What is Pay Us Ransomware?
Pay Us Ransomware is nasty data encrypting malware which is in the news lately. It targets and attacks vulnerable system and compromises them to lock data by executing an encryption algorithm. This results in locking of all the files and data which are saved on the compromised pc. This is all strategy to hold the files hostage for ransom for getting files unlocked in exchange of the ransom which is to be paid by victims. Soon after the files are locked victims will notice that their original file names of default files have changed. The file names will get appended by new extension as .pay us at the end of file name. If the image having file name as 1.jpg will be renamed as 1.jpg.pay.us as file extension. Eventually the stored files and data will turn inaccessible and cannot be opened for further usage. Pay Us Ransomware is similar in nature with other data locking malware and Trojans such as WannaCry 3.0 Ransomware , BIOPASS RAT
Threat Summary
- Name: Pay Us Ransomware
- Type: Ransomware, Data Encrypting Malware
- File extension: .pay us
- Ransom Note: read_me.txt
- Ransom Demanded: 0.1473766 BTC (Bitcoin cryptocurrency)
- Detection: Avast (Win32:RansomX-gen [Ransom]), BitDefender (Generic.Ransom.Hiddentear.A.52EB7E84)
- Removal: Scan your PC with Legit Antivirus
Overview of Ransom Note: Pay Us Ransomware
As soon as the files get renamed by .pay us extension, Pay Us Ransomware will drop ransom note as text file on the desktop computer as ‘read_me.txt’ It bears all the information that confirms victims that their system has been attacked and they have to pay the ransom to the hackers of Pay Us Ransomware. The demanded ransom is in Bitcoins which is popular cryptocurrency. However there is slight confusion on the amount of ransom that is to be paid to hackers. Somewhere in the note it is mentioned that ransom amount of $1500 is to be paid exactly. But just above the crypto wallet address it is clearly stated that victims need to send 0.1473766 BTC (Bitcoin) on converting the sum amount is $4600. So it is not clear whether the hackers forgot to update the amount or whether this is the significant amount it is not very clear. Cryptocurrency is mostly demanded as transactions of digital currency is very difficult to get traced and an exorbitant sum can be demanded from the Business Companies and Large Organizations that solely rely upon their data.
Should Ransom be Paid to Pay Us Ransomware ?
The idea of paying ransom to hackers is horrible. No matter what, it is strictly advised that whatever the ransom might be demanded, victims should never pay it to hackers. There is no guarantee that even if the ransom amount is paid to hackers they will ever keep their promise of releasing the decryption tool or private key. It is unfortunate that data which is locked by Pay Us Ransomware cannot be decrypted without intervention of hackers as the ransomware is still in development phase or has some kind of flaws. Even if the amount is paid, there is very little possibility of data getting unlocked and victims will suffer financial loss as well as lose their important data. So it is better to restore the data with the backup if its saved to some other location on the same computer or any other system.
How to Remove Pay Us Ransomware ?
Removing Pay Us Ransomware manually can be cumbersome task and requires an advanced computer skills. So it is better to opt for Automatic removal process which requires scanning of PC with legit Antimalware tool. All you have to click on the download button to use free scanner on your system.
Best Offer (For Windows)
Pay Us Ransomware can be creepy PC threat that may keep on running in background by hiding its files on computers. For complete and hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest users to try Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Kindly Note *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Spyhunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and more details about Free Remover
Best Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and Pay Us Ransomware has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.
Details of Antimalware with User’s Guide
Step 1 Remove Pay Us Ransomware using “Safe Mode with Networking”
Step 2 Delete Pay Us Ransomware using “System Restore”
Step 1 Remove Pay Us Ransomware using “Safe Mode with Networking”
Windows XP and Windows 7 users:
First of all Reboot the PC in “Safe Mode”. For this users need to Click on “Start” option and then continuously Tap on F8 during the start process. Then a “Windows Advanced Option” menu will appear on the screen. Now Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the listed options.
This will open a new Windows homescreen and your PC or work-station will be working on “Safe Mode with Networking”.
For Windows 8
First Go to Start Screen. Now type “Advanced” after selecting settings within the searched results Within the “General PC Settings” option, Select “Advanced startup” option. Then click on the “Restart Now” option. This will boot work-station to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Now Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button. Then under “Advanced Option Screen”, You need to press on “Startup Settings”. Now again, click on “Restart” button. This will restart PC or Work-station with “Startup Setting” screen. You need to tap F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.
For Windows 10
First of all click on Windows logo by clicking on the “Power” icon. This will open a new menu. Select “Restart” by constantly keeping “Shift” button pressed on keyboard. Once the new Window open Select on “Troubleshoot” as advanced option. Within the startup settings users need to press on “Restart” by clicking on F5 button of the keyboard.
Step:2 How To Delete Pay Us Ransomware using System Restore
For this you need to log in on the PC which is compromised by Pay Us Ransomware. Now open any browser and download legit anti-malware software. Once installed you need to undergo complete system scan. Thereafter remove the infected and suspicious entries which are detected.
Best Offer (For Windows)
Pay Us Ransomware can be creepy PC threat that may keep on running in background by hiding its files on computers. For complete and hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest users to try Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Kindly Note *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Spyhunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and more details about Free Remover
Best Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and Pay Us Ransomware has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.
Suppose if you are unable to start PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, you need not worry. Try “System Restore” Process
Continuously tap F8 Key during “Startup” and then “Advanced Option” menu will appear. Now from the given list of option you need to select “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and hit on Enter button.
Within new open window of command prompt, type “cd restore” and then click “Enter”
Now type rstrui.exe and then press “ENTER”
In the new opened Window Click on “Next” option.
You can select and choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on Next (This would restore your PC to earlier period before Pay Us Ransomware invasion when it was working fine.)
Press on “Yes” in new opened Window.
As soon as your PC gets restored to its previous time, download the suggested anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Pay Us Ransomware infected files if still present on the the work-station.
If you want to restore each file separately which is infected by this ransomware, kindly use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This step is most effective whenever “System Restore Function” is enabled on the PC or work-station.
Important Note: Some variants of Pay Us Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” so in such cases this feature may not work all the time and will work in specific cases only.
Know How To Restore Encrypted Files Individually
If you want to restore an individual file, you need to right click on it and then go to “Properties”. Now Select “Previous Version” tab. then Choose a “Restore Point” and finally click on “Restore” option.
If you want to access the files encrypted by Pay Us Ransomware, alternatively you can try “Shadow Explorer”. To know more details on this application, Click here.
Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are very devastating and hence it is always better to take necessary precautions to avoid any attack on your work-station or PC. We recommend using a powerful anti-malware tool for real time protection. “SpyHunter”, “Enigma group policy objects” are enabled in the registries so that it can block harmful infections such as Pay Us Ransomware.
Also, it is highly important to get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” installed on Windows 10. This would ensure to offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature to block any kind of encryption of the data files. Using this feature all the files stored in their default locations are safe.
How To Recover Files Encrypted by Pay Us Ransomware
You would have understood now that how you can remove the scripts and payloads of personal files that got encrypted due to Pay Us Ransomware in order to protect your personal files which were fortunately not damaged or encrypted till now. If you are unable to retrieve the locked files, using “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” you must try using a Data Recovery Software.
Step 1: Download Data Recovery Software
Step 2: Double click to execute the installer file on your PC
Step 3: Click to Accept to agree the terms and agreement.
Step 4: Once installed, this program will be ready to execute. Now select the file you want to recover
Step 5: Select the drive on which the recovery tool is to be run upon. Then click on Scan option
Step 6: This will show Scan in progress bar
