This article provides information about a data locker ransomware dubbed .pain files virus that encrypts important files and demands a ransom payment. By the end of it you will know how to remove the threat and how to restore .pain files.
The ransomware that is known to append the extension .pain to all files it corrupts restricts the access to important data until victims transfer the demanded ransom amount to hackers’ digital wallet. According to the ransom message it displays, victims should contact hackers at pain@cock.lu to receive further details how to pay the ransom and obtain the decryption key.
Threat Summary
| Name | .pain Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A ransomware threat that encrypts important files stored on the infected host and then demands a ransom for thier decryption. |
| Symptoms | Your important files are encoded with strong encryption algorithm. They all have the extension .pain appended at the end of their names. A ransom payment is needed for their decryption. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| 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 .pain Files Virus. |
| 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. |
.pain Files Virus – Update June 2018
.pain Files Virus – Distribution
Distribution process of the executable file that triggers .pain crypto virus infection is likely to be performed with the help of several common methods preferred by hackers. The main one is believed to be email spam campaigns. As such emails could be easily designed to resemble legit ones hackers often choose them as a way of distribution of their malicious code. Such emails may impersonate representatives of well-known companies or even governmental institutions while the text messages may attempt to convince you to download and open a file attached to the email or visit a webpage presented as a link in the text.
If you want to keep your system secure be advised to use a free online file extractor before you open new file on your PC. Tools of this kind scan uploaded files for specific malicious traits. So after the scan, you could see whether the file you uploaded contains malicious components or not. This information could help you to avoid severe malware infections like .pain ransomware.
.pain Files Virus – Overview
This new ransomware dubbed .pain files virus is believed to be new version of Everbe threat that was reported by our team a week ago.
An infection with this ransomware leads to heavily modified system settings and corrupted important data. The attack begins after the ransomware payload is triggered on the system. Such files are likely to be able to create additional malicious files that support the infection process.
Malicious files could be developed to modify essential system settings in order to plague the system and ensure the ransomware a persistent presence on it. Some of them may access the Registry Editor and add some malicious values there. The functionalities of some of the keys in the Registry Editor could be used for the automatic execution of all ransomware files each time the Windows system is started.
At the end of the attack .pain crypto virus displays a ransom note on the PC screen. It is contained in a file named !=How_recovery_files=!.txt and the message it may depicts reads:
Hi !
If you want restore your files write on email – pain@cock.lu
In the subject write – id-*****{CODE}Do not try to recover data, it’s wasting your time.
Every 7 days the price doubles.
It is highly recommendable to avoid any negotiations with them as they could attempt to steal additional sensitive data from you or even infect your system with other malware. Beware that the payment of the ransom doesn’t guarantee the efficient decryption of .pain files. Hackers could only steal your money and invest them into new attack campaigns and malware threats.
.pain Files Virus – Encryption Process
The primary goal of .pain files virus is to utilize strongs cipher algorithm that modifies the original code of predefined files which restricts your access to them. In case of infection it is likely that you will find the following files to be encrypted by this ransomware:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
Once encrypted the files are renamed with the extension .pain that stands at the end of their original names. There is one more extension associated with the same ransomware that could be placed before the extension .pain and it is .[pain@cock.lu] – the contact email left on the ransom note. So encrypted files may look like this one:
![encoded .[pain@cock.lu].pain file sensorstechforum com](https://cdn.sensorstechforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/encoded-.pain@cock.lu_.pain-file-sensorstechforum-com.png)
The information stored in corrupted files remains inaccessible until a working data restore solution is applied to them. At this point, there is no available free decrypter but hopefully, security researchers will release one soon. As soon as this happens we will update the content in this guide to inform you how to obtain and use the decrypter to restore all .pain files. Meanwhile, you could restore some important files with the help of alternative data recovery tools. Keep reading.
Remove .pain Crypto Virus and Restore Files
The removal of the so-called .pain crypto virus demands a bit of technical experience and ability to recognize characteristics of malware files. And there is no doubt that you should remove this nasty threat from the infected PC as soon as you detect it. Below you could find how to do it step by step. Beware that the ransomware is severe and it could plague your whole system. Security researchers recommend the help of advanced anti-malware tool for maximum efficiency. Such tool will keep you protected against devastating threats like .pain crypto virus as well as all other kinds of malware in future.
After you remove the ransomware make sure to check the “Restore Files” step listed in the guide below. But before you take any further actions, don’t forget to back up all encrypted files to an external drive in order to prevent their irreversible loss.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Step 1: Scan for .pain Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .pain Files Virus.
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 .pain Files Virus 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.
.pain Files Virus-FAQ
What is .pain Files Virus Ransomware?
.pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus Infect?
Via several ways..pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus 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 ..pain Files Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..pain Files Virus 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 ..pain Files Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..pain Files Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .pain Files Virus 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 .pain Files Virus 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.
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- Always check "About Us" web page.
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