How to remove Trash Panda Ransomware and decrypt .monochrome files

What is Trash Panda Ransomware

Trash Panda Ransomware is a new encryption virus that locks data on a computer and demands a ransom in exchange for the decryption key. It is a dangerous computer virus developed by hackers for commercial purposes. Trash Panda Ransomware is usually hidden in spam emails that look legitimate and trustworthy. When a user downloads and opens the malicious attached files, Trash Panda Ransomware encrypts all files on the computer. As a result, the user has to spend a huge amount of money to buy a decryption key from the Trash Panda Ransomware maker. Once the encryption process is complete, the Trash Panda Ransomware appends the .monochrome extension to the names of all affected files. It also generates a file, named [random_string]-readme.html which serves as a ransom note. Below is an example how ransom note looks like:

The ransom note informs the victim that their files have been encrypted and urges them to contact the attackers to restore the affected data. The victim is warned that if they do not initiate communication with the cybercriminals until the countdown clock runs out, the decryption key will be deleted, thus rendering data recovery impossible. Trash Panda Ransomware uses a two-layer encryption process. The outer wrapper is performed with RSA, a public key encryption system. Before beginning the encryption routine, the ransomware looks for a stored RSA encryption key in the Windows Temp directory. The dropper probably installed this file for the ransomware package. However, if the encryption process cannot find it, the whole ransomware procedure is called off. There are some legitimate files decryption tools available that can help users to recover their files. Users can search for decryption keys on Emsisoft.com, which provides users with free ransomware decryption tools. However, it is important to note that hackers are criminals, and it is not smart to make transactions with them. They may never provide a real decryption key for the user even if they send them lots of money. Therefore, never pay the ransom and always try to recover the files using legitimate decryption tools.

How Trash Panda Ransomware infects computers

Trash Panda Ransomware can infect computers in several ways, including:

• Spam emails that look legitimate and trustworthy.
• Infected websites that add a popup to the site that tells the user that the browser is out of date.
• Exploiting applications vulnerabilities.
• Infecting removable devices.
• Browser hijacking.
• Social engineering, such as phishing emails or fake websites.

1. Download Trash Panda Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .monochrome 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 Trash Panda Ransomware

Trash Panda Ransomware files:


[random_string]-readme.html
{randomname}.exe


Trash Panda Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .monochrome files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .monochrome 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 .monochrome 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 Trash Panda 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 .monochrome 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.

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 Trash Panda Ransomware , in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

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. Trash Panda 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.