How to remove PedCont ransomware

PedCont – a virus that claims that you have entered Deep Web and performed other illegal activities

PedCont is a file-encrypting virus that is designed to use AES cryptography to encode various files on the affected system. However, this ransomware does not append any specific file extension to the targeted data. Instead of that, it displays a pop-up window. Authors of malware accuse a victim of searching for child pornography and entering the Deep Web^[1]. As a result, a computer was infected with ransomware and victim has to pay $50 in Bitcoins or Litecoins in 72 hours in order to get back files and avoid legal punishment.

PedCont virus seems to be more of a scareware than a real ransomware because it does not properly encrypt data on the targeted computer. The main purpose of this cyber threat is to trick users that they are criminals who used internet for illegal activities, and now they have to make a payment in order to avoid prosecution.

Soon after the infiltration, PedCont ransomware displays a window on the screen with a threatening message where people can learn what had happened to their files:

!!! ATTENTION !!! – Please the read the this immediately: 
Dear Potential to criminal,  
– to you of Due Actively seeking out child pornography or similarly illegal content on the Deep the Web, you have Been infected directory with Our ransomware Called PedCont. 
– WHAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED:
All of your sensitive data, location and files – pictures, videos, documents, etc. – have been auto-collected and saved to an external server and will be stored & protected for the next 72 hours (counting from the first time you see this message). If we do not receive any cooperation from  your part once the time is up, international authorities WILL be contacted and sent detailed information about everything that we have scraped from your computer. 

The further message of the ransom note contains specific information about:

• how much money people have to pay in order to avoid legal punishment;
• how they can obtain Bitcoins or Litecoins necessary for the payment;
• how to transfer the ransom;
• where to transfer the payment.

Criminals use pure psychological terror in order to convince victims into paying the ransom. Paying $50 does not seem as painful as being arrested. However, people standing behind PedCont have nothing in common with legal authorities. This malicious program is created for swindling the money from inexperienced and naive computer users.

Of course, receiving such pop-up might be shocking experience at first. However, if you read attentively, you can find tons of grammar mistakes and lack of logic. Any legal organization does not demand to make payments in cryptocurrency to avoid legal punishment. Such payments would be illegal itself. Specialists from Dieviren.de^[2] say that it's important to remain calm and be critical with received alerts on the computer's screen.

Therefore, if you see this scary message on your screen, you should think about anything else but PedCont removal. In order to get rid of malware, you should reboot the computer to Safe Mode with Networking (the guide is given below) and install a reputable anti-malware program. 

We recommend using FortectIntego for virus elimination. However, feel free to use your prefered tools, but do not forget to update it first! Only up-to-date software can remove PedCont from the PC entirely. Additionally, if a virus has compromised your files and you need to recover them, you can find some restoration methods at the end of the article.

Malware might arrive on the system after opening an email attachment

The information in the ransom note might include a little bit of truth. This cyber infection may have been a result of browsing through high-risk websites. Such sites might contain malware-laden ads or urge to download some updates in order to access specific content. However, it's not the main way how crypto-viruses spread.

In most cases, ransomware gets into machines when users open an obfuscated email attachment. Cyber criminals usually send thousands of different spam campaigns that trick people into opening fake invoices, bank statements or other important documents. 

We want to remind that emails from legitimate organizations do not arrive in spam inbox. Therefore, you should never open them and empty spam box immediately. However, if you accidentally opened it, you should stay away from all the links and attachments to avoid a cyber attack.

Eliminate PedCont from your PC immediately

To remove PedCont you need to powerful and professional anti-malware tools. It's the only way to get rid of all malicious components without causing damage to the system. We highly recommend using FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. However, if you want to use other software, make sure that you are downloading or updating it from the reliable sources. Do not obtain security tools from P2P networks^[3], suspicious file-sharing sites or torrents because they might be not only ineffective but malicious too.

If you cannot install or run anti-malware software, you should try rebooting your device to Safe Mode with Networking or use System Restore method. Ransomware might be resistant. However, with our prepared PedCont removal guide, you should be able to get rid of it without any obstacles.