This post is made to help you understand what are .promorad2 file ransomware and show you ways via which you can try to remove it from your computer.
An updated variant of the .promorad file extension ransomware has been released, carrying the .promorad2 file extension. The ransomware aims to encrypt the files on the computers that have been infected by it and then adds the .promorad2 file suffix to them. After encryption, files can no longer be used and victims are asked to pay ransom to the cyber-criminals in order to get their files to work once again. If your computer was recently infected by .promorad2 file extension ransomware, we strongly suggest that you read this article as it contains more information on the virus and shows you how to remove it and try to get your files back.
Threat Summary
| Name | .promorad2 Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | It’s main goal is to encrypt the files on the compromised computers by it and then ask victims to pay ransom in order to retrieve them. |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted and have the .promorad2 file extension added. A ransom note file is dropped, called _readme.txt and it demands victims to pay hefty ransom to get the files to work again. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| 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 .promorad2 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. |
.promorad2 Files Virus – Update 2019
There has been some development regarding the .promorad2 threat. The virus has been officially declared to be a part of the STOP/DJVU’s latest family of viruses. So far, this family of viruses has been detected to spread each variant at an even higher infection rate, suggesting that the cyber-criminals behind STOP ransomware are improving the way they operate. So far, the following variants, concerning STOP ransomware have been detected:
Researchers have broken the old variants of STOP/DJVU and they are now decryptable. However, the newer versions of the virus still return no decryption keys to be added.
The virus variants of .promorad2 ransomware virus are still active and researchers believe that this virus is purchased on the dark net markets and is allegedly a RaaS (ransomware as a service). The main idea behind this strategy is for the actual developers of STOP Ransomware. We will keep monitoring STOP ransomware and further update if a decryptor is released, but for now it is stronlgy reccomended not to pay any ransom to the cyber-criminals and to make a backup image of Windows or back your files up via other means to wait for a decryptor to be released.
.promorad2 Files Virus – Distribution
The infection with the .promorad2 file ransomware could be conducted in several different ways. One of them is to spread the infection file by sending out e-mails that contain the malicious files and objects disguised as legitimate type of files. These files often resemble the following documents:
- Reports for closed accounts.
- Banking documents.
- Invoices for a purchase.
- Receipt for a purchase.
- Notification letters for a refund.
- Documents for cancelled order.
Besides via e-mail, the ransomware may also be spread by having the malicious files uploaded on suspicious sites. There, the files may look as if they are what the user is seeking to download, for example:
- Fake setups of programs.
- Fake versions of portable software..
- Patches.
- Cracks.
- Updates.
- Key generators.
.promorad2 Ransomware – Activity Report
The .promorad2 ransomware virus is the type of infection, which drops its payload on your computer once it infects it. The payload may be created in the following Windows directories:
%AppData%
%Local%
%LocalLow%
%Roaming%
%Temp%
Once the virus files of .promorad2 ransomware are dropped on the infected computer, this variant of STOP ransomware also drops its ransom note file, called “_readme.txt”.
The _readme.txt ransom note’s content:
———————————————- ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED ———————————————–
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files documents, photos, databases and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees do we give to you?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information
Don’t try to use third-party decrypt tools because it will destroy your files.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours.
—————————————————————————————————————————
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
blower@firemail.cc
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
blower@firemail.cc
Your personal ID:
[redacted 43 alphanumeric chars]
The .promorad2 file ransomware is the type of virus that is one of many ransomware variants that exist out there. Other variants of the STOP ransomware family have been detected to be using the following extensions:
The .promorad2 file ransomware is involved in many malicious activities, among which may be to modify the Windows Registry Editor. To do this, the .promorad2 ransomware may add registry values in the following registry sub-keys of Windows:
→ 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
The .promorad2 files virus may also delete the shadow copies on the computers that have been infected by it, preferably by executing several commands as an administrator in Windows Command Prompt:
→ sc stop VVS
sc stop wscsvc
sc stop WinDefend
sc stop wuauserv
sc stop BITS
sc stop ERSvc
sc stop WerSvc
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe” /C vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
.promorad2 Ransomware – Encryption
The .promorad2 files virus aims to encrypt files on the machines infected by it, with the main goal to target only files that are used very often. Such files are:
- Documents.
- Videos.
- Images.
- Archives.
- Virtual Drive files.
- Audio files.
- Other files, belonging to often-used programs.
The encryption process of .promorad2 file ransomware is used to replace blocks of data from the original files with data from the encryption cipher used by the virus, which is usually one of the following encryption algorithms:
- AES.
- RSA.
- ECB.
- Salsa20.
Once the .promorad2 file ransomware encrypts the files on the computers that have been infected by it, the virus may also lock them down, using a so-called CBC-mode, also known as Cipher-Block-Chaining. This mode effectively makes sure that the virus files of .promorad2 ransomware are encrypted beyond saving and are linked to one another so that if the victim tries to manually change the extension or decrypt them, the chain may break and the files will be lost forever.
The files, encrypted by .promorad2 file ransomware are usually encrypted with the .promorad2 file extension appended to them, making them appear like the following:
Remove .promorad2 Files Virus and Try Restoring Data
To make sure that .promorad2 file ransomware is fully erased, we recommend you to do a fresh backup of your files beforehand.
Then, to remove .prmorad2 ransomware, we strongly suggest that you follow the removal steps down below. They have been made to help you delete this variant of STOP ransomware either by yourself or automatically, which can also save you some time. If manual removal (first two steps), does not seem to help you out, we do recommend what most cyber-sec experts would advise – to use an advanced anti-malware software. Such program aims to scan your computer for any malicious files and folders and then automatically take care of the threat for you, plus protect your computer against future threats as well.
If you want to try and get your files back, we do recommend that you give the alternative file recovery methods underneath a try. They may not come with a 100% guarantee to work, but with their aid, you might be able to restore at least some of your encrypted files.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for .promorad2 Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .promorad2 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 .promorad2 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 .promorad2 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 .promorad2 Ransomware
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .promorad2 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 .promorad2 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.
.promorad2 Ransomware-FAQ
What is .promorad2 Ransomware Ransomware?
.promorad2 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 .promorad2 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 .promorad2 Ransomware Infect?
Via several ways..promorad2 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 .promorad2 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 ..promorad2 Ransomware files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..promorad2 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 ..promorad2 Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..promorad2 Ransomware" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..promorad2 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 .promorad2 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 .promorad2 Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..promorad2 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 .promorad2 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 .promorad2 Ransomware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .promorad2 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 .promorad2 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.
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.
como puede haber gente tan malintencionada… tengo la informacion de casi 2años de trabajo alli y ahora estan cifrados por este virus… no se que hacer