How to remove Pico ransomware

Pico ransomware – a dangerous file locking threat which urges $100 in Bitcoin or Ethereum for the ransom

Pico ransomware is a virus which enters the computer system by using stealth technique and starts its activity by modifying the Windows Registry. It uses the .PICO extension to encrypt valuable files. Once documents are locked, a ransom message named README.txt appears and cybercrooks announce about the secret infiltration. Nevertheless, they urge victims' to write via de.picocode@gmail.com email address and transfer $100 in Bitcoin or Ethereum to receive a decryption tool for corrupted data.

Pico virus encrypts files such as:

• Pictures;
• Audios;
• Videos;
• Databases;
• Powerpoints;
• etc.

Such data is locked by using unique codes which are secretly hidden on remote servers. Both encryption and decryption keys are kept in reach only for the criminals themselves.

Pico ransomware as other viruses of its kind, demands cryptocurrency^[1]. In this case, Bitcoin or Euthereum is urged. Such currency is a guarantee of safety that transfers will remain secret and untrackable. However, we recommend you overthinking everything twice before paying the demanded price as victims are very likely to get scammed.

According to malware researchers^[2], ransomware-type viruses sometimes have abilities to weaken the security system on the infected computer. Due to that, other infections can easily find the way to your computer. If you want to avoid such possibility, you need to remove Pico virus from your computer as soon as you spot encrypted files with the .PICO extension. Use FortectIntego to eliminate the ransomware.

Talking about data decryption, you need to perform the Pico ransomware removal first. If you do not – data recovery will be useless as the virus will still be active on your computer. So, get rid of the threat first and then think about data restoring. For such purpose, you can look through a few methods that we offer at the bottom of this page.

Take some precautionary measures against ransomware

If you have spotted symptoms that are related to ransomware infections, there is a big possibility that you might have caught such infection due to a phishing message. Try to remember, have you recently opened a dubious-looking email? If the answer is yes, it might be the case, why your computer is affected. Various spam messages^[3] might include damaging content as crooks use such tactic to spread the hazardous payload and infect victims' computers very easily.

Moreover, if you like visiting various sites such as P2P networks, it might also be the case, why your computer system is infected with ransomware. Such web pages often lack protection and contain harmful links that can launch the threat straightly to your computer just with one accidental click.

Taking about data safety, you need to store copies of important files on an external device. Purchase a USB drive and copy important data to it. There will be no risk that your files might get corrupted if you keep the USB unplugged from your PC.

Get rid of Pico ransomware

If you spot files with the .PICO appendix, you can be sure that you need to remove Pico virus as it is responsible for your corrupted data. We advise choosing a professional anti-malware tool. You can pick from our suggested FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. However, feel free to use any of your own if you are likely too.

After you perform the Pico ransomware removal, make sure to refresh your computer. Be careful in the future, take all precautionary measures possible to avoid various malware infections. More important, store valuable documents on external devices to protect your files from corruption.

Additionally, always have antivirus protection running on your computer. It will increase your PC safety level and protect the system from various threats which might try to sneak in the system unnoticed.