I wrote this article to help you remove PetrWrap Ransomware. This PetrWrap Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
PetrWrap appears as one of the newest ransomware threats on the malware market. However, even though it was recently discovered, PetrWrap is not as new as it seems. It derives from another ransomware infection – Petya. Do you remember this dreaded infection? Petya had many descendants including Misha, Kostya, !SATANA!, etc. Well, PetrWrap is one of this descendants but, what is important is that it was not developed by the same crooks who created Petya.
PetrWrap is a modified version of Petya that has different authors who have altered its initial code so all made profits end up in their hands. Moreover, there is nothing the original creators can do as the new developers have replaced Petya’s ECDH algorithm with a different one. This allows PetrWrap`s authors to public and private keys outside the RaaS system. This mechanism is called “wrapping” from which the ransomware`s name comes from. This process leaves Petya`s developers helpless against the new incomers. How, as we already discussed the PetrWrap`s origin, let`s get into more technical details.
As a ransomware, PetrWrap doesn’t differentiate a lot when it comes to its way of operating. Unsurprisingly, the pest enters your system in complete silence. How? It relies on the old but gold means of infiltration to dupe you – freeware, spam email attachments, the help of Trojans, corrupted pages, etc. However, there is something else without which the parasite cannot succeed – your carelessness. All infections pray for your haste, distraction, and negligence. If you pay more attention, you have the chance to spot the intruder in time and prevent it from attacking you. If you are careless, on the other hand, it simply goes around you. You are practically helping crooks infect you. Be more vigilant online. Don’t blindly click on every ad/page/link that comes your way. Don’t open emails from people who you don’t personally know. Stay away from shady torrents and illegitimate sources. Remember that you are the only one who can protect your machine and your privacy.
Once in, PetrWrap doesn’t show any originality. It goes after your files immediately. It locates everything you have stored on your PC and locks it with a strong encryption algorithm. This way, it renders all of your files useless. You are no longer able to open/edit/watch/listen to any of them. Also, you probably have some very important information on your machine. Most people do. Maybe something work-related. Well, now, it is also encrypted and inaccessible. This is what ransomware does to accomplish its goal. And its goal is money, of course. But instead of stealing your credit card number, for example, ransomware extorts you instead. It takes something valuable of your and demands money in exchange. Unfortunately, this tactic has made ransomware pieces very effective moneymakers.
So, when all of your files are locked, PetrWrap drops its ransom note. This is a message from the crooks, explaining your situation. Basically, the note says that if you want your files back you have to pay a ransom. It seems pretty simple, doesn’t it? But it is not. It is anything but simple. These crooks promise to send you a decryption tool once you have made the payment. But where are your guarantees? That’s right, you don’t have any. Are you willing to put your trust in hackers? Do you think they will keep their end of the bargain? Don’t be gullible. These cybercriminals only care about getting your money. They may not send you what you paid for at all or send you a tool which doesn’t work. And even if they do send you the right one, you still lose.
The decryptor only removes the encryption, not the infection. This means that PetrWrap remains on your system ready to re-encrypt your files all over again anytime. How many times are you going to pay these people? Not only you are helping them expand and create more malware but you are also exposing your private and financial data to them. It goes without saying that they won`t think twice before using it for their malicious purposes. You cannot win by paying. So, don’t pay. Don’t encourage these hackers to continue extorting innocent victims. Don’t give them a cent of your money. Instead, use our removal guide below. It will help you get rid of PetrWrap for good after which you can safely recover your locked data.
PetrWrap Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, PetrWrap Ransomware deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.
- Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
- Install ShadowExplorer
- Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
- Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
- Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
- Right-click on the encrypted file
- Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file
Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore
- Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
- Click “Next“
- Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
- Click “Next“
- Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
- Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.
Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since PetrWrap Ransomware first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:
