This article has been created to help you remove Pendor ransomware infection from your computer system and restore files encrypted with the added .pnr file extension.
The beginning of September 2017 has brought multiple new ransomware viruses on the block. One such virus is Pendor ransomware. It’s end goal is to encrypt the files on your computer after it has infected it and then demand from you to pay a hefty ransom fee in order to access them again. The virus uses the AES encryption for the files which makes them no longer able to be opened and after encryption, adds the .pnr file extension. If you have been infected by Pendor ransomware, we advise you to read this article thoroughly.
Threat Summary
| Name | Pendor |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Aims to encrypt the files on your computer and then demand a hefty ransom “fee” to decrypt them and make them work again. |
| Symptoms | Attacks the most often used files, they become no longer openable and appends the .pnr file extension. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Pendor. |
| 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. |
Pendor Ransomware – Distribution Methods
In order for this ransomware virus to be spread, the creators of it have used the same strategy as with most ransomware infections out there – malicious e-mail spam. Such spam messages are often sent to unsuspecting victims and their primary purpose is to trick them to open the objects attached to the e-mails. These are usually:
- Archives (.zip, .rar) that contain malicious files used for the infection.
- Malicious documents that are used to infect a user PC via macros.
- Malicious web links which cause drive-by downloads and hence infect.
The infection objects that spread Pendor ransomware are usually accompanied by convincing statement that the attachments or web links are important invoices, bank statements or other such documents.
Pendor Ransomware – More Information
As soon as one becomes infected by this virus, it immediately runs malicious processes in a hidden manner. This results in the virus extracting or downloading it’s files on your computer. They are generally located in the following Windows folders:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Temp%
- %Roaming%
After the Pendor ransomware drops it’s malicious files, it may also modify the Windows registry editor of the infected computer system. It may use it to modify different actions that the computer performs automatically, like change the wallpaper, force restart the computer and primarily to make it so that it runs automatically on system start. To do this, Pendor ransomware may modify the Run and RunOnce registry sub-keys, adding value strings with data in them that point to the actual location of the file-encryption file on the infected PC. The malicious entries are located in the following sub-keys:
• 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 activity, the Pendor virus may also delete the backups on your computer by using the vssadmin and bcedit commands in Windows Command Prompt without you noticing it:
After the virus has done this, it may also drop it’s distinctive ransom note which looks like the following:
The ransom note leads the user to a TOR-based web page which is anonymous and the victim can pay the ransom there in BitCoin. This is an untraceable method often used by cyber-criminals.
Pendor Virus – Encryption Process
For this virus to succeed in encrypting the files and make it very difficult to decrypt them directly, it uses the AES encryption algorithm which translates to Advanced Encryption Standard. This cipher aims to generate a unique decryption key which is asymmetric. This key is known to the cyber-criminals only, making them the sole possessors of your files. They demand $50 in BTC (BitCoin) to be paid to them to give you a crafted decryption software.
The files which are attacked by the Pendor ransomware infection are multiple. The malware primarily targets often used types of files, such as:
- Documents.
- Pictures.
- Music.
- Videos.
- Audio files.
- Often used file types (.pdf, .vmd, etc.).
- Other.
Once it has already encrypted the files, Pendor ransomware adds it’s unique file extension to them, making them look like the following:
Pendor Virus – How to Remove and Decrypt Files
The first thing you should do after experiencing an infection by this ransomware virus is to backup all the .pnr encrypted files on a flash drive or somewhere else and create copies of them. After doing so, you can proceed with the removal of this virus. To remove Pendor, you can go ahead and follow the removal instructions down below. They are crafted so that you have the options to remove the virus files and objects manually or automatically. Malware researchers often suggest to use a ransomware-specific removal tool In order to automatically remove all the objects created by Pendor on your computer and secure it against future threats as well.
In order to reverse as much of the damage done by Pendor ransomware as possible, you should try the alternative methods for file recovery below, located in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Pendor”. They are not 100% guarantee you will be able to recover all your data, but aim to help you restore as many files as possible without having to pay the ransom to the cyber-criminals.
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 Pendor with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Pendor 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 Pendor 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 Pendor 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 Pendor
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Pendor.
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 Pendor 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.
Pendor-FAQ
What is Pendor Ransomware?
Pendor 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 Pendor 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 Pendor Infect?
Via several ways.Pendor 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 Pendor 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 .Pendor files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Pendor 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 .Pendor files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Pendor" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Pendor 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 Pendor 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 Pendor ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Pendor 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 Pendor 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 Pendor Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Pendor 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 Pendor 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.