Remove PPVT Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .ppvt Files)

Ppvt ransomware is a sort of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant actions, that malware also changes some important settings and can even stop your anti-malware program.

Ppvt ransomware – what is it?

Ppvt ransomware can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu ransomware family. That type of malware is targeted at individuals. This feature supposes that Ppvt does not bring any sort of additional viruses, which usually helps virus of various other families to control your system. Because of the fact that most people do not have anything valuable , there is no need to carry additional malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The typical signs of this virus activity is the emersion of .ppvt files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.ppvt, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.ppvt and so on. You cannot to stop this operation, and can’t open that files – they are encrypted with quite strong cipher.

You can also spectate various other signs of ransomware activity. Spontaneously disabled Microsoft Defender and inability to check the popular anti-malware forums or websites, where the virus removal and file decryption guides are posted. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to delete Ppvt ransomware and get the .ppvt files back.

How did Ppvt ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Ppvt virus starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by ransomware maintainers – people who manage the distribution of this ransomware. Another activity which is done by these crooks is answering the email messages of sufferers, who intend to decrypt their files.

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The 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 cipher analysts say, it will take more time than the Earth can estimate to exist, even when you make use of the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted file(s), Ppvt ransomware 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 use some of your documents. The Ppvt ransomware ciphers only the first 150 KB of each file, but the rest of this file can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player can open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each song or video will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the file will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Ppvt ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

Among the networking settings, the most changed item is the HOSTS file. This text file keeps the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the browsers while sending a request to the server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain site, your web browser will connect that website through this DNS next time. Ransomware alters this 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 ransomware are aimed at prevention of early detection of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of anti-malware programs. Ppvt malware makes some changes in Group Policies – the system configuration interface which gives you the right to modify the abilities of each app. In such a way, the virus stops the Microsoft Defender and various other security tools, as well as prevents the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family is active, it was using questionable programs as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious applications I mean software that are already not supported by the developer and distributed through the third-party websites. These apps may be cracked, to make them usable without purchasing any license. One more example of such a program class is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This sort of software may be spread in many methods – through the web page that offers a downloading link, and also through the p2p networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy resources. People use these sources to get a wide range of apps or games for free, even if they must be purchased. No one can stop the users who crack these apps from adding viruses of some type to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw actions, so their creators can easily embed the virus under the guise of some program element.

These hacked apps, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various malware, and surely the most used one for Ppvt virus. It is better to stop using of it, and not only because of malware spreading risks. Avoiding the license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and users who make use of cracked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Ppvt ransomware?

The Ppvt malware is really hard to remove manually. Really, because of the amount of alterations it makes into your computer, it is almost impossible to spot them all and fix. The best decision is to make use of antivirus software. But which one to choose?

You may spectate the offers to make use of Microsoft Defender, which is already inside of your Windows. Nonetheless, as it was mentioned earlier, the majority of STOP/Djvu malware examples disable it even before the encryption procedure. Making use of the third-party tool is the only possible option – and I can recommend you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the Ppvt ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, which is heavily demanded after the Ppvt virus attack.

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

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

How to decrypt the .ppvt files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Ppvt malware attack. First one and the most popular is file decryption. It is performed with a special tool, 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 surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another option to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your disk drives. Since Ppvt virus deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the documents are still stored on the disk drive. 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 a thing unintentionally.

Decrypting the .ppvt 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 .ppvt 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 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