Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Pendor and other threats.
Threats such as Pendor 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
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
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.
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:
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.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Pendor 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 Pendor. 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 Pendor follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Pendor 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 Pendor on your PC
Find files created by Pendor
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 Pendor with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Pendor and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Pendor. 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 Pendor
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Pendor
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 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:
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
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.
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 Pendor and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
