A blog post, created to help you remove .purge file ransomware and restore files that have been encrypted with the .purge file extension.
A ransomware virus pretending to be the notorious Purge ransomware, discovered back in August, 2016 has been reported to infect users via multiple methods and encrypt their files after which add the same file extension as the older virus – .purge. The ransomware then drops a completely different ransom note than the original purge in which demands are made to conduct a ransom payoff to the cyber-criminals and successfully recover the encrypted files.
Threat Summary
| Name | Purge |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Pretends to be the original Purge ransomware. Encrypts files and then adds a lock screen which is unlockable. |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted with the .purge file extension and a lockscreen is added, demanding $250 to be paid as a ransom. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Purge. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
How Does Purge Ransomware Spread
In order to infect as many users as it’s resources allow it, the Purge ransomware virus can be present in different forms online. The most widely used method which accounts to over 80% of the ransomware infections out there Is via spammed e-mail messages which have malicious e-mail attachments embedded within them. Such attachments may be actually loaders or other infection type of files that may cause additional damage to the computer of the user.
The content of the e-mails may only pretend to be legitimate. Usually fake e-mail topics are used, like:
- “PayPal Receipt.”
- “Bank Account Has been Suspended.”
- “Invoice.”
- “Delivery Confirmation Notice.”
The messages themselves may contain e-mail attachments which may resemble to be Microsoft Office documents as well as pictures or other types of legitimate files, the user may be tricked into opening. These files may have obfuscation layer of code to hide this Purge ransomware variant from the computer from the user.
New Purge Ransomware Analysis
When the victim opens the infection file on his computer, he immediately becomes infected by this ransomware virus. The infection files are usually located in the system Windows folders, like:
- %Temp%
- %Windows%
- %AppData%
- %Roaming%
- %User’s Profile%
These files may usually contain several different types of names:
- Completely random names (A-Z, a-z, 0-9).
- Names that are the same as legitimate Windows processes.
- Names that pretend to be a program or a game.
After dropping it’s malicious files, Purge Ransomware may modify the registry editor of the infected computer, more specifically target the Run and RunOnce sub-keys, which have the following locations:
→ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
In these Windows registry entries, multiple different registry values with custom data in them are created to run the malicious executables of Purge ransomware on the computer of the victim when Windows starts up.
In addition to this activity, Purge ransomware may also delete the Shadow Volume Copies of the infected computers. This is achievable by running the vssadmin command as an administrator in Windows:
Purge Ransomware Encryption Process
For the file encryption, the virus may use an AES encryption algorithm, the decryption for which may take significant time to crack. The only exception to this is if the virus has it’s master key embedded in it’s code or other flaws and exploits that may allow experts to reverse-engineer it.
In addition to this, the virus may also use a technology known by many as CBC-mode (cipher block chaining). This mode aims to make the encrypted files on your computer Tamper – resistant. As soon as you try to directly decrypt the files, they may break indefinitely, if Purge ransomware uses this mode. And what is worse, there is no way to notify you of this issue.
After the encryption process has completed, similar to other ransomware viruses, Purge adds a ransom note, with the following content:
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED
All your files have been encrypted by Purge Ransomware! but dont worry. i wont delete them.
All you got to do is pay 250 USD to get your files back. after purchase.
type the code in the box and press the Decrypt button. if failed to make purchase.
your files will NOT deleted. but they will be encrypted until purchase. so dont freak.
i am a kind ransomware. i wont delete the files
Thank you
button “I PAID NOW GIVE ME MY FILES BACK”
For the encryption, Purge targets documents, audio files, videos, photos, archives and many file types that are often used. After the encryption process is completed, the ransomware adds the .purge file extension to the files encrypted by it:
Remove Purge Ransomware and Restore Encrypted Files
Before beginning the actual removal process of this ransomware virus, we recommend that you focus on backing your files up, just in case. To do this, you need to unlock the lockscreen of the virus first, by typing “TotallyNotStupid” in the code box. Then, you can proceed into removing this threat preferably by following the instructions in the steps below. Ofcourse, manuall removal will work for you, but since Purge ransomware creates multiple different types of mutexes and interferes with System processes of Windows, it is better to use a ransomware-specific removal tool, experts advise.
If you want to restore your files, we recommend staying away from direct decryption tools. If you have backed up the encrypted files, you should try alternative methods that go around direct decryption, like the ones we have suggested I step “2. Restore Files Encrypted by Purge” below. They are not 100% effective, but are created to help you restore as many files as it is possible via them.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for Purge with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Purge and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Purge on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Purge there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Purge
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Purge.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and Purge aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Purge-FAQ
What is Purge Ransomware?
Purge is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does Purge Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does Purge Infect?
Via several ways.Purge Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of Purge is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open .Purge files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Purge files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Purge files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Purge" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Purge files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of Purge Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate Purge ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Purge files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can Purge Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the Purge Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Purge how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Purge ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.