Pashka Ransomware

Pashka Ransomware is a regular ransomware infection that users download and install on their systems accidentally. Needless to say, no one in their right state of mind would ever want to deal with such infection, so we have to learn more about ransomware and how it spreads. Normally, it is rather easy to remove Pashka Ransomware and other similar applications, but the chaos they leave behind is a lot harder to take care of. That is why computer security specialists maintain how important it is to create a system backup because you can never know when a ransomware infection will barge into your computer.

When we discuss ransomware infections, we usually point out that it is not that hard to prevent them from entering target systems. For the most part, ransomware programs like Pashka Ransomware employ spam email to reach their victims. It means that users download and install these malicious programs themselves. Of course, they are not aware of that because they think they are about to open some important documents. But that “document” is actually a ransomware installer file that was sent out by the cyber crooks who want to rip you off.

Therefore, it is important to learn the main aspects of ransomware distribution, so you could recognize a potential ransomware installer file. Usually, the spam emails that carry ransomware employ an urgent tone that should push the gullible user into opening the attached file. For example, if the file looks like some shopping invoice, the email message might say that you have to check the invoice right now for any discrepancies. But if you haven’t bought anything recently, why would you receive an invoice? So, if you feel that there might be something suspicious about the wording or the sender, you can always double-check the legitimacy of the email you have received. Finally, it is also possible to scan the attached file with a security tool, and the tool detects something dangerous about the file, you can delete it at once.

On the other hand, once Pashka Ransomware enters the target system, it gets down to business immediately. The infection encrypts files that are located in the following directories: %USERPROFILE%, %HOMEDRIVE%, and %PROGRAMFILES%. It means that most of your personal documents will be affected by this infection. And if you do not have copies of your files saved someplace else, it is very likely that you might lose your documents for good.

That is the most annoying part of any ransomware infection. Although ransomware removal is seldom complicated, removing the infection doesn’t make everything go back to normal. It is even worse if the infection attacks a business or a company network. Companies might lose thousands of dollars if the documents get locked. Hence, businesses (especially the smaller ones) are often more inclined to pay the ransom, and that’s what programs like Pashka Ransomware rely on.

These programs drop ransom notes on the affected systems. Pashka Ransomware leaves its ransom note in the HELP_ME_RECOVER_MY_FILES.txt file. Here’s what it says:

Attention! All your important files were encrypted!
to get your files back send 0.03 Bitcoins and contact us with proof of payment and your Unique Identifier Key.
We will send you a decryption tool with your personal decryption password.

Now, 0.03 BTC is around 250USD, and it might seem that the infection doesn’t ask for much. But you should know better than to do as told by these criminals. There is no guarantee they would issue the decryption key. The truth is that security specialists do not recommend relying on these ransom payments. The same goes for public decryption tools.

Only the most high-profile ransomware infections tend to have public decryption tools, so waiting for someone to decrypt Pashka Ransomware might not be the answer to your problems. It is far better to address a professional technician who would give you other file recovery options.

Pashka Ransomware doesn’t drop additional files on your computer, so to remove this infection; you need to delete the file that launched the program. If you do not remember which file is responsible for launching Pashka Ransomware, scan your computer with the SpyHunter free scanner. In the future, be sure to be more careful because the ransomware epidemic is not going to end anytime soon.

How to Remove Pashka Ransomware

1. Delete recently downloaded files from Desktop.
2. Open the Downloads folder.
3. Remove the most recent files from the folder.
4. Press Win+R and type %TEMP%. Click OK.
5. Delete the most recent files from the directory.
6. Run a full system scan with a security tool.