Remove Payfast Virus (.payfast Files Ransomware) – ZEPPELIN Ransomware

Payfast – Ransomware

The Payfast stands for a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the ZEPPELIN ransomware family. Payfast was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. When the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. Payfast adds the “.payfast” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by Payfast, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.payfast“. As quickly as the encryption is finished, Payfast places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by Payfast text file requesting for the ransom is absolutely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives belonging to the ZEPPELIN clan. It literally mentions that the info is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a a special decryption key. Unfortunately, this is definitely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism applied by Payfast is still not correctly examined. Still, it is definitely specific that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely unique. It is difficult to restore the files without the key available.

Another technique of Payfast is that the victims cannot access to the key. The key is kept on a particular server run by the frauds connected with Payfast ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people need to pay the ransom.

Nonetheless, irrespective of the requested amount, people need to keep away from paying the virus. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to totally ignore what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom normally does not provide any positive result and people simply waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We strongly encourage that you do not contact these crooks and certainly do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack Payfast ransomware and to recover the data data for free. Hence, the just best decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	Payfast Ransomware
File Extension	.payfast
Type	Ransomware
Family	ZEPPELIN
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
Symptoms	File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special payfast extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Keep in mind that the web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to Payfast ransomware. Destructive programs of such kind are usually elaborated to encrypt important information and to state the demand before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to generate the special decryption key for files decryption.

Hence, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is merely not feasible. The only method to avoid the loss of your important information is to routinely create backups of your important information.

Remember that even if you create such backups, they need to be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. You may use the USB Memory Stick or external disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you keep your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted in addition to other files, so it’s certainly not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my PC?

There are several ways used by online frauds to distribute Payfast virus. Despite the fact that it doubts how exactly Payfast injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:

• integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
• spam e-mails from unidentified senders;
• websites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Often Payfast ransomware might exist as some legitimate software application, for example, in the pop-ups instructing users to carry out some essential software application updates. This is the common trick used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing Payfast infection manually, by methods of their direct participation in the installation process.

In addition, the criminals might refer to different e-mail spam strategies to inject destructive codes into copmuter. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam e-mails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some video, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update alerts may result in Payfast virus injection. As for the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may also include malicious codes resulting in Payfast secret installation. Finally, injection of Payfast may take place by means of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and set up malicious utilities without the user’s authorization.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of Payfast ransomware?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your system from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we want to share with with you. First of all, be extremely careful when you surf the web and especially while downloading complimentary programs. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Keep in mind that some freeware installers may contain other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be malicious. Make certain that your current antivirus and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.

Of course, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may result in necessary damage to be produced your PC. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly advised to reconsider your existing security software and possibly switch to another security solution that can render much better services of defending your Windows.

Below please find the quotation from the Payfast text file:

!!! ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED !!!

All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted.

You are not able to decrypt it by yourself! The only method of recovering files is to purchase an unique private key.
Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files.

PAY FAST 500$=0.013 btc
or the price will increase tomorrow

bitcoin address

bc1qqxnp9z0ff8x852dyflp5r9r6rzse8jl5hzmqz8

To be sure we have the decryptor and it works you can send an email: payfast500@mail2tor.com and decrypt one file for free.
But this file should be of not valuable!

Do you really want to restore your files?
payfast500@mail2tor.com
TELEGRAM @payfast500

Your personal ID: -

Attention!
 * Do not rename encrypted files.
 * Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
 * Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Screenshot of files with “.payfast” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Payfast ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.