Do you know what PSCrypt Ransomware is?
The .pscrypt extension on your private files shows that your computer was infected with a file-encrypting malware called PSCrypt Ransomware. Unfortunately, files with this extension can no longer be used as the malicious program enciphers them. No doubt, the threat’s creators hope to receive money from their victims as they demand them to pay for a unique key and a decryptor. Putting up with the requirements could be a huge mistake since the hackers may not bother to send you what they promised or might try to extort even more money from you. Sadly, the infection’s deletion cannot save enciphered data either. Still, we believe it is the best course of action after receiving such a threat. For this reason, our researchers were asked to prepare a removal guide. You can find it at the end of the report, but before using it, we urge you to read more about this vicious file-encrypting program.
Before we begin discussing the malicious program’s working manner, there are a few important details to mention. Firstly, PSCrypt Ransomware is believed to be targeted at users from Ukraine. The text on the infection’s ransom note is only in the Ukrainian language. There are no translations or at least links to online translators so that users who do not speak this language could understand the note. Therefore, it is entirely possible the threat could be distributed only in this country alone. As for the ways, it may reach its victims; our specialists think the hackers might infect systems through RDP connections. It is not an easy task to guard the computer against such attacks, but there are a few precautions you could take. For example, it would be wise to check if you have any outdated applications that may have vulnerabilities to exploit. Besides, it would be a smart idea to use only strong passwords as it might make it more complicated for anyone to hack into your computer.
Furthermore, our researchers report the malware is only after the user’s private data. It means all other files associated with the computer’s operating system or other programs installed on it should not be encrypted. Nonetheless, PSCrypt Ransomware’s appearance could still cause you a lot of trouble. For instance, if you do not have a backup or copies of at least some enciphered files somewhere safe, the data that was encrypted might be lost forever, although the malicious program’s developers might claim otherwise. However, we advise you not to trust them because their friendly tone could be just an act to convince you to put up with their demands. PSCrypt Ransomware’s creators seek to gain at least 2500 UAH or almost one hundred US dollars from each infected computer’s user. If you believe what they say in the ransom note, the hackers are supposed to send the unique decryption key and a decryptor to each user who pays the ransom and contacts them through systems64x@tutanota.com email address.
Needless to say, if you make the payment, you will not only fund these hackers and allow them to continue to terrorize other users but also risk being scammed. These people do not worry about the user’s data as all they care is getting paid. What we are trying to say is that there is a chance they have no intentions to help you at all, and they could forget about you as soon as they have your money in their hands. This is why we encourage users not to given in under pressure and refuse to pay anything. Despite the fact the damage might be already done, leaving PSCrypt Ransomware on the system could still be dangerous, so it would be safer to erase it. You could eliminate it manually with the instructions located at the end of this paragraph or with a reputable antimalware tool.
Erase PSCrypt Ransomware
- Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
- Click on Task Manager.
- Go to Processes and find a process belonging to the malware.
- Select it and click End Task to kill it.
- Leave the Task Manager.
- Click Windows Key+E.
- Go to the listed locations separately:
Desktop
Temporary Files
Downloads - Find a file that could have been launched before the PC got infected.
- Select this file and press Shift+Delete.
- Locate files called Paxynok.html and remove them while clicking Shift+Delete as well.
- Exit Explorer and restart the computer.
In non-techie terms:
PSCrypt Ransomware is a dangerous malicious program that may ruin most of your files since it may encipher each photo, video, document, or any other file created by the user himself. You can recognize all encrypted files from the .pscrypt extension placed next to the original file’s extension, e.g. document.doc.pscrypt. If you have no intention to put up with the hackers’ demands and risk with your savings while paying a ransom in exchange of a decryptor, the only hope to restore enciphered data are copies on removable media devices or online storages. In fact, sometimes volunteer IT specialists manage to create decryption tools over time, so users get a chance to get their data back free of charge. Thus, even though we urge deleting the malware itself, you can leave encrypted files on the computer in case such a decryptor is ever created.