Prnds Ransomware

Prnds Ransomware is a malicious computer infection, but you probably don’t need to hear that right now. If you’re reading this description, you’re looking for a way to remove Prnds Ransomware from your system. For the removal instructions, you can scroll down to the bottom of this entry. However, we would strongly recommend an automated removal with a powerful antispyware tool. Thus, if you can afford to invest in one, do so right now. Please note that it might not be possible to restore the files affected by this infection, but it shouldn’t be the reason to pay the ransom fee.

After all, there is a reason all the programs like Prnds Ransomware fall into the RANSOMware category. The point is to rip the infected users off by selling them decryption keys that should help them get their files back. While there are cases when the cybercriminals do issue the decryption keys, more often than not, they simply collect the payments and scram, leaving their victims penniless and with locked files, too. Hence, please note that paying the ransom might not be the answer to all of your problems right here. It would be a lot more efficient to rely on a file backup.

Now, Prnds Ransomware doesn’t come out of nowhere. This infection belongs to the Crysis Ransomware family. It is very similar to 8800 Ransomware, BOMBO Ransomware, GTF Ransomware, and similar programs that are based on the same code. They also get distributed in a similar fashion, and if we learn the main distribution patterns, it should be easier to avoid similar intruders in the future.

Our research team suggests that Prnds Ransomware should spread through spam email attachments. Although most of the time, spam email messages get filtered into the Junk folder, not all email service providers have algorithms sophisticated enough to do that. Also, spam emails that distribute malware can be quite well-crafted, and they might also look like legitimate messages from some organizations and sometimes even your business partner. And if such an email comes with an urgent message that says you have to check out the file immediately, you might be too distracted to notice that something is definitely off.

However, once you open the said file, you install Prnds Ransomware on your system, and then this ransomware takes over. The infection scans your system, and it locates all the file types it can encrypt. It can affect almost any file that is in the %USERPROFILE% directory, although the ransomware will leave system files intact because it needs the system to work if it intends to receive the ransom payment. As far as the rest of the files are concerned, however, Prnds Ransomware will lock them up, and it will put up a lock on them with its new extension. The extension contains your unique infection ID, the email address you supposedly need to use to contact these criminals, and the PRNDS sequence, which clearly shows how this ransomware got its name.

How are you supposed to know that you need to pay the ransom fee? Well, Prnds Ransomware displays a ransom note, of course! It comes in a pop-up window that jumps into your screen, and it also drops a separate ransom note in a TXT format file. The bottom line of those notes is practically the same: your files have been encrypted, and now you have to contact the people behind this infection to get your files back. Neither of the notes says how much you are expected to pay for the decryption key, though. So, you might be up for a nasty surprise if these people even reply to you back.

Again, paying the ransom shouldn’t be an option because the criminals could just run away with your money, or the server that issues the decryption keys could be down by now. It’s recommended to address a professional who deals with such infections if you want to learn more about your file recovery options.

If you have a file backup, you can just remove Prnds Ransomware today, delete all the encrypted data, and then transfer healthy copies into your system. That’s the ideal solution, but if you don’t have a file backup, then try to sort out what you can do about your data with a security specialist you trust.

How to Remove Prnds Ransomware

1. Delete suspicious files from Desktop.
2. Remove suspicious files from the Downloads folder.
3. Press Win + R and enter %TEMP%. Press OK.
4. Delete the latest files from the directory.
5. With the Win + R command, access these locations:
   %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
   %WINDIR%\System32\
   %APPDATA%\
6. Delete the Info.hta file from them.
7. Use the Win + R command again to open the following:
   %WINDIR%\System32
   %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
8. Remove the random EXE format file from the said directories.
9. Press Win + R again and enter regedit. Click OK.
10. Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
11. On the right pane, delete the value with the same EXE file.
12. Use SpyHunter to run a full system scan.