Threat Finder

Threat Finder is a computer infection that is extremely dangerous and irritating. Even though Threat Finder cannot download more malware, that you would need to remove, or hijack your personal accounts, this clandestine threat is annoying because it can encrypt your personal files. Once the attack is in full swing, the infection presents a notification indicating that the files will be decrypted only if you pay a certain sum of money. Do you want to learn how to remove Threat Finder and how to restore your personal files? If you do, read this report and check the removal guide.

The devious Threat Finder is no better than ZeroLocker, CTB-Locker, or other infamous ransomware threats that can encrypt personal files. Note that the mentioned infections also require removal, and they could attack your computer as soon as you delete Threat Finder itself. These malicious threats can be distributed using various drive-by download and social engineering scams, but it is most likely that you will encounter Threat Finder after opening a corrupted spam email attachment. Once executed, the infection will encrypt your personal files, which means that you will not be able to open them unless you obtain the so-called private key. Here are a few extracts from the Threat Finder notification.

Warning! Your personal files are encrypted!
Don’t switch off your computer and/or internet, otherwise your key will be disabled
Your important files encryption produced on this computer: photos, videos, documents, etc. Here is a complete list of encrypted files, and you can personally verify this.

To obtain the private key for this computer, which will automatically decrypt files, you need to pay 300 USD / 300 EUR / similar amount in another currency.

The intimidating notification is followed by a disclaimer indicating that if you try to remove or damage Threat Finder, the private key will be destroyed, meaning that you will not be able to restore your own files, and there will be nothing left to do but remove them. Obviously, this is not a big deal if you have created backups for your personal photos, videos, documents, and other files. However, if your only copies are encrypted, you might be tempted to pay the $300 ransom. Even though it is terrible to have your personal files removed, we warn you that there are no guarantees that the payment will work. In the worst case scenario, your money will be gone together with your files.

Our malware researchers warn that there isn’t much to do once Threat Finder corrupts your operating system. If you are willing to take the risk, you will pay the requested ransom, but first we recommend using alternative decryption software that might be able to help you restore files for free. Regardless of the outcome regarding your files, you need to delete Threat Finder from your operating system, and we have prepared a guide that will help you install automatic malware removal software. Use this software to remove Threat Finder components.

Threat Finder Removal

Remove from Windows XP

1. Restart the PC and wait for the BIOS screen to load.
2. Immediately start tapping F8 to access the Windows Advanced Options Menu.
3. Using arrow keys on your keyboard choose Safe Mode with Networking and tap Enter.
4. Click Yes on the Windows is running in safe mode notification.
5. Launch the browser and visit http://www.pcthreat.com/download-sph .
6. Download the automatic malware detection and removal tool SpyHunter.
7. Install the application, run a system scan, and delete the detected threats.

Remove from Windows Vista or Windows 7

1. Restart the PC and wait for the BIOS screen to load.
2. Immediately start tapping F8 to access the Advanced Boot Options menu.
3. Using arrow keys on your keyboard choose Safe Mode with Networking and tap Enter.
4. Go to http://www.pcthreat.com/download-sph and download a malware remover.
5. Use the application to scan the computer and delete all existing threats.

Remove from Windows 8 or Windows 8.1

1. Click the Power Options button at the top of the Metro UI start screen.
2. Press and hold the Shift key and then click Restart to open the Troubleshoot menu.
3. Select Advanced options and choose Windows Startup Settings.
4. Reboot your PC in Safe Mode with Networking by selecting the F5 option.
5. Download a reliable security tool from http://www.pcthreat.com/download-sph .
6. Delete all computer infections using the tool.