Purge Ransomware

Purge Ransomware is an application designed to encrypt your most important files and force you to pay a ransom for the decryption tool. However, you should not get your hopes up too fast because the cyber crooks might not send you the promised decryption software. Therefore, you should consider removing this malware entirely. We want to note that there is no way to decrypt the files using a free third-party decryption tool because it does not exist. To find out more about this infection, we invite you to read this full article.

Before we move on to its functionality and features, we would like to overview Purge Ransomware’s dissemination. Apparently, this malicious program is distributed via fake emails that feature malicious Word file attachments that appear to contain distorted text and ask you to enable macros. If you enable macros, then this file will download this ransomware’s executable and place it in C:\Users\{ your user name}\AppData\Local. The name of the executable file is msiscan.exe. The emails may look as if they were sent from legitimate companies such as Amazon, eBay, FedEx to trick you and compel you to open them. We have unconfirmed information that your computer can also become infected with this ransomware while visiting torrent websites. We think that this ransomware’s dropper file might be injected into the website using some kind of exploit kit or bundled with pirated content that is featured on that particular torrent website.

We would like to point your attention to the fact that Purge Ransomware drops a file named How to restore files.hta that functions as the ransom note. This same file is also dropped by a seemingly unrelated ransomware called Okean-1955@india.com Ransomware which is similar to Ransomware, Vegclass@aol.com Ransomware, Redshitline Ransomware, and a few other infections. Therefore, it is possible that Purge Ransomware comes from the same cyber criminals responsible for releasing the ransomware mentioned above.

The encryption process is preceded by a scan of the computer to determine which files in which locations it will encrypt. Our analysis has shown that this particular infection will encrypt files in almost all locations with the exception of Program Files, Program Files (x86), Windows, Program Data, and AppData because these locations contain files that are vital for the operating system to run properly, and you cannot install and run the decryption program when Windows have been corrupted. This ransomware is set to target specific file formats that include but are not limited to .jpeg, .doc, .mp3, .zip, .rar, and .iso. Note that it does not encrypt .exe files, so you can run an anti-malware program to delete this ransomware. Like most ransomware, Purge Ransomware is configured to encrypt file formats that are more likely to feature content of personal nature to compel you to pay the ransom. However, there is no way of knowing how much money the cyber criminals want you to pay until you contact them via the supplied email address.

When you write to the cyber crooks, they want you to send them the unique ID number that is presented in Purge Ransomware GUI called Globe. It is claimed that once you contact the criminals, they will sent you payment instructions, and you can send them one encrypted file, and they will send you back the decrypted file back as proof that they mean business. Once the payment is received, they will send you the software/decryption tool that will decrypt your files, or so they claim. The truth is that there is no way of knowing whether the cyber criminals will keep their word and send you the decryption software.

There is no way of knowing whether paying the ransom will yield the desired result and, in any case, complying with the demands of the criminals will only encourage them to produce more ransomware, and it seems that they have been busy, creating many similar applications. If you want to remove Purge Ransomware, then please consult the guide provided below. Alternatively, you can use our featured anti-malware tool called SpyHunter to get rid of this infection.

How to remove this ransomware

1. Hold down Windows+E keys.
2. In the File Explorer’s address box, type C:\Users\{ your user name}\AppData\Local and hit Enter.
3. Locate msiscan.exe, right-click it and click Delete.
4. Go to the desktop and delete How to restore files.hta.
5. Empty the Recycling Bin.