This article explains the issues that occur in case of infection with Paradise (.xyz) ransomware and provides a complete guide on how to remove malicious files and how to potentially recover files encrypted by this ransomware.
Security researchers reported that new strain of Paradise ransomware family has been detected in the wild. It is associated with the extension .xyz. In case this ransomware manages to run its infection files on your system, it will transform the code of some important files of yours and mark them with the extension .xyz. Then it will display you a ransom note to blackmail you into paying a ransom fee to hackers.
Threat Summary
| Name | Paradise |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A data locker ransomware that encrypts valuable files stored on the infected computer and demands a ransom for their decryption. |
| Symptoms | The access to important files is restricted and they are all renamed with .xyz extension. A ransom message appears on screen to extort a rasnom payment. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Infected Installers |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Paradise. |
| 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. |
Paradise Ransomware – Distribution
At this point there is no information about the channels used for the distribution of this Paradise ransomware variant. However, we presume that hackers bet on some of the most popular techniques. Common techniques are considered to be:
- Emails that deliver malicious code also known as malspam. They usually contain attached files of common types that according to the text message are important documents, invoices, delivery requests, etc. Once opened on the device these files activate the attack. Another malicious element that is often presented in these emails is a URL address. A visit of such a web page leads to the activation of the malicious code again.
- Third party software installers
- Fake software updates
- Compromised online advertising campaigns
- Torrent sites for downloads
- Social media channels
Paradise Ransomware – Overview
Security researchers reported that new strain of Paradise ransomware family has been detected in the wild. It is associated with the extension .xyz. This threat is designed to corrupt valuable files so that then hackers could extort a ransom payment for a decryption tool.
Before Paradise ransomware could utilize its built-in encryption module and corrupt target files, it needs to plague some essential system settings that will enable it to evade detection and complete all infection stages. For the purpose, it establishes several malicious files on the system and starts executing them in a predefined order.
The last stage of the attack is marked by the appearance of a ransom message on the screen:
All your files have been encrypted contact us via the e-mail listed below.
e-mail: admin@prt-decrypt.xyz or e-mail: admin@prt-decrypt.xyzParadise Ransomware team.
In addition, the image you see below could replace your desktop wallpaper:
This message is stored in a file called Instructions with your files.txt. Its purpose is to force you into contacting hackers for more details on ransom payment. However, since there is no guarantee that you will be able to restore .xyz files with the help of hackers’ decryption tool, we advise you to avoid paying them the ransom before you could attempt to restore them with the help of alternative data recovery tools.
Paradise Ransomware – Encryption Process
As an iteration of Paradise ransomware, this threat is likely to follow the same encryption pattern as its predecessors. This means that your files could be encrypted with the help of the sophisticated RSA cipher algorithm. This algorithm transforms parts of the original code of target files and leaves them inaccessible.
As of the files that are likely to be corrupted by Paradise .xyz ransomware, they could be all of the following:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
To mark corrupted files, this Paradise ransomware version uses the following pattern:
- _%ID%_{admin@prt-decrypt.xyz}.xyz
For example if you have an image file named trip.jpg it will be renamed to trip.jpg_%ID%_{admin@prt-decrypt.xyz}.xyz
Other extensions that indicate for an infection with Paradise ransomware are
.VACv2, .paradise and .CORP
Remove Paradise Ransomware and Restore .xyz Files
Paradise ransomware associated with .xyz extension is a threat with highly complex code that plagues not only your files but your whole system. So you should properly clean and secure your infected system before you could use it regularly again. Below you could find a step-by-step removal guide that may be helpful in attempting to remove this ransomware. Choose the manual removal approach if you have previous experience with malware files. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps select the automatic section from the guide. Steps there enable you to check the infected system for ransomware files and remove them with a few mouse clicks.
In order to keep your system safe from ransomware and other types of malware in future, you should consider the installation of a reliable anti-malware program. As an additional security layer that could prevent the occurrence of ransomware attacks you could install an
anti-ransomware tool.
If you want to understand how to potentially fix encrypted files with the help of alternative data recovery approaches, make sure to read carefully all details mentioned in the step “Restore files”. We remind you that before you begin with the data recovery process, you should back up all encrypted files to an external drive as this will help you to prevent their irreversible loss.
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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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 Paradise from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Paradise
Step 2: Uninstall Paradise 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 Paradise 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 Paradise 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 Paradise with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Paradise.
Ransomware infections and Paradise 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 Paradise from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Paradise 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 Paradise 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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, 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 Paradise on your Mac.
Ransomware for Mac Paradise 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.
Paradise FAQ
What is Paradise ransomware and how does it work?
Paradise 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 Paradise ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Paradise 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 Paradise 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 .Paradise files?
You can't. At this point the .Paradise 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 .Paradise files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Paradise 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 ".Paradise" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Paradise 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 Paradise 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 Paradise ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Paradise files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Paradise 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.
