What Is Pandora Zeoticus 2.0 Virus?
Pandora computer virus infection is a new strain of Zeoticus 2.0 ransomware. This dangerous software has the goal to enter your computer system and encrypt files stored on the drives. The main goal of this infection, however, is to extort a ransom payment in BitCoin for a decryption tool possessed by cyber-criminals.
Pandora Zeoticus 2.0 infection uses the AES algorithm to transform the code of all your important files. Then, it appends the .pandora extension to corrupted files’ names. The ransomware also drops the ransom note README.html to help cyber-criminals to extort a payment for a decryption tool.
Read this post for more details about Pandora Zeoticus 2.0 virus infection and see effective methods for its removal. If you want to attempt to recover data with alternative approaches you can find them in the guide below as well.
Pandora Zeoticus 2.0 Summary
| Name | Pandora Virus also known as Win32:MalwareX-gen [Trj], AI:Packer.2A6A2D4D1F, Gen:Heur.Ransom.REntS.Gen.1 (B), Packed.Win32.Krap.b |
| File Extension | .pandora |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The Pandora Zeoticus 2.0 ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .pandora extension to them. |
| Ransom Demanding Note | README.html |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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Pandora Ransomware Virus – More Information
Pandora computer virus is a dangerous software based on the code of another ransomware dubbed Zeoticus 2.0. Similar to its predecessors Young Virus, Zeoticus, 2020END Virus, Pandora ransomware virus can land on your computer via shady techniques like:
- Corrupted sites that promote it as useful software.
- E-mail links or attachments that install it directly on the device.
When included in malicious email campaigns, the Pandora virus files could masqueraded as extremely important documents like:
- Billing.
- Ticket info.
- Financial information.
- Invoices for a purchase.
- Cancelled trip.
Ransomware infections spread via malicious files uploaded on bogus sites tend to be presented as:
- Patches.
- Updates.
- Cracks
- Installers.
- Phony images.
- Fake web browser updates.
Once Pandora Zeoticus 2.0 virus loads malicious files on a computer system, it initiates a long sequence of malicious operations. The goal is to reach the data encryption phase when a scanning process checks all system drives for specific types of files.
The threat will definitely search files that store valuable data of yours. It will surely avoid system folders like %AppData%, %Program Data% and also %Windows%, as any changes to files stored there will prevent the system from running smoothly. In such an event you won’t be able to use the infected system and pay the ransom. That’s why corruption of system files is avoided.
Files that normally end up encrypted by ransomware infections are:
- Audio.
- Documents.
- Image.
- Archive.
- Audio.
- Video.
- Database.
The files, secured by the .pandora Virus infection look like the following:
All modifications applied by the threat leave the information stored by encoded files out of reach. Those files can be recognized by the strange suffix .pandora which is accompanied by an email address used by hackers – anobtaniu[at]tutanota.com. The ransom note of the Pandora infection contains the same email in its message.
The note is called README.html and it contains this message:
—===Zeoticus 2.0===—-
WARNING!
I am truly sorry to inform you that all your important files are crypted.
If you want to recover your encrypted files you need to follow a few steps.
You need to buy bitcoins and send them to the address you receive by mail.
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register,
click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
write to Google how to buy Bitcoin in your country?
in order to guarantee the availability of our key
we can decrypt one file for free
the size of the files <1mb, doc.docx.xlx.xlsx.pdf.jpg.bmp.txt file format other formats will not be free decryption after payment we will send a decryption program Do not try to decrypt your files with programs by the decoder, you will only damage your data and lose them forever. Only we can decrypt your data, write to the original mails specified in this file, otherwise you will become a victim of scammers. anobtanium@tutanota.com
If you are preparing to pay the ransom, please stop this process now. We advise you to backup your data and also wait on the cost-free decryptor for this ransomware to be released. As soon as this is done, you can decrypt your files for free as we will update this article.
Since analysis of this ransomware reveal that it contains the functionality to check for other devices connected to the same network, we recommend its immediate removal. Otherwise, Pandora could spread its malicious files through specific system files and infect more devices.
Remove Pandora Ransomware Virus
The Pandora Zeoticus 2.0 virus infection can be removed with the help of the removal steps beneath this post. They have in been developed with the key purpose to aid you to remove this virus step-by-step from your computer. For maximum effectiveness, its recommended to get rid of Pandora Zeoticus 2.0 infection by using an advanced malware elimination software. It will definitely guarantee that you have the ability to remove the virus files and other malicious objects automatically by scanning for them and erasing them.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
How to Remove Pandora Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Pandora Virus
Step 2: Uninstall Pandora 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 Pandora 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 Pandora 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 Pandora Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Pandora Virus.
Ransomware infections and Pandora 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of Pandora Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Pandora 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 Pandora 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 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Pandora Virus.
Ransomware infections and Pandora 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Pandora Virus FAQ
What is Pandora Virus ransomware and how does it work?
Pandora 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 algorithm how 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.
How does Pandora Virus ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Pandora Virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of Pandora 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 .Pandora Virus files?
You can't. At this point the .Pandora Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Pandora Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Pandora Virus ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Pandora Virus" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Pandora Virus files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Pandora Virus ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Pandora Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Pandora Virus files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Pandora Virus ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to 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.
