Remove Protect Virus (+Decrypt .protect files) – Protect Ransomware

Protect – Ransomware

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

The message given by Protect text file requesting for the ransom is absolutely the same as the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives coming from the Protect family. It literally mentions that the information is encrypted and that the only way to restore it is to use a an unique decryption key. Sadly, this is definitely true. The type of cryptography mechanism used by Protect is still not properly examined. Still, it is absolutely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is completely distinct. It is difficult to restore the files without the key available.

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

However, regardless of the asked for quantity, people should stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to totally disregard what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not provide any positive result and people just waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We highly advise that you do not contact these crooks and absolutely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack Protect ransomware and to recover the data data totally free. Therefore, the just right decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name Protect Ransomware
File Extension .protect
Type Ransomware
Family Protect
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 protect extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Similar Infections Remove, Remove, Remove
Removal Tool   GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Keep in mind that the internet is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to Protect ransomware. It is similar Remove and many other ransomware-type threats. Malicious programs of such kind are generally elaborated to encrypt essential data and to state the demand prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to produce the unique decryption key for information decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is simply not feasible. The only method to prevent the loss of your important data is to regularly create backups of your important information.

Keep in mind that even if you create such backups, they should be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. You may use the USB Flash Drive or external hard disk 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 definitely not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my PC?

There are a number of ways used by online scams to distribute Protect ransomware. Despite the fact that it doubts how precisely Protect injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:

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

Often Protect ransomware might exist as some genuine software application, for example, in the pop-ups instructing users to carry out some essential software updates. This is the typical technique used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing Protect infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.

In addition, the criminals may describe numerous email spam techniques to inject malicious codes into PC. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones motivating users to open some video, documents, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may badly damage the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade alerts may result in Protect virus injection. When it comes to the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise contain malicious codes causing Protect secret installation. Lastly, injection of Protect may happen by ways of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and set up destructive tools without the user’s approval.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of Protect 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. Firstly, be really cautious when you browse the web and specifically while downloading free apps. Keep 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 consist of other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be harmful. Ensure that your current antivirus and your entire operating system is always duly updated.

Of course, downloading pirated software is illegal and may lead to important damage to be produced your system. Hence, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise highly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and perhaps switch to another security solution that can render better services of defending your computer.

Below please find the quotation from the Protect text file:

Attention!
Your network has been compromised and all of your data has been encrytped by \"Hydra Ransomware\" team!
We used strong cryptography include \'Public Key Encryption\' for your network and \'AES-256\' for each file in order to encrypt your files.
The only way to restore your files is to buy decryptor!
* You must know the worst thing is happened now and you cannot hide our successful attack!
  Understand if payment is not made on time. All your company data will be permanently destroyed.
  Your backups has been fatal and it is just a waste of your precious time if going to try them!
* IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION, FOLLOW THE RECOVERY INSTRUCTIONS BELOW
1. Copy your \'Network ID\' and send to our email.
   Network ID : V49HC7CQ
   Email      : fixprotectvvv@protonmail.com
2. You will receive a amount and payment order.
3. We will send you decryptor with private key to recovery your files
* You can ask for 3 free file decryption as proof of work in the first correspondence!
* Time for save your files has limited to 48 hour (from first impact) before we delete our temporary email address!
* Data manipulation cause permanent loss of files!
* Sharing this note with third party or any community cause loss the your only recovery chance

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

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Protect 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.

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Daniel Zimmermann

Daniel Zimmermann has been writing on security and malware subjects for many years and has been working in the security industry for over 10 years. Daniel was educated at the Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany and currently lives in New York.

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