Remove PTRZ Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .ptrz Files)

Ptrz ransomware is a sort of computer virus that infiltrates your system, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant actions, that malware also modifies some important settings and can even disable your antivirus program.

Ptrz ransomware – what is it?

Ptrz ransomware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That sort of computer virus is targeted at single users. This specification supposes that Ptrz does not carry any type of additional viruses, which usually helps ransomware of various other families to control your PC. Since the majority users do not have anything valuable , there is no need to use additional malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The typical signs of this ransomware activity is the appearance of .ptrz files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.ptrz, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.ptrz and so on. You are not able to suspend this process, as well as can’t open that documents – they are ciphered with pretty strong cipher.

You can also see different other signs of ransomware activity. Spontaneously disabled Microsoft Defender and inability to check the well-known anti-malware forums or websites, where the ransomware removal and file decryption guides are posted. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to remove Ptrz ransomware and get the .ptrz files back.

How did Ptrz ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Ptrz ransomware starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by virus maintainers – crooks who manage the spreading of this malware. Another activity which is conducted by those crooks is answering the email messages of victims, who wish to decrypt their files.

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The “256” digit in the name of this algo means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption keys variations – it is unreal to brute force it. As analysts say, it will take more time than our planet can approximately exist, even when you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that keeps the encrypted file(s), Ptrz virus creates the _readme.txt file with the following contents:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees you have?

You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku

Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.

Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.

Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:

support@fishmail.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nevertheless, you can still run some of your files. The Ptrz malware encrypts only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this file can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every recording will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Ptrz ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was mentioned several paragraphs above, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Ptrz malware makes the changes in your computer in order to prevent searching the ransomware removal and file decryption guides. Ptrz virus does not create the software barrier – it just changes the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Among the networking settings, the most damaged item is the HOSTS configuration file. This text file keeps the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the web browsers while requesting to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain site, your browser will connect that site through this DNS next time. Ransomware modifies this file, adding the unknown DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other modifications done by the virus are aimed at prevention of fast spotting of itself, and also disabling the installation of the majority of security tools. Ptrz virus implements some alterations in Group Policies – the system setting interface which allows to change the abilities of each app. In such a way, malware disables the Microsoft Defender and various other security programs, as well as blocks the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family is active, it was using dubious software as a primary way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious software I mean apps that are already not updated by the maintainer and spread through the file sharing websites. These programs may be hacked, to make them possible to use without buying any license. One more example of such a program class is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This sort of software may be distributed in different ways – through the web page that offers a downloading link, or through the seeding networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the most popular computer piracy sites. Folks use these sources to get various programs or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. Nobody can stop the users who hack these programs from adding malware of some sort to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw purposes, so their developers can easily add the ransomware under the guise of some program element.

These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and 100% the most popular one for Ptrz virus. It is better to stop making use of it, and not only because of virus spreading risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an illegal action, and both hackers and persons who use hacked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Ptrz ransomware?

The Ptrz ransomware is pretty hard to wipe out manually. In fact, because of the number of alterations it makes into your Windows, it is almost unreal to find them all and repair. The best option is to make use of anti-malware programs. But which one to choose?

You may see the advices to use Microsoft Defender, that is already in your system. But as it was mentioned before, most of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples disable it even before the ciphering procedure. Using the third-party program is the only possible option – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily demanded after the Ptrz virus attack.

To remove Ptrz malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Malware removal is required to prevent the repeating ciphering of your files: while Ptrz ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .ptrz files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Ptrz ransomware attack. First one and the most popular is file decryption. It is conducted with a special app, designed by Emsisoft, and called Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is absolutely free. Analysts update its decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will definitely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another way to get your files back is to try to recover them from your disks. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the documents are still kept on the disk. After the deletion, the information about them is removed from the file system, but not from a disk drive. Special programs, like PhotoRec, are able to recover these files. It is free, too, and may also be used for file recovery in case when you have deleted something unintentionally.

Decrypting the .ptrz files with Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu

Download and install Emsisoft Decrypter tool. Agree with its EULA and continue to the interface.

The interface of this program is extremely easy. All you have to do is to select the folder where the encrypted files are stored, and wait. If the program has the decryption key which corresponds to your ransomware case – it will decrypt it.

During the use of Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu, you may observe various error messages. Don’t worry, that does not mean that you did something wrong or a program does not work properly. Each of these errors refer to a specific case. Here is the explanation:

Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]

The program does not have a corresponding key for your case. You need to wait for some time until the key database will be updated.

No key for new variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible.

This error means that your files are encrypted with an online key. In such a case, the decryption key is unique and stored on the remote server, controlled by crooks. Unfortunately, the decryption is impossible.

Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]

This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

Ransomware uses the offline key to encrypt your files. This key is not unique, so you likely have it in common with another victim. Since offline keys must be collected, too, it is important to keep calm and wait until the analysts team finds one which will fit your case.

Remote name could not be resolved

This error indicates that the program has problems with DNS on your computer. That’s a clear sign of malicious alterations in your HOSTS file. Reset it using the official Microsoft guide.

Recovering the .ptrz files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the remains of deleted files, and then tries to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different formats. Because of the described feature of ransomware encryption mechanism, it is possible to use this tool to get the original, unencrypted files back.

Download PhotoRec from the official website. It is absolutely free, however, its developer warns that he does not guarantee that this program will be 100% effective for file recovery purposes. Moreover, even paid apps can barely give you such a guarantee, because of the chain of random factors that can make the file recovery harder.

Unzip the downloaded archive to the folder you like. Don’t worry because of its name – TestDisk – this is the name of the utility developed by the same company. They decided to spread it together since PhotoRec and TestDisk are often used together. Among the unzipped files, search for qphotorec_win.exe file. Run this executable file.

Before you can start the recovery process, you need to specify several settings. In the drop-down list, choose the logic disk where the files were stored before the encryption.

Then, you need to specify the file formats you need to recover. It may be difficult to scroll all 400+ formats, luckily, they are sorted by alphabetical order.

Finally, name the folder you want to use as a container for recovered files. The program will likely dig out a lot of useless files, which were deleted intentionally, so desktop is a bad solution. The best option is to use the USB-drive.

After these easy manipulations, you may just press the “Search” button (it turns active if you specified all required parameters). The recovery process may take several hours, so keep patient. It is recommended not to use the computer during this term, since you may overwrite some files you are intending to recover.

Frequently Asked Questions