How to remove PAY2DECRYPT Ransomware and decrypt .PAY2DECRYPT files

What is Pay2Decrypt Ransomware

Pay2Decrypt is a ransomware-type virus that encrypts personal data and blackmails victims into paying the so-called ransom. A ransom is usually some amount of money cybercriminals demand from users for file decryption. Each file encrypted by the virus will appear with the .PAY2DECRYPT extension and a set of random characters. To illustrate, a sample originally named 1.pdf will be changed to 1.pdf.PAY2DECRYPTRLD0f5fRliZtqKrFctuRgH2 resetting its icon as well. After this, users will no longer be able to open and view the encrypted file. Immediately after successful encryption, the ransom creates hundred text files with identical content – Pay2Decrypt1.txt, Pay2Decrypt2.txt, and so forth until Pay2Decrypt100.txt.

Decryption instructions say victims can return access to their files by paying from 0.0002 to 0.2 BTC (Bitcoin) to cybercriminals. The exact amount of ransom will be defined by extortionists after victims contact them by e-mail (P2DqZHMg28A265z@postheo.de or P2DoTJ6L16H1q7a@mail.a1.wtf). It is also important to send your personal ID in the e-mail message as it will help swinlders match the right decryptor for you. Unfortunately, there is no third-party tool that could help decrypt files affected by Pay2Decrypt Ransomware for free. You can try some instruments from our guide below, however, we cannot promise they will be able to help. This is due to the complexity of encryption and the way cybercriminals store private keys after restricting access to files. A better and more secure way to circumvent paying the ransom is to recover your files using backup copies. If you have such available, you can easily replace your encrypted files with them. Note that prior to performing any manual recovery method, it is important to delete the virus first. In general, trusting and paying cybercriminals is not recommended, however, the decision also depends on how much money you are able to risk and whether encrypted files are very important to you. Payment required by Pay2Decrypt Ransomware may be catastrophically low compared to other infections, so you could think about it as well – in case no other alternative is available. To delete the virus and learn about third-party recovery methods, read our guidelines below.

How Pay2Decrypt Ransomware infected your computer

The biggest part of infections is spread using phishing distribution techniques. This often involves the usage of e-mail spam letters that contain malicious attachments. Such attachments may be MS Office documents (.DOCX), PDFs, Executable, Archive (.ZIP, .RAR), or JavaScript files. Once opened, they unleash malicious scripts that inject malware into the system. Various spam letters usually look like something legitimate – cybercriminals use templates similar to companies that are popular around the web (DHL, FedEx, banking institutions, OpenSea, Netflix, etc.). Sometimes such letters may also contain links redirecting to scam pages where users are asked to enter their credentials. Do not trust such content, especially if you have never had any relatedness to it before. Malware distribution does not limit by e-mail letters only. There are channels that cybercriminals actively use to spread their software – trojans, backdoors, keyloggers, fake software cracking tools, fake program updates/installers, various system vulnerabilities, and many more to put on this list. Beware of any unofficial resources and equip yourself with anti-malware software to prevent further infections if such dare knock on the door.

1. Download Pay2Decrypt Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .PAY2DECRYPT 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 Pay2Decrypt Ransomware

Pay2Decrypt Ransomware files:


Pay2Decrypt[].txt
{randomname}.exe


Pay2Decrypt Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .PAY2DECRYPT files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .PAY2DECRYPT 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 .PAY2DECRYPT 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 Pay2Decrypt 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 .PAY2DECRYPT 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 Pay2Decrypt 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. Pay2Decrypt 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