Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Note! Your computer might be affected by .paycoin Files Virus and other threats.
Threats such as .paycoin Files Virus may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
In this article, you will find more information about .paycoin files virus as well as a step-by-step guide on how to remove malicious files from an infected system and how to potentially recover files encrypted by this ransomware.
The so-called .paycoin files virus has been identified as an iteration of Jigsaw ransomware. The main purpose of the threat is to encode valuable files so it can extort a ransom payment. For the purpose, it is designed to compromise computer systems and transform the code of target files with the help of a sophisticated cipher algorithm. Its name is a derivative of the distinctive extension it appends to each encrypted file – .paycoin. Upon encryption, all corrupted files remain inaccessible until the use of an efficient data recovery tool.
Threat Summary
Name
.paycoin Files Virus
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
A data locker ransomware that utilizes strong cihper algorithm to encrypt valuable files stored on the infected computer and then demands a ransom for their decryption.
Symptoms
Important files are locked and renamed with .paycoin extension. Ransom message appears as desktop wallpaper.
Distribution Method
Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by .paycoin Files Virus
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.
.paycoin Files Virus – Distribution
For the delivery of .paycoin files virus payload cybercriminals are likely to utilize techniques such as email spam campaigns, software cracks, fake software update notifications, freeware with compromised installers and malicious web links.
All these techniques aim to trick you into executing the malicious ransomware payload on your device without noticing its presence. The main spread channel is considered to be malspam as it is a convenient way for hackers to reach a large number of online users with several massive attack campaigns. Campaigns of this kind usually attempt to mislead you that an email you received is sent by a representative of a legitimate company or governmental institution. The traits of such emails are file attachments, clickable hyperlinks or buttons and limited time for interaction with the provided information.
With the help of malicious scripts embedded in the code of various web pages the ransomware infection code may be triggered automatically after a visit of one of these pages. As of the URLs of such pages they may be spread across all popular social media channels, various forums, and websites for free programs.
.paycoin Files Virus – Overview
Infection with the so-called .paycoin files virus begins when its activation file is started on the system. The purpose of this file is to initiate various malicious activities that compromise essential components and their settings. Since it may not be enough for the completion of the attack, the ransomware could create or drop additional malicious files.
As their locations, .paycoin could choose some of the following system folders:
%AppData%
%Local%
%LocalLow%
%Roaming%
%Temp%
Once the threat establishes all needed files, it starts executing them in a predefined order. By doing this, .paycoin files virus effectively manipulates system functionalities and eventually evades detection.
Analyses of .paycoin reveal that it is configured to manipulate the functionalities of some registry keys stored by the Registry Editor. These keys are Run and RunOnce and their directories are:
The reason why .paycoin ransomware plagues these two registry keys is their ability to auto-execute all processes listed under them. So by adding its malicious values under these keys,.paycoin infection files load along with all essential files that support the sooth system performance every next time you start the infected operating system.
In addition, .paycoin files virus is likely to change your preferred desktop wallpaper to the image presented below:
This image helps hackers present you the following quote:
She was like that cut on the roof of your mouth that would go away if you’d stop tonguing it, but you can’t.
And when the ransomware completes all infection stages, it drops a file that contains a ransom message. With this message, hackers attempt to trick you into transferring them a ransom fee in cryptocurrency for data decryption. Beware that this action does not guarantee the recovery of .paycoin files so you should better avoid it.
.paycoin Files Virus – Encryption Process
The data encryption stage is the main one. For it .paycoin crypto virus utilizes a built-in cipher module which is set to transform parts of the original code of target files with the help of AES algorithm. Following the occurance of these changes you cannot access data stored by corrupted files and they are all marked with the specific extension .paycoin. Like previous iterations this Jigsaw variant may be set to locate and encrypt all of the following types of files:
Audio files
Video files
Document files
Image files
Backup files
Banking credentials, etc
The good news is that security researchers have managed to crack the code of Jigsaw ransomware and released a free decryption tool. So after you delete all malicious files you can check our article on
When JigSaw ransomware was initially detected, it locked the screen of infected users? computers displaying a countdown timer. The ransomware scans for and encrypts over 120 types of files on the compromised computers it has infected. Users were left with...Read more
The so-called .paycoin files virus is a threat with highly complex code designed to corrupt both system settings and valuable data. So the only way to use your infected system in a secure manner again is to remove all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. For the purpose, you could use our removal guide that reveals how to clean and secure your system step by step. In addition, in the guide, you will find several alternative data recovery approaches that may be helpful in attempting to restore files encrypted by Jigsaw .paycoin ransomware. We remind you to back up all encrypted files to an external drive before the recovery process.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by .paycoin Files Virus and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as .paycoin Files Virus. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove .paycoin Files Virus follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .paycoin Files Virus files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by .paycoin Files Virus on your PC
Find files created by .paycoin Files Virus
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
IMPORTANT! Before starting the Automatic Removal below, 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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove .paycoin Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .paycoin Files Virus and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove .paycoin Files Virus. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by .paycoin Files Virus
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .paycoin Files Virus
Ransomware infections and .paycoin Files Virus aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .paycoin Files Virus and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
