Pedro Ransomware

Pedro Ransomware is one of the STOP Ransomware versions that were created recently. The malware encrypts personal victims’ files the same as the variants created before it. Next, the malware ought to display a ransom note that claims a user has to pay 490 US dollars to get decryption tools. The sum is already with a 50 percent discount, and it is still a lot, which is why we do not recommend paying it if you do not want to risk losing such a sum in vain. It could happen despite what the malware’s developers may say. To get to know the threat better, we encourage you to read our full report. At the end of it, we discuss the removal of the malicious application too. If you wish to delete Pedro Ransomware manually, you should also take a look at the instructions available below the article. If you happen to have more questions about the threat, feel free to leave us a message in the comments.

Before we discuss the malware’s working manner, we should talk about its possible distribution channels. Our researchers believe that Pedro Ransomware should be spread in the same ways as were the other threats from the STOP Ransomware family. For instance, it could be sent to targeted victims via Spam emails that might carry malicious attachments or links. This is why you need to examine all messages received via email if they come from unknown senders, are considered to be Spam, or raise even the slightest suspicion. First of all, we advise checking the sender’s email address. It is crucial to make sure that it is legit and trustworthy. Then users should take a closer look at the message and search for clues, such as grammatical mistakes or sense of urgency that could suggest it might be from hackers. In case your received email looks suspicious, you should not interact with links it contains or open data it comes with. Also, you could employ a reliable antimalware tool that you should use to scan questionable files.

If Pedro Ransomware appears on a system, it should locate targeted files and start encrypting them with a robust encryption algorithm. The threat seems to be targeting personal data, such as text or other documents, pictures, video/audio files, and so on. All of the affected files should keep their original titles. However, the malware ought to append a particular second extension to every file. The second extension is called .pedro. For example, a text file called .document.docx would become document.docx.pedro after being encrypted. The next thing the malicious application is supposed to do is create a file called _readme.txt in multiple locations (most likely directories containing encrypted data). Inside of these documents you should find a ransom note. It explains that all encrypted files can be restored with a decryption tool and a unique decryption key. What’s more, the note claims a user needs to contact Pedro Ransomware’s developers and pay the ransom within 72 hours or else he will have to pay a full price, which is 980 US dollars.

Needless to say, we do not recommend rushing into anything. The hackers may say they can decrypt a file for free or that they guarantee you will get the promised decryption tools, but, in reality, there are no reassurances. That is because you are forced to pay first and then hope the malware’s developers will hold onto their promise. If such terms do not sound right and you do not want to risk losing your money in addition to your files, we advise not to put up with Pedro Ransomware’s developers’ demands.

There is one other way that you could restore your data with. If you have backup copies located somewhere safe you could replace encrypted files with them. Of course, before transferring any files to the infected device, you should delete Pedro Ransomware first. Experienced users could try to erase it manually by completing the instructions available below this paragraph. As for users who find this task a bit too challenging, we advise employing a reputable antimalware tool that could remove Pedro Ransomware for them.

Remove Pedro Ransomware

1. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Choose Task Manager and select Processes.
3. Find a process belonging to the threat.
4. Mark it and click End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Click Win+E.
7. Find these paths:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
8. Find the malicious application’s launcher (suspicious file downloaded before your computer got infected).
9. Right-click it and select Delete.
10. Locate and erase all files called _readme.txt.
11. Check this location: C:\SystemID
12. Find a file named PersonalID.txt and remove it too.
13. Exit File Explorer.
14. Empty Recycle Bin.
15. Restart the computer.