectious files that contain malicious attachments such as PDF documents, exe files, archive files and so on by pretending t as legit and important. Once done, infection initiated. So, you are advised not to open such types of infectious files that look irrelevant or especially come from unknown addresses.

Remove PPHL ransomware

Manual malware removal threat might be lengthy and complicated as it requires lots of time to detect and delete this nasty threat. So, we suggest our users to use some reliable antivirus removal tool such as Spyhunter that has the ability to remove PPHL ransomware easily and effectively from the computer. Despite this, some more removal instructions have been discussed below to perform malware removal process.

Short summary

Name: PPHL ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Cryptovirus, Files locker

Extension used: .PPHL

Ransom demanding message: Text presented in the pop-up and FILES ENCRYPTED.txt  

Description: It infects your system, encrypt all important files and demand money to restore your data.

Symptoms: File encryption, screen lock, show ransom note. You cannot access any files on your PC and you will find ransom note asking for money.

Distribution: infected email attachments, torrent websites, freeware installations, bundled packages, pirated or cracked software, illegal patches and other dubious methods.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be opened without paying a ransom. Additional password-stealing Trojans can be installed together with a ransomware infection.

Removal: To remove malware infections, you are advised to go through given below removal instructions or use reliable anti-malware removal tool such as Spyhunter.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete PPHL ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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