The Jigsaw ransomware makes its appearance yet again. This time, it is called Payms. The crypto-virus encrypts more than 120 file extensions like previous variants, adding a .payms extension or a variation of it. Unfortunately, the Jigsaw ransomware is sold on the Dark Web for less money than what is asked for a ransom payment per victim. To know how to restore your files and remove this ransomware, variant you should read the article carefully.
Threat Summary
| Name | Payms Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files by adding a .payms extension and asks a ransom for decryption. |
| Symptoms | Files with more than 120 various extensions are encrypted. Every hour files get erased if the ransom is not paid. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Payms Ransomware. |
| 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. |
Payms Ransomware – Distribution
Payms ransomware can distribute via a couple of ways. Your computer could get infected with the crypto-virus through spam e-mails which have an attachment with malicious code inside them. If the attachment is opened, malware might be injected inside your computer system. The file possibly has a name such as firefox.exe or something similar, so to try and trick you.
Past variants of the presently named Payms ransomware were delivered through social media sites and some file-share system, too. DropBox could still be a way of distribution as the original variant of the ransomware used that as well. Avoiding all suspicious files, links, and websites is a highly recommended action as there you might find malware such as this one.
Payms Ransomware – Technical Description
The Payms crypto-virus is classified as ransomware. All of your files will be encrypted and become unusable. The malware demands BitCoins as the payment method for the ransom. If you do not meet certain criteria, your files will get deleted on an hourly basis, and the ransom price will increase. No real theme is used for this ransomware (as past variants used themes), but just plain text.
In the directories %AppData% and %LocalAppData% files may be created to assist the ransomware with its operations.
The Windows Registry may undergo modifications as well. The following registry value is added respectively:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\[random name].exe %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\[directory to that exe]
The registry value set in the Registry will automatically load a specific executable, related to the ransomware. Every start of the Windows Operating System will load the file which executes the Payms ransomware.
The next action of the ransomware will be to show a lock screen which is solely text with payment instructions.
Here is how the lock screen looks like:
The ransomware demands a payment of 150 US dollars, within the first 24 hours, paid in BitCoins. If you do not pay, the ransomware will delete some of your files with each hour that passes and the ransom price will increase to 225 US dollars. There is no information about the sum getting bigger after that.
The message which is shown with the lock screen is:
Your files are encrypted you must pay $150 USD ($225 USD after 24 hrs) in Bitcoins to unlock them. Send Bitcoins to the address specified. If you need help, you can talk to us via the chat page. There is a file on your desktop named Payment_Instructions with the same information.
Sus archivos estan encriptados tiene que pagar $ 150 USD ($ 225 USD despues de 24 horas) en Bitcoins para desbloquearlos. Envia los Bitcoins a la direccion indicada. Si necesita ayuda puede hablar con nosotros a traves de la pagina de chat. Hay un archivo en el escritorio llamado Payment_Instructions con la misma informacion.
Visit the chat / Visita el chat: https://783629.6te(.)net
COMPUTER IS LOCKED. IF YOU TRY TO TAMPER WITH THIS PROGRAM ALL YOUR FILES WILL BE DELETED.
COMPUTADORA ESTA BLOQUEADA. SI INTENTA MANIULAR ESTE PROGRAMA TODOS LOS ARCHIVOS SERAN ELIMINADOS.
Instructions:
1. Go to www.LocalBitcoins(.)com, Register and purchase Bitcoins.
2. Copy the Bitcoins address on the left and send the coins to that address from your localbitcoins profile.
3. Click below that you paid.
4. Our system will recognize the payment and unblock all your files instantly and delete itself.
=======================================================================
Instrucciones:
1. Ir a www.LocalBitcoins(.)com, registrar y comprar bitcoins.
2. Copie la direccion de Bitcoins en la izquierda y enviar las monedas a esa direccion desde su perfil en localbitcoins.
3. Haga clic que ha pagado.
4. Nuestro sistema reconocera el pago, desbloqueara todos los archivos al instante y se borrara el mismo.
If you go to the chat page (currently redirecting to other pages) you will see part of the payment instructions there as well:
Paying the ransom asked by the Payms ransomware is highly unadvised. You cannot receive any guarantee from anyone that you will get your files back and that they will work properly as before. Giving money to the cyber criminals will support them to make other crimes or improve the ransomware. Be aware, that at the end of the article you can find restoration methods described. A decryptor is also present thanks to the malware researcher Michael Gillespie.
The Payms ransomware searches for files to encrypt them on all kinds of storage devices – HDDs, SSDs, internal and external. This variant will also search for files with more than 120 extensions. The file list is the following:
→ .3dm, .3g2, .3gp, .aaf, .accdb, .aep, .aepx, .aet, .ai, .aif, .as, .as3, .asf, .asp, .asx, .avi, .bmp, .c, .class, .cpp, .cs, .csv, .jpeg, .jpg, .js, .rtf, .sdf, .ses, .sldm, .sldx, .sql, .svg, .swf, .tif, .txt, .vcf, .vob, .wav, .wma, .wmv, .wpd, .wps, .xla, .xlam, .m3u, .m3u8, .m4u, .max, .mdb, .mid, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpa, .mpeg, .mpg, .msg, .pdb, .pdf, .php, .plb, .pmd, .png, .pot, .potm, .potx, .ppam, .ppj, .pps, .ppsm, .ppsx, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .prel, .prproj, .ps, .psd, .py, .ra, .raw, .rb, .xll, .xlm, .xls, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltm, .xltx, .xlw, .xml, .xqx, .xqx, .dat, .db, .dbf, .doc, .docb, .docm, .docx, .dot, .dotm, .dotx, .dwg, .dxf, .efx, .eps, .fla, .flv, .gif, .h, .idml, .iff, .indb, .indd, .indl, .indt, .inx, .jar, .java
The AES algorithm keeps being the one used for the encryption process of this variant of the Jigsaw ransomware. The ransomware sets .payms as the extension of all encrypted files. The .paymst and .pays extensions could be used for encryption in other versions. If you restart your PC, there is a chance that you can lose about 1,000 of your encrypted files.
The core of the ransomware is still the same. Thus the solution to restore your files is still available. In case you have restarted your computer after being infected and lost some of your files – don’t worry. Data Recovery software can aid you to recover some of the files.
Remove Payms Ransomware and Restore .payms, .pays, .paymst Files
If Payms ransomware infected your system, do not be worried, because a solution is available to decrypt your files for free. If you got infected by this ransomware, you should have a little experience in removing viruses. Check the instructions written down below to see how you can recover your files.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for Payms Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Payms Ransomware.
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 Payms Ransomware 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.
Payms Ransomware-FAQ
What is Payms Ransomware Ransomware?
Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware Infect?
Via several ways.Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware 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 .Payms Ransomware files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Payms Ransomware 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 .Payms Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Payms Ransomware" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Payms Ransomware 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 Payms Ransomware 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.
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