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.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Payms Ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Payms Ransomware on Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Payms Ransomware in Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Payms Ransomware from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Payms Ransomware from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Payms Ransomware from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Payms Ransomware from Internet Explorer.
- Guide 8: Disable Payms Ransomware Push Notifications in Your Browsers.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
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, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Payms Ransomware?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Payms Ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1.Browser Redirect – What Is It?
2.Adware Is Malicious, and It Uses Advanced Techniques to Infect
3.The Thin Red Line Between Potentially Unwanted Programs and Malware
4.The Pay-Per-Install Affiliate Business – Making Millions out of Adware
5.Malicious Firefox Extensions Installed by 455,000 Users Blocked Updates
How to Remove Payms Ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Payms Ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall Payms Ransomware 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 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:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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 Payms Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. 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.
Video Removal Guide for Payms Ransomware (Windows).
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Get rid of Payms Ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Payms Ransomware 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3.In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Payms Ransomware:
4.Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5.In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Payms Ransomware. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Payms Ransomware. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 Payms Ransomware 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:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Payms Ransomware. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 Payms Ransomware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Payms Ransomware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Payms Ransomware (Mac)
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove Payms Ransomware from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2:Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Erase Payms Ransomware from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Uninstall Payms Ransomware from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove Payms Ransomware from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Payms Ransomware will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Eliminate Payms Ransomware from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications caused by Payms Ransomware from Your Browsers.
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Payms Ransomware FAQ
What is Payms Ransomware?
The Payms Ransomware threat is adware or browser redirect virus. It may slow your computer down siginficantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What are the symptoms of Payms Ransomware?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and has poor performance in general.
Symtpom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts reccomend that you check your computer for viruses.
What types of Unwanted Programs are there?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware.
- Browser hijackers.
- Clickers.
- Fake optimizers.
What to do if I have a "virus" like Payms Ransomware?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most adware or unwanted program threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them from your browser and computer. One reccomended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you. There are many anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter is one of the reccomended anti-malware apps, that can scan your computer for free and detect any viruses, tracking cookies and unwanted adware apps and eliminate them quickly. This saves time when compared to doing the removal manually.
How to secure my passwords and other data from Payms Ransomware?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our website, where you can also ask any questions and comment underneath the articles about your computer problems. We will try to respond as fast as possible.
