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 Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .paycoin 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. |
.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:
→ 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
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
how to decrypt files encrypted by Jigsaw Ransomware with JigSaw decrypter
Remove .paycoin Files Virus
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.
Gergana Ivanova
Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove .paycoin Files Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .paycoin Files Virus from Mac OS X.
How to Remove .paycoin Files Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .paycoin Files Virus
Step 2: Uninstall .paycoin Files Virus and related software 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 uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .paycoin 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 .paycoin 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: Scan for .paycoin Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): 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 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.
If the above link does not work for you and your region, try the other two links below, that lead to the same product:
Get rid of .paycoin Files Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .paycoin Files Virus and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove .paycoin Files Virus via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove .paycoin Files Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as .paycoin Files Virus, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .paycoin Files Virus on your Mac.
Ransomware for Mac .paycoin Files Virus aims to encode all your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decode, unless you pay money. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files, but only in some cases. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
