How to remove Payt Ransomware and decrypt .payt files

What is Payt Ransomware

Payt is the name of a ransomware infection that encrypts system-stored data and blackmails victims into paying money for its return. It does so by adding new filenames (consisting of unique victim’s ID, cybercriminals’ e-mail, and .Payt or .payt extension). For instance, this is how an image file infected by Payt Ransomware will likely appear – 1.png.[MJ-YK7364058912](wesleypeyt@tutanota.com).Payt. After this, a money-demanding note called ReadthisforDecode.txt gets generated onto the desktop.

As stated within this message, victims should write an e-mail to wesleypeyt@tutanota.com or wesleypeyt@gmail.com addresses and express their interest in decrypting data. It is also possible to send a test file and get it decrypted for free – this way cybercriminals seek to illustrate that their decryption actually works and can be relied on. Additionally, extortionists also inform about the risks of modifying encrypted files or doing other manipulations with the system – as it may lead to permanent damage or loss of the data. Based on extensive experience with ransomware infections, we are sorry to say that third-party decryption is oftentimes very complex and even impossible. You can try it using the software we recommend below, however, this is uncertain whether it will be able to help. The success of decryption depends on how the virus stores its encryption keys, what algorithms were used, and even whether it has bugs or flaws that can be exploited. Paying the ransom is not recommended as there are many victims who do not receive the tools they were promised – as a result, they end up bamboozled. The best way you can recover your data for free is to use backup copies of it. If you have them available on external storage that was not infected, you can easily take them for restoring your files. Note that before trying to recover the data without the help of ransomware developers, it is important to delete the virus. Although doing so will not unlock access to data, the removal will ensure no malicious activity is present and endangers your data. Use our guide below to do it for free and without traces.

How Payt Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware infections are commonly distributed using phishing techniques. A virus may be disguised as some legitimate-looking file (e.g., Word, Excel, PDF, EXE, JavaScript, RAR, ZIP, etc.) and be sent inside of e-mail spam letters. Such letters often present information explaining the “importance” of opening the attached files or links. Cybercriminals make sure their messages look utterly similar to Delivery companies, Tax Authorities, Banks, or other parties to increase the chance of users trusting what they say. Unfortunately, following requests of such spam messages will most likely lead to malware ending up on your system. Thus, it is important to avoid such e-mail letters and double-check the information you get into the inbox or spam folder. Apart from this, many infections may also target users via fake software installers or updates, malicious cracking tools, system vulnerabilities, backdoors, keyloggers, and other types of suspicious channels as well. To be more protected against such threats in the future, we recommend you read our guide below and learn more practical tips related to this topic.

1. Download Payt Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .payt 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 Payt Ransomware

Payt Ransomware files:


ReadthisforDecode.txt
{randomname}.exe


Payt Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .payt files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .payt 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 .payt 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 Payt 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 .payt 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 Payt 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. Payt 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