Remove PPVS Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .ppvs Files)

Ppvs virus is a sort of computer virus that infiltrates your PC, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant actions, that virus also alters some important settings and can even stop your anti-malware program.

Ppvs malware – what is it?

Ppvs virus can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That sort of virus is targeted at single users. This feature supposes that Ppvs does not bring any type of additional malware, which sometimes helps virus of other families to take control of your PC. Because of the fact that most people do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no reason to download additional malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

The usual signs of Ppvs virus activity is the appearance of .ppvs files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.ppvs, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.ppvs and so on. You are not able to stop this operation, and can’t open that documents – they are ciphered with quite strong algorithm.

You can also spectate different other signs of ransomware activity. Suddenly stopped Microsoft Defender and inability to check the well-known anti-malware forums or web pages, where the malware removal and decryption guides are published. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to wipe out Ppvs virus and get the .ppvs files back.

How did Ppvs ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Ppvs virus establishes a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by malware maintainers – fraudsters who manage the spreading of this virus. Another activity which is done by those crooks is answering the email messages of sufferers, who wish to get their files back.

The documents are ciphered with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The “256” digit in the name of this algorithms means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is unreal to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than our planet can approximately exist, even in case if you use the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted documents, Ppvs 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

Nonetheless, you can still use some of your files. The Ppvs malware encrypts only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this file can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player is capable of open these files – WinAmp is the best choice, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each recording will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the file will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Ppvs ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was mentioned several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Ppvs malware makes the changes in your computer in order to prevent searching the malware removal and file decryption guides. Malware does not create the software barrier – it just alters the system 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 configurations, which are used by the browsers while requesting to the server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain web page, your browser will connect that website through this DNS next time. Ransomware alters that file, adding the unknown DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other changes done by the virus are aimed at prevention of fast spotting of itself, and also disabling the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Ppvs ransomware implements several changes in Group Policies – the system setting interface which gives you the right to alter the rights of each program. In such a way, ransomware disables the Microsoft Defender and different other anti-malware apps, 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 questionable applications as the main method of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable software I mean software that are already not controlled by the creator and distributed through the third-party websites. These apps may be hacked, to make them usable without purchasing any license. One more example of such a program type is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This kind of programs may be distributed in different methods – through the website that offers a downloading link, and also through the peering networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy resources. Folks use these pages to get various apps or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. Nobody can prevent the users who hack these programs from adding malware of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw actions, so their creators can easily add the virus under the guise of some program element.

These hacked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various malware, and surely the most widespread one for Ppvs ransomware. The best solution is to stop using of it, and not only because of malware spreading risks. Avoiding the license buying is an outlaw action, and both hackers and persons who make use of hacked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Ppvs virus?

The Ppvs ransomware is pretty hard to wipe out manually. Really, because of the number of modifications it makes into your system, it is almost unreal to find them all and repair. The best decision is to use anti-malware programs. But which one to choose?

You may read the offers to make use of Microsoft Defender, that is already inside of your system. Nonetheless, as it was mentioned before, the majority of STOP/Djvu virus examples block it even before the ciphering process. Using the third-party application is the only option – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for this case. It has perfect detection abilities, so the virus will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, which is heavily needed after the Ppvs virus attack.

To remove Ppvs 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 Ppvs ransomware is active, it will not pass any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .ppvs files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Ppvs ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special program, designed by Emsisoft, and called Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is 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 disk drives. Since Ppvs virus deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the files are still stored on the disk. After the deletion, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk. Special tools, 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 some files unintentionally.

Decrypting the .ppvs 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 .ppvs files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. It checks each disk sector for the residues of deleted files, and then attempts 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