Pysa Ransomware

Pysa Ransomware belongs to the Mespinoza Ransomware family. Just like other threats from this family, the malware encrypts data that could be irreplaceable to victims and then shows messages asking to contact the malicious application’s developers. Sadly, we do not think that merely contacting the hackers will be enough for them to decrypt a victim’s data. Usually, cybercriminals ask to pay a ransom first and promise to send decryption tools after they get their money. There is no way to tell if they mean to hold on to their promise, so if you do not want to gamble with your money, we advise against putting up with the cybercriminals' demands. Of course, if you are not ready to make a decision yet, we encourage you to read our article first and get to know Pysa Ransomware better. Have in mind that if you need manual deletion instructions, we provide them at the end of this report.

Judging from the ransom note that Pysa Ransomware leaves after it encrypts a user’s files, it seems like its targeted victims could be employees of various companies. As you see, the ransom note starts with “Hi Company” and includes the following question in its FAQ section: “What to tell my boss?” Usually, hackers who target companies, misuse their computers’ weaknesses, such as unsecured RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) connections to drop their malware. Also, cybercriminals can send emails to their victims. In such messages, they could pretend to be a targeted company’s customers or partners. For example, to pass the malware’s launcher to the targeted victims, hackers could disguise them as text documents and send them as email attachments. Thus, whether at work or home, we always recommend scanning files from unreliable websites or emails with a reputable antimalware tool even if such data does not seem suspicious or harmful.

It is likely that same as Mespinoza Ransomware, Pysa Ransomware should not encrypt data belonging to the infected device’s operating system. Usually, such threats target files that could be important and irreplaceable, for example, photos, various documents, archives, and so on. Once encrypted, such data should receive an extension called .pysa. For instance, a file named text.docx would become text.docx.pysa after encryption. The next thing that the malicious application ought to do after it encrypts all targeted files is place a ransom note called Readme.README in all folders containing encrypted data. As mentioned earlier, the ransom note's text suggests that the malware could be targeted at companies and not regular home users. What’s more, the message suggests contacting hackers to those who want to decrypt Pysa Ransomware’s encrypted files. To prove that cybercriminals are capable of decrypting data, they propose sending a couple of small files for free decryption.

Even if cybercriminals have decryption tools that could unlock your files, we would advise against contacting them. In most cases, hackers offer decryption tools only to users who agree to pay a ransom. The bad news is that in most cases, there are no guarantees that they will hold on to their end of the deal. Therefore, just as we mentioned earlier, paying a ransom could be a gamble. If you do not like the idea, you would have to pay the Pysa Ransomware’s creators to restore your files, and that there are no reassurances they will provide the necessary means even if you put up with all of their demands, we advise not to listen to them.

Lastly, we advise not to wait too long and erase Pysa Ransomware. In truth, it is possible that the malware may delete itself from your system, in which case, you may not need to do anything. Still, we recommend making sure that the malicious application is gone. If you want to erase Pysa Ransomware manually, you should follow the instructions placed below. Users who prefer using security tools should download a legitimate antimalware tool that could remove the malicious application for them.

Delete Pysa 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 became infected).
9. Right-click it and select Delete.
10. Find files called Readme.README, right-click them, and select Delete.
11. Exit File Explorer.
12. Empty Recycle Bin.
13. Restart the computer.