Periox Ransomware
A ransomware program named Periox has been detected by security researchers. They have reported that the threat is currently lurking in the wild. The malicious files that trigger this infection on computer systems may pretend to be email attachments, URLs to offers, software cracks, freeware installers, etc.
Once started on a PC, the Periox virus seeks suitable ways to evade detection and corrupt important system settings. After the virus corrupts the system security, it performs a data encryption process. This process locks valuable personal files with the strong cipher algorithm AES-256. As a result, they remain and renamed with the extension .periox. The ransomware then tries to extort a ransom payment from victims. For this purpose, it drops a ransom message (help.html) on infected PCs.
Paying $500 in Bitcoin cryptocurrency to hackers is highly inadvisable. We advise you to avoid following hackers’ instructions and try to remove malicious files from the infected PC with the guide that follows.
Periox Virus Summary
Name | Periox also known as Win64:Malware-gen, Trojan.GenericKD.45748939 (B), Trojan.Win32.TorJok.me, Program:Win32/Wacapew.C!ml |
Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
Ransom Note | help.html |
Short Description | Severe malware that is designed to encrypt valualbe files stored on compromised computers so that it can then extort ransom fee from victims. |
Symptoms | Files are encrypted and their named are changed to randomly generated characters followed by the malicious extension .periox Ransom message extorts a payment for files recovery. |
Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by Malware Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Periox Virus. |
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. |
.periox Virus – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
This cryptovirus infects PCs by the activation of only one file on the system. Don’t expect that this file will be presented to you as malicious though. Instead, you will see it as an email attachment, a link to a hot offer, a software crack, a software update notification, or an ad on the net.
Ransomware are Trojans that plague various system settings in order to misuse system functionalities, remain unnoticed and corrupt personal files stored on the drives.
The bad news is that all changes will still cause a damaging impact on the overall system security as long as there are malicious files on the system. The good news is that complete removal of the Periox virus will restore PC security and enable you to use your machine in a regular way.
Unfortunately, the ransomware will encode specific types of files that are commonly used for the storage of important information. Their code will be transformed with the AES cipher algorithm. As .periox files may appear all of the following types of files:
- Audio files.
- Video files.
- Document files.
- Image files.
- Backup files.
- Banking credentials, etc.
Next, the threat drops its ransom note. The ransom message is stored by a file named help.html. A copy of its content reads:
YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED USING A
STRONG AES-256 ALGORITHM.YOUR IDENTIFICATION IS
–
SEND $500 BTC TO THE FOLLOWING WALLET
bc1qak6gagktuwqhaue5q2fyfv8x3dg93a60627s9zAND AFTER PAY CONTACT supportperiox@ywtpdnpwihbyuvck.onion
SENDING YOUR IDENTIFICATION TO RECOVER
THE KEY NECESSARY TO DECRYPT YOUR FILES
Fraudsters hope that you will rush into buying Bitcoins and sending them to their wallet. No matter what they promise to do, beware that they are cybercriminals and can continue acting like ones. We believe that there is no guarantee that hackers will answer victims’ emails once they receive the requested ransom.
For the sake of your security, you should better remove Periox ransomware from the infected PC right now and back up all .periox files to an external drive. Safe copies of encoded files may serve you for a free decryption process once security researchers manage to release an efficient tool. Meanwhile, you may want to consider the help of alternative data restoration methods. And if so, you could find some of them in the removal guide that follows.
Remove Periox Ransomware and Attempt to Restore Data
The so-called Periox ransomware is a threat with highly complex code that heavily damages both essential system settings and valuable data. So the only way to use your infected system securely again is to remove all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. For this purpose, you could follow our step-by-step removal guide.
In the event that you want to attempt to restore .periox files with the help of alternative data recovery methods, do check the step – Try to Restore files encrypted by Periox Ransomware. We remind you to back up all encrypted files to an external drive before you begin with the recovery process.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for Periox Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Periox Virus 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:
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Periox 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 Periox Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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 Periox Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Periox Virus.
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 Periox 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 the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Periox Virus-FAQ
What is Periox Virus Ransomware?
Periox 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 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 Periox Virus 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 Periox Virus Infect?
Via several ways.Periox Virus 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 Periox 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 .Periox Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Periox Virus 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 .Periox Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Periox Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Periox Virus 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 Periox Virus 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 Periox Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Periox Virus 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 Periox Virus 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 Periox Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Periox Virus 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 Periox Virus 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.
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.
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- Always check "About Us" web page.
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