This article has been created to help you by showing how to remove PayDay ransomware and how to restore files encrypted with .[keyforyou@tuta.io].-id-{uniqueID}.payday extension.
A new iteration of BTCWare ransomware has been reported to wreak havoc, encrypting victims’ files. The malware aims to encrypt the files on your computer if it infects it and add the file extension .payday after their original one. Only then, the .payday files virus drops a ransom note which demands victims to contact keyforyou@tuta.io in order to get their keys. In the event that your computer has been infected by the .payday ransomware virus, it is strongly advisable to read this article and learn how to remove the PayDay ransomware infection and try to restore your files without having to pay a ransom “fee” to the cyber-crimianals who encrypted your data.
Threat Summary
| Name | PayDay BTCWare Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Aims to encrypt the files on your computer system after which demands to contact the cyber-criminals via e-mailt o negotiate a ransom payoff for the files. |
| Symptoms | The files on the computer become no longer able to be opened and have the .payday file extension. A ransom note, named !! RETURN FILES !!.txt appears on the victim’s computer. |
| 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
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss PayDay BTCWare 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. |
PayDay Ransomware – Update January 2018
The ransomware has a new variant or more like – a new extension, namely .Wallet. For now it is unknown if this so called .Wallet Files Virus is trying to imitate the Dharma ransomware which used that same extension in the past. Whatever the case, both ransomware threats are working and will encrypt your files if your computer gets infected with any of them. The new email address for contacting the cybercriminals behind the BTCWare virus variants is now arkana@tuta.io. Stay sharp as the malware continues to emerge continuously with new versions, extensions and spam email campaigns.
How Does PayDay Ransomware Spread
In order to be replicated onto the computers of victims, PayDay ransomware aims to use different types of software to remain unnoticed. One of those is malware obfuscation which conceals the virus infection file from protection software. The malicious files, spreading PayDay ransomware on your computer may exist in different forms as e-mail attachments on spammed e-mail messages sent to victims. Such spammed e-mails may contain deceitful messages embedded within them whose end goal is to convince victims to open the attachments on them, for example:
In addition to this, other methods of infection with PayDay ransomware may also be using the malicious file as a fake setup, game patch, license activator.
PayDay Ransomware – More Information
As soon as infection with PayDay ransomware takes place, the virus acts in the same way as other BTCWare ransomware variants, meaning that it drops multiple different malicious files on your computer which may be located in some of the following Windows directories:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
Among the dropped files is the ransomware’s note file, named as !! RETURN FILES !!.txt and It has the following message to victims:
all your files have been encrypted
want return files?
write on email: keyforyou@tuta.io
In addition to dropping the ransom note, the .payday files ransomware may also obtain administrative permissions. They are used to add values strings in Windows Registry Editor with custom data in them. The primarily targeted registry entries are reported to be as follows:
→ 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 addition to this, PayDay ransomware also deletes the shadow volume copies on your computer by executing commands as an administrator in the Windows Command prompt. The commands are as follows:
→ process call create “cmd.exe /c
vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no
bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
PayDay Ransomware – Encryption
The encryption process of PayDay ransomware is performed using the AES encryption algorithm aslo known as Advanced Encryption Standard. The files which PayDay ransomware attacks may have the following file extensions:
→ .1c, .3fr, .accdb, .ai, .arw, .bac, .bay, .bmp, .cdr, .cer, .cfg, .config, .cr2, .crt, .crw, .css, .csv, .db, .dbf, .dcr, .der, .dng, .doc, .docm, .docx, .dwg, .dxf, .dxg, .eps, .erf, .gif, .htm, .html, .indd, .iso, .jpe, .jpeg, .jpg, .kdc, .lnk, .mdb, .mdf, .mef, .mk, .mp3, .mp4, .mrw, .nef, .nrw, .odb, .ode, .odm, .odp, .ods, .odt, .orf, .p12, .p7b, .p7c, .pdd, .pdf, .pef, .pem, .pfx, .php, .png, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .psd, .pst, .ptx, .r3d, .rar, .raw, .rtf, .rw2, .rwl, .sql, .sr2, .srf, .srw, .tif, .wb2, .wma, .wpd, .wps, .x3f, .xlk, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .zip
After encryption, the files assume the .payday file extension and may look like the following:
Remove PayDay Virus and Restore .payday Encrypted Files
In order to remove this infection from your computer, it is strongly advisable to follow the instructions for removal below. They are divided in manual and automatic removal manuals. For maximum effectiveness, security experts always recommend to remove ransomware viruses, like PayDay automatically using a ransomware-specific removal software.
If you want to restore files that have been encrypted by this ransomware virus on your computer, it is strongly recommended to try the methods from step “2. Restore files encrypted by PayDay ransomware”. They are specifically designed to help you recover as many files as possible without paying the ransom money for direct decryption, which is not guaranteed.
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 PayDay BTCWare Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare 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.
PayDay BTCWare Virus-FAQ
What is PayDay BTCWare Virus Ransomware?
PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare Virus Infect?
Via several ways.PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare 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 .PayDay BTCWare Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .PayDay BTCWare 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 .PayDay BTCWare Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".PayDay BTCWare Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PayDay BTCWare 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 PayDay BTCWare 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.
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.
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