Parasite Ransomware - How to remove

Parasite (also known as Paralock, Arasite, and Betarasite) is a ransomware infection. It encrypts data and then changes the names of your files by adding “.parasite” or a similar extension to them. If Parasite has infected your computer, remove it and any other malware that might have been installed with it. But this won’t fix the data that Parasite encrypted – restoring your files might be a bit more difficult.

About Parasite in short:

Classification	Ransomware, trojan.
Symptoms of Parasite ransomware	Files can’t be opened and their names end with “parasite” or “paralock”, ransom notes called “info.hta” are left in your folders.
How ransomware infects computers	It’s disguised as a trusted program and uploaded on the web, it’s sent out in spam emails, it’s spread through vulnerable remote access connections.
How to remove Parasite ransomware	Use antivirus programs to find and delete malware (Spyhunter, others).

How to recognize Parasite ransomware

When Parasite ransomware infects computers, it deletes backups and then corrupts data on those computers. It goes through files and encrypts them, essentially turning their contents into gibberish.

The only way to reverse the process of encryption is to have a decryptor and to know one very specific key – a string of random symbols. Parasite’s authors want to be paid money for these tools. They’re extorting their victims for profit, holding their data for ransom.

When Parasite, Paralock, and other ransomware encrypts files, it also changes their names. It adds a second extension – “parasite”, “paralock”, “arasite”, “betarasite”, “paras1te”, or something similar. These extensions mark the files as encrypted, but they aren’t the cause of the encryption. Removing them from the names of the broken files won’t fix them.

Parasite ransomware also creates a ransom note which can be found in various folders. It offers to decrypt a couple of files for free to prove that decryption is possible. It also provides a couple of email addresses to contact the extortionists.

• [email protected],
• [email protected],
• [email protected],
• [email protected],
• [email protected],
• [email protected].

How ransomware spreads

Parasite ransomware is still new, so it’s not yet well known how it infects computers. But, according to a ransomware researcher (Twitter), it’s named after trusted programs (such as Adobe Flash Player) and Windows files and processes. This is meant to make Parasite ransomware harder to recognize once it infects a PC.

Here are some common ways that ransomware programs get on computers:

• They’re uploaded online as free installers for reputable applications. Ransomware might be bundled with a real installer and uploaded on some unofficial website. It might also be found on some torrenting sites.
• They’re sent out as attachments to spam emails. Or they’re downloaded by links in spam emails.
• Parasite ransomware might be downloaded by malicious websites. Such sites get promoted by ads and redirects on certain websites. Those websites might normally show low-quality ads or they might be infected with code that causes them to show harmful content.
• Some ransomware threats are spread via Remote Desktop Protocol. But if you rave RPD turned off, then this should not apply to you.

Like with most malware, Parasite likely doesn’t need very sophisticated methods to infect computers. With some convincing deception and a bit of advertising/spam, the operators of Parasite might trick people into installing the ransomware themselves.

Blocking ads and malicious sites and being safe online can help, and it’s also very important to use a good antivirus program to protect your computer. That said, antivirus programs aren’t perfect, so the best defense against ransomware is to have backups of your data (What’s the Best Way to Back Up My Computer?).

How to remove Parasite ransomware

Before you can use your computer normally, it’s needed to check your computer for malware. You can use any reputable antivirus application (Spyhunter, etc.) to do this. Antivirus apps detect Parasite with labels like Trojan, Ransom, Cryptorm Encoder, Malware, Malicious, SharpCrypter, etc. However, the ransomware may have already deleted itself.

That doesn’t mean that your PC is safe yet. Threats other than ransomware could be lurking. It’s common for malicious apps to come in groups. For instance, ransomware might be installed together with spyware or adware.

Although deleting the Parasite ransomware is important, there’s no need to delete the files that Parasite encrypted. They’re broken, but they’re not dangerous. It’s up to you if you want to keep them. If you have a backup to restore your files from, then there’s no reason to keep the broken data. But if you hope to fix the encrypted files, then keep them.

For options to fix you files, check Nomoreransom.org from time to time. If a decryptor for Parasite is released, it should show up on that site. In the meantime, look into file recovery programs and see if they can bring back something useful.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Parasite Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Parasite Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Parasite Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Parasite Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Parasite Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Parasite Ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Parasite Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.