How to remove Promorad Ransomware and decrypt .promorad or .promorad2 files

What is Promorad Ransomware

Promorad Ransomware is a malicious variant of the notorious Djvu ransomware family, designed to encrypt vital files on a victim’s computer and demand a ransom for their decryption. Once it infiltrates a system, it appends the .promorad or .promorad2 file extension to the names of the encrypted files, rendering them inaccessible. For instance, a file previously named document.jpg will be renamed to document.jpg.promorad. This ransomware uses robust encryption algorithms, frequently leveraging AES or RSA cryptographic methods to ensure that decrypting the files without the necessary key is practically infeasible. After encryption, Promorad Ransomware generates a ransom note named _readme.txt, which is strategically placed in every folder that contains encrypted files. This note contains instructions on how victims can contact the cybercriminals and make the ransom payment to obtain the decryption key.

Regrettably, there are no publicly available decryption tools specifically designed to decrypt files encrypted by Promorad Ransomware. The ransomware developers keep the decryption keys on remote servers, accessible only to them. Thus, without these keys, automated tools or manual decryption methods currently cannot restore the affected files. Victims are advised never to contact or pay the ransom to these criminals, as there is no guarantee that the decryption key will be provided, and it encourages further criminal activity. The best method to mitigate the impact is to maintain regular backups of essential data offline or in the cloud before infection occurs. In the absence of backups, victims can explore third-party data recovery tools like Recuva, but their success rate is not guaranteed, especially against well-implemented ransomware encryption like that used by Promorad.

How Promorad Ransomware infects computers

Promorad Ransomware, a variant of the notorious Djvu ransomware family, employs multiple methods to infiltrate computers and encrypt valuable data. This malware often spreads through malicious email attachments, fake software updates, and downloads from unofficial sources such as torrent sites or free file hosting services. Cybercriminals frequently disguise these harmful files as legitimate documents or software, tricking users into executing them. Once activated, the ransomware exploits vulnerabilities in outdated software or leverages trojans to deliver its payload. To mitigate the risk of infection, it is crucial to maintain up-to-date software, avoid suspicious downloads, and use reputable antivirus solutions.

1. Download Promorad Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .promorad 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 Promorad Ransomware

Promorad Ransomware files:


_readme.txt
{randomname}.exe


Promorad Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .promorad files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .promorad 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 .promorad 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 Promorad 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 .promorad files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select the type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose the 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 a 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 are no items in the list, choose an alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it, and you will see a 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 an 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 Promorad 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. Promorad 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