Remove PwndLocker ransomware and recover encrypted files

Method to eliminate PwndLocker ransomware

PwndLocker ransomware is identified as dangerous file encrypting malware that targets all your stored data such as photos, videos, documents and others. It has been developed by hackers with intention to target big business networks and local governments. Once manages to get inside, it uses AES and RSA ciphers to encrypt your vital data and makes inaccessible permanently. Every time you try to access any of your data, it show ransom message on computer screen and demands for big ransom amount to be paid to get decryption key to unlock your files. PwndLocker ransomware locks your desktop screen and keeps showing false alert messages and notification. It is capable append .key and .pwnd extensions to encrypted files. For sample, if you have file on your computer name abc.jpeg, after encryption it name changes and become abc.jpeg.key or abc.jpeg.pwnd. It is capable to lock your desktop screen and keep showing false alert messages and notification.

Additionally, it drops ransom note on your computer with name H0w_T0_Rec0very_Files.txt. It carries information to contact hackers through emails and get decryption key to unlock your files. It also disables many of Windows services like MySQL, Oracle, Exchange, Acronis, Zoolz, Internet Information Server and many more. It has ability to permanently delete shadow volume copies without your any authorization. You are asked to pay big ransom amount of 60 Bitcoins. In ransom message, you can see instruction to pay extortion money through Tor-Browser. You are asked to download Tor and login with given ID and password. You can also contact via email at [email protected], if you are finding difficulty through Tor browser. PwndLocker ransomware claims that decryption key is only available for 1 month on server of hackers. The amount currently demanded will be double in two weeks.

According to cyber experts trusting hackers and paying ransom amount is not the solution for you. It is trap that has been build to fool innocent users and make money online. The complete payment of ransom money is also not going to help you recover your encrypted files. It messes up itself with important system files and adds corrupt entries to registry editor. It also changes desktop background and other personalization settings without having your any permission or knowledge. It has ability to disable control panel, task manager, registry editor and other vital settings. It blocks all running process and active application on compromised PC. If this nasty threat stays on targeted computer for long time, you have to encounter with problems such as deletion of important system files, hamper of vital hardware components and others. To fix all such issues, it is suggested to take immediate steps to remove PwndLocker ransomware and its other related files.

The worst part of this threat is it places keystrokes and keyloggers on targeted computer and run secretly in background to monitor your browsing movement and gather information such as banking login information, credit card number, password of social sites, etc. All such collected information is automatically transported to remote server of hackers. For complete removal of this malware, it is advised to try for Spyhunter security tool. It uses advance mechanism to search for all infected items. If you find any doubtful file during scanning, it is advised to eliminate soon.

Ransom message you face due to PwndLocker ransomware:

Your network have been penetrated and encrypted with a strong algorythm
Backups were either removed or encrypted
No one can help you to recover the network except us
Do not share this link or email. Otherwise, we will have to delete the decryption keys

To get your files back you have to pay the decryption fee in BTC.
The price depends on the network size, number of employess and annual revenue.

Download TOR-Browser: hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/
Login ax3spapdymip4jpy.onion using your ID –
or
contact our support by email [email protected]
You’ll receive instructions inside.
You should get in contact with us within 2 days after you noticed the encryption to have a good discount.

The decryption key will be stored for 1 month.
The price will be increased by 100% in two weeks
We also have gathered your sensitive data.
We would share it in case you refuse to pay

Do not rename or move encrypted files
Decryption using third party software is impossible.
Attempts to self-decrypting files will result in the loss of your data.

Threat Assessment of PwndLocker ransomware

• Category: Ransomware
• Level of Danger: high
• Affected OS: All Windows versions
• Symptoms: All your stored files get encrypted and you are not able to perform normal tasks, it blocks current active process, locks your desktop background, alters personalization settings without having your any permission
• Entry method: Targets your computer through spam or junk email attachments, shareware or freeware downloads, visiting adult websites, updating installed application from unknown links, bundling methods and others
• Removal Process: Try for Spyhunter security tool, it helps you search for all infected items. During scanning, if you find any suspicious threat, it is suggested to eliminate soon

Entry method technique used by PwndLocker ransomware

Like other ransomware viruses, it uses same tricks and tactics to target your computer. It mainly infects your PC through spam or junk email attachments, shareware or freeware downloads, use of infected storage device, visiting adult websites, etc. The emails coming from unknown source and have attachment in form of PDF, word or script causes such troubles. When you open such emails and download its attachment, it adds malicious codes that root deep inside your computer and cause plenty of annoying troubles. Such emails hold attractive titles such as urgent, important, official and others to convince users to open such emails and download its attached file.  Most of security application finds difficult to detect and eliminate this malware completely. You are advised not to trust any claims by PwndLocker ransomware and take instant initiative for its removal.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete PwndLocker ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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