Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Potato Ransomware and other threats.
Threats such as Potato Ransomware may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
This article will aid you to remove Potato ransomware completely. Follow the ransomware removal instructions given at the end of this article.
Potato is how a ransomware virus is named, including the extension it uses for encrypted files – namely, .potato. Your files will become encrypted and afterward you will see the ransom message on your screen which contains instructions for payment and points to files for further instructions. Read below to check in what ways you could try to restore some of your data.
Threat Summary
Name
Potato Ransomware
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
The ransomware encrypts files on your computer and displays a ransom message after that.
Symptoms
The ransomware will encrypt your files and put the .potato extension on each of those files when encryption completes.
Distribution Method
Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by Potato Ransomware
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.
Potato Ransomware – Distribution Tactics
Potato ransomware could be distributed via different tactics. The payload file that initiates the malicious script for the ransomware that infects your personal computer thrives in the wild.
Potato ransomware might also be distributing that payload file on social media sites and file-sharing networks. Freeware programs found on the Web might be promoted as useful but also could be hiding the malicious script for the cryptovirus. Don’t open files right after you have downloaded them, especially if they come from dubious sources like links and emails. Instead, you should first scan them. Run a security tool and scan them, while also do a check of the size and signatures for each of the files for anything suspicious. You might want to read the ransomware preventing tips thread from the forum section of the site.
Potato Ransomware – Technical Description
Potato ransomware is also a cryptovirus. The ransomware will encrypt files on your computer device while appending the same extension to them when the process completes.
Potato ransomware could make entries in the Windows Registry to achieve persistence. Those registry entries are usually designed in a way that will start the virus automatically with each launch of the Windows Operating System. The following registry entry might be used:
The ransom note will appear right after the encryption process completes. The note states what the demands of the cybercriminals are and points to other instructions for decrypting your files. These files are associated with the ransomware and contained in a folder called POTATO located on your Desktop:
How to recover my files.txt
ID_number.txt
encrypted.txt
decryptor.exe
MSVCR100.dll
You can check out the main ransom message “How to recover my files.txt” here:
That main ransom message reads the following:
YOUR FILES WERE ENCRYPTED using military-grade encryption (AES-256). The encrypted files have the additional extention .potato. You won’t be able to retrieve your data unless you make a payment by following the steps below: 1. Download the TOR browser 2. Access the following adress through TOR Browser for further instructions http://tzakpakp6v5vwqqh.onion/ 3. Enter your ID (see below) and hit “GET KEY” for further instructions NOTICE: There’s a folder on your desktop named POTATO which contains the following files:
ID_number.txt – an unique number that identifies your computer, which is mandatory for the payment process
encrypted.txt – a list of files that were encrypted; if you decide to have them back, DO NOT DELETE IT
decryptor.exe (including MSVCR100.dll) – the program you’ll use for decryption once the payment is made and the decryption key is transmitted to you
This is how the TOR browser page looks like:
The cybercriminals who are behind the Potato virus have put their demands in the ransom note. You should NOT in any circumstance pay the cyber crooks. Your files may not get recovered, and nobody could give you a guarantee for that. Furthermore, giving money to those criminals will likely just financially support them and probably give them the motivation to create more ransomware and do other criminal activities.
Files that get encrypted will receive the same extension appended to each of them, which is .potato. A list with file extensions that the Potato ransomware seeks to encrypt is currently not available. The article will be duly updated if any information regarding that matter comes out.
The Potato cryptovirus is very likely to delete the Shadow Copies from the Windows operating system by utilizing the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
Keep reading to find out what type of ways you can try to restore some of your files.
Remove Potato Ransomware and Restore .potato Files
If your computer got infected with the Potato ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Potato Ransomware and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as Potato Ransomware. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove Potato Ransomware follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Potato Ransomware files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by Potato Ransomware on your PC
Find files created by Potato Ransomware
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
IMPORTANT! Before starting the Automatic Removal below, 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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove Potato Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Potato Ransomware and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Potato Ransomware. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by Potato Ransomware
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Potato Ransomware
Ransomware infections and Potato Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Potato Ransomware and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
