PaySafeGen ransomware / virus (Improved Instructions)

PaySafeGen virus Removal Guide

What is PaySafeGen ransomware virus?

Important information about PaySafeGen ransomware virus

PaySafeGen virus appears to be German-speaking ransomware. It encrypts victim’s files using AES-128 encryption, generates a special decryption key and removes it from victim’s computer to prevent the victim from decrypting files free of charge. Then it displays a ransom note/screen locker, which explains what happened to the computer. It says that all files have been corrupted with AES cryptography and data recovery is impossible without the 128 digit code, which cyber criminals suggest purchasing for 100 Euros. It is nothing but a filthy blackmail, and you should definitely not pay the ransom. The ransom note announces that the decryption key is available for the next 72 hours only, and after that, it shall be destroyed. If the victim does not get a response from criminals for a while, they suggest writing to cry_16@hmamail.com. However, we believe that you should not respond to this cyber attack in any way because files cannot be decrypted. Besides, paying the ransom means funding criminals and helping them initiate even more dangerous malware campaigns sooner. We strongly recommend you to restore your private data using a backup, but firstly, remove PaySafeGen virus. To do it, you should use tools like FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner. Don’t pay the cyber criminal and do not let him/her to manipulate you.
Malicious software encodes files and demands a ransom payment

How did my PC get infected with this virus?

This virus reportedly spreads in the form of a fake Paysafecard generator, which tricks users into installing it. It promises to function like some kind of a cash generator that can generate genuine Paysafecard codes to make the victim wealthier. Of course, that is not true. The funny thing is, this fake code generator asks to pay a ransom by buying an actual PaySafeCard and typing its code into the malicious program. It proves that free cheese comes in a mousetrap only. However, let’s discuss general ransomware distribution techniques.

The fact that ransomware somehow managed to enter your computer system is naturally a bad sign. It indicates that your computer is either unprotected or that your anti-malware tool lacks necessary updates. Besides, you might be practicing unsafe web browsing habits. If you enjoy surfing suspicious Internet sites, watching random “shocking” or “never seen before” videos, or if you like to open every single email that you receive, you become a potential target for cyber attackers. Please avoid browsing shady websites and clicking on random links. Web sites that promise you to provide compelling content but keeps asking you to visit other pages or even install software updates should be considered untrustworthy. They can either redirect you to a malicious domain or convince you to install malicious software packages that include destructive payloads. Besides, you can also activate a malicious payload by opening shady email attachments sent to you by unknown individuals. We have already mentioned it hundreds of times in the past, but we repeat this again – do not open emails or email attachments that are sent to you by unknown people! You can never know what their intentions are.

PaySafeGen ransomware removal options

PaySafeGen virus can infect Windows OS users, so consequently, victims should use anti-malware tools that are compatible with Windows. For PaySafeGen removal, we strongly recommend using the FortectIntego software. It is a powerful, quick, and reputable tool that has quickly gained popularity among computer users. You might experience some issues trying to launch it while the ransomware is active, so to remove PaySafeGen with ease, we strongly recommend you to run your PC in a Safe mode with Networking first. Follows steps provided below to uninstall the virus.

Offer
do it now!
Download
Fortect Happiness
Guarantee
Download
Intego Happiness
Guarantee
Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of PaySafeGen virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove PaySafeGen using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of PaySafeGen. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that PaySafeGen removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove PaySafeGen from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

Currently data encrypted by PaySafeGen cannot be decrypted. Nonetheless, you must try these data recovery options listed below.

If your files are encrypted by PaySafeGen, you can use several methods to restore them:

Restore data with Data Recovery Pro

Are you sitting next to your computer and wondering what to do with that bunch of encrypted and useless files? We suggest you backup them and then try this data recovery tool. Follow these steps to restore your files:

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by PaySafeGen ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Explore Volume Shadow Copies

Some ransomware viruses fail to remove Volume Shadow Copies, which can become life-savers for those attacked by ransomware. These copies can be used to restore previous file copies, and you can use them in case the virus does not delete them. Follow these instructions:

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from PaySafeGen and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

 

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

About the author
Olivia Morelli
Olivia Morelli - Ransomware analyst

If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.

Contact Olivia Morelli
About the company Esolutions