How to remove PARKER Ransomware and decrypt .PARKER files

What is PARKER Ransomware

PARKER is the name of a ransomware program designed to encrypt users’ data and extort money from victims. It is likely to be a product of cybercriminals who developed two other devastating file-encryptors named ZORN and MATILAN. Just like them, PARKER creates the same RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt text note on how to recover encrypted data. During encryption, the virus changes various types of potentially important files in the following pattern – from 1.pdf to 1.pdf.PARKER and so forth with other files stored on a system. As a result, this change will make files no longer usable without a special decryption tool, which has to be purchased from cybercriminals.

Unless victims contact threat actors via written contact addresses and pay the required monetary ransom within 3 given days, the latter threatens to leak the collected data to public resources. This will carry a risk of debunking private company information, which can be abused by competitors or other fraudulent figures. Although it is always advised against collaborating with cybercriminals, they might be the only figures able to provide full data decryption and somewhat guarantee to not publish sensitive information. Unfortunately, there are no third-party tools that could at least decrypt your data for free. The best feasible option available is to recover encrypted files through backups stored on uninfected devices (e.g. USB flashcards, other PCs, Cloud, etc.). If you do not have this option available, but still would like to recover your data without the help of cybercriminals, you can try some third-party tools presented in our guide below. We cannot guarantee they will be able to decipher your data, but it is at least worth giving a try. Prior to applying any of the recovery options, it is important to stop PARKER Ransomware from operating inside of your system. Otherwise, it may reactivate its encryption or even spread to other systems working within the same local network. All of this is covered in our article below.

How PARKER Ransomware infected your computer

There is no single way used by cybercriminals to spread their malware. Instead, many ransomware infections use a variety of channels to distribute themselves – trojans, e-mail spam messages, phishing pages, fake software updates/installers, unprotected RDP configuration, NAS (Network Attached Storage) vulnerabilities, and other open vectors as well. Trojans are a type of malware designed to cause chain infections upon its successful injection. They can be spread via any of the above-mentioned channels. E-mail spam letters are messages where swindlers attempt to convince inexperienced or inattentive users into downloading malicious attachments or going to links designed to do the same. MS Office documents, PDFs, JavaScript, Archive, and Executable files can be modified and attached to such letters to carry infections. As mentioned, based on what data is being collected during encryption, it is reasonable to assume that cybercriminals behind PARKER Ransomware are likely to target business members primarily. Thus, the infection could penetrate through some security crack or negligence of internal workers. Be you a regular user not related to business or vice-versa, we nevertheless encourage you to read our guide below and learn how one can be protected against such threats in the future.

1. Download PARKER Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .PARKER files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like PARKER Ransomware

PARKER Ransomware files:


RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt
{randomname}.exe


PARKER Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .PARKER files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .PARKER files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .PARKER files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with PARKER Ransomware and removed from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .PARKER files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like PARKER Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. PARKER Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro