What is Prestige Ransomware
Prestige is a ransomware infection that encrypts potentially valuable files and demands victims to pay a fee for recovering them. While making data no longer accessible, the virus appends the .enc extension and changes the original icons of files. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.enc. After this, a text file named README gets created.
YOU PERSONAL FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED.
To decrypt all the data, you will need to purchase our decryption software.
Contact us Prestige.ranusomeware@Proton.me. In the letter, type your ID = -.
* ATTENTION *
- Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
- Do not modify or rename encrypted files. You will lose them.
Within the file cybercriminals let victims know what should be done to recover the files. It is said victims have to write an email message to prestige.ranusomeware@proton.me and include their personally generated ID. Following this, extortionists will give more explicit instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool. The information given inside of the note also states warnings against running manual changes and attempting to decrypt files with third-party tools as it can lead to permanent damage of data. Unfortunately, encryption by Prestige Ransomware is indeed strong and less likely to be decrypted by third-party tools at the moment. Paying the ransom is usually not recommended – there is always a risk that swindlers will end up scammers and not send any decryption tools. The best alternative to paying the ransom and recovering data is backup copies. If original copies of encrypted files are available on external storage like USB-flash drive, you can easily recover them after deleting the virus. Trying third-party tools (from our guide) may be also an option, however, we are unable to promise that they will lead to the successful decryption of files. Note that it is paramount to remove the infection from your system before trying any recovery methods that exclude the cybercriminals’ help. Follow our instructions below to do it fast and without traces. Although it will not return access to files, deleting is important to prevent further malicious activity.
How Prestige Ransomware infected your computer
Previous research shows that cybercriminals behind Prestige initially used to distribute tools designed for stealing various credentials (passwords, logins, banking info, etc.) by deploying remote commands. Then, cybercriminals have been observed to initiate the installation of ransomware via Windows Scheduled Task utility, PowerShell, or Default Domain Group Policy Object. The virus seeks to disable the MSSQL Windows service and run encryption of files eventually. As a rule, users get infected with malware after clicking/opening malicious attachments or links in e-mail spam letters, downloading software that conceals malware from untrustworthy websites, and so forth. For instance, there are e-mail letters covered under legitimate entities, such as banks, tax authorities, popular delivery firms (DHL, DPD, FedEx), and much more. Their purpose is to trick users into believing they are genuine and opening malicious attachments attached to them. Most cybercriminals use files with .DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, .JS, and other extensions to give them click-bait names and fool inexperienced users into opening them. Trojans, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, and system exploits are also channels that can be abused to spread ransomware. Keep in mind that cybercriminals capitalize on inattentive and naive users who lack specific knowledge about the distribution of malware. Read our guide below to learn more tips about protecting yourself against such threats in the future.
- Download Prestige Ransomware Removal Tool
- Get decryption tool for .enc files
- Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
- Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
- Restore files with Shadow Explorer
- How to protect from threats like Prestige Ransomware
Download Removal Tool
To remove Prestige Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Prestige Ransomware. The trial version of Spyhunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove Prestige Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Prestige Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.
Prestige Ransomware files:
README
{randomname}.exe
Prestige Ransomware registry keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore .enc files
Use automated decryptors
Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor
Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .enc files. Download it here:
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 .enc 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 Prestige 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 .enc files
- Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Click Recover Data button.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
- Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
- Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.
Using Windows Previous Versions option:
- Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
- Select Previous Versions tab.
- Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
- To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
- In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.
Using Shadow Explorer:
- Download Shadow Explorer program.
- Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
- Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
- Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
- In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.
If you are using Dropbox:
- Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
- Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
- Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.
How to protect computer from viruses, like Prestige 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.
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. Prestige 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.
