How to remove Petya+ ransomware virus

Another imitator of Petya – Petya+ enters the online market

Petya+ virus is the name of another crypto-malware which aims to share a bit notorious glory of NotPetya/Petya/ExPetr^[1] virus. Nonetheless, the malware miserably fails at this mission. Not to mention altered the trademark of Petya – skull – the malware does not encrypt files either.

The ransom note presents a forged notification imitating Windows repair process. It informs a victim that their computer disk is corrupted and needs repair. As the original virus, Petya+ also warns a user not to turn off the device. Though this action won time for the original version, in this case, the message is only a diversion as the malware fails to become a full-fledged virus.

Furthermore, the threat is programmed in .NET language, unlike the original threat which was written with the assistance of the C programming language. The infection activates through Petya+.exe so you can notice it on the Task Manager.

At the moment, only few security applications can detect this malware which disguises under Trojan.Ransom.PetyaScam, Ransom-FakePetya!01A18DB18AF5, or Ransom_FAKEPETYA., however, it is only a matter of time. Fortunately, the ransomware does not succeed its mission but you should remove Petya+ ASAP. For that purpose, FortectIntego or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes might serve you.

Fake versions keep popping up

The history repeats itself. Right after WannaCry emerged, new fake versions sprung to life. The same story happens with Petya. Since 27th June, the day when the malware paralyzed the activity multiple companies across the globe, specifically in Europe, such versions as CryForMe, WhyCry virus, kept appearing.

Unfortunately, there were much more destructive malware cases as well. Along with the original threat, FakeCry virus was released as well. Even though it referred to WannaCry, the infection turns out to be a complex file-encrypting threat.
Speaking of the current virus, the malware fails to leave an impression of sophisticated infection. On the one hand, the authors might be praised for imitating Petya ransom and system alerts. Here is an extract from it:

You became a victim of the PETYA RANSOMWARE!
The harddisks of your computer have been encrypted with an military grade encryption algorithm. There is no way to restore your data without a special key. You can purchase this key on the darknet page shown in step 2.
To purchase your key and restore your data, please follow these three easy
steps:
1. Download the Tor Browser at “https://www.torproject.org/”. If you need help, please google for “access onion page”.
2. Visit one of the following pages with the Tor Browser:
hxxx://petya37h5tbhyvki.onion/n19fvE
hxxx://petya5koahtsf7sv.onion/n19fvE

The malware spreads through fewer distribution techniques

The infection has been found targeting users in corrupted websites. There is a chance to get infected when downloading a corrupted torrent file. The romanized ransomware also cooperate with exploit kits. However, the latter are exploited by the cyber criminals of more exquisite threats.

Since the malware is undeveloped, there is a lower chance that threat is distributed via spam campaign. However, you should not exclude this probability. In order to lower the risk of getting infected, do not only pay attention to the spam folder but make sure you enforce security of the computer. Besides anti-virus, you should install anti-malware and firewall software^[2]. Now let us discuss Petya+ removal options.

Ways to eliminate Petya+ threat from Windows OS

Since the virus underperforms as a file-encrypting threat, you can get rid of the threat with the assistance of a cyber security tool. It should perform Petya+ virus and wipe all its elements of lingering registry keys.

However, taking into account, that it still manages to meddle with the boot settings, you may not be able to access the virus-fighting utility. In order to complete Petya+ removal, you may need to launch Safe Mode. More information is provided below. On the final note, Romanian users^[3] should be more cautious of this fake imitation of Petya.