How to remove PewPew ransomware

PewPew ransomware is a data locking computer infection that asks for payment in Bitcoin for a decryption tool

PewPew ransomware is yet another virus created to extort money from innocent victims. First spotted by security researcher GrujaRS in mid-September 2020,^[1] this malware locks data with a combination of AES-256 and RSA-2048 encryption algorithms,^[2] appending a .abkir extension to pictures, documents, databases, and other files. Suchlike modified files can no longer be accessed, and they lose the common file icons.

To ensure that victims are aware of what happened, cybercriminals also provide two ransom notes:

• info-decrypt.txt which can be opened with a text editor such as Notepad
• info-decrypt.hta – a pop-up window titled [encrypted by pew pew]

In the message, PewPew virus authors claim that victims have to pay in order to recover their files – they do not specify the sum, but instead, ask users to email them via pewpew@TuTa.io or pewpew@protonmail.com.

PewPew file virus has not yet been identified as a version of any ransomware family (for example, Djvu ransomware has over 240 variants, and this number keeps growing), although the ransom note looks virtually identical to those of Dharma. It is not uncommon for malicious actors to copy ransom notes from other strains, however. 

Since the malware family that the virus belongs to is still unknown, there could be many different ways of how cybercriminals deliver the malicious PewPew ransomware payload to victims. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Malicious spam email attachments or embedded hyperlinks;
• Fake Flash Player or other fake updates;
• Software vulnerabilities and exploit kits;
• Software cracks, pirated programs, repacked installers;
• Weakly protected Remote Desktop (RDP) connections, etc.

As evident, to avoid infiltration and the difficulties that arise with PewPew ransomware removal, as well as the data recovery, you should always employ powerful security solutions such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, and ensure that all the security guidelines are followed. For example, downloading pirated applications is one of the main methods to get infected with ransomware.

Once inside, PewPew ransomware would quickly modify Windows settings, registry and inject various malicious files scattered all across the system (these modifications can later be reverted automatically with tools such as FortectIntego). The changes are performed to ensure that a smooth file encryption process is performed.

PewPew files virus targets the most commonly-used file types, such as PDF, RAR, DOC, JPG, etc. During the encryption process, the malware modifies the name of each of the affected files by appending a lengthy extension, consisting of a unique ID, contact email, and the .abkir appendix.

Once files are encrypted, the virus drops the following ransom note:

All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail : pewpew@TuTa.io
Write this ID in the title of your message : –
In case of no answer in 12 hours write us to this e-mail : pewpew@Protonmail.Com
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

The attackers highlight the fact that each of the victims needs a unique key that only they have access to, and also offer test decryption of five files as proof for recovery. However, security experts^[3] do not recommend sending bitcoins to these criminals, as you might end up losing them as well. Instead, you should remove PewPew ransomware from your machine and then attempt to recover .abkir files in different ways.

Methods to remove .abkir extension from files are limited

There is a general perception among users (especially those that never encountered crypto-malware before) that they can recover .abkir files as soon as they eliminate the infection – in this case, PewPew ransomware – from their computer. Unfortunately, this could not be further from the truth, as files will remain encrypted after the virus is deleted.

Encryption works in a sophisticated way that allows the attackers to create a unique key for each victim, which means that one person could not provide the same key to another one who also has .abkir files on the computer – this is another ransomware trait that makes data recovery so difficult.

In some cases, cybersecurity researchers find bugs within the encryption process of malware, which allows them to create decryption tools – these can be found on websites like No More Ransom Project, so you should keep an eye on it from time to time.

As for now, you should attempt to recover files without paying the attackers (although, in some cases, this might be the only choice if the files are really important). Below you will find detailed instructions on how to remove .abkir extension in alternative ways – Windows built-in tools or third-party recovery software can sometimes help. Keep in mind that the success rate of these methods remains relatively low.

The correct way to delete PewPew ransomware

If you have no backups to get your files back from, you should not rush PewPew ransomware removal. In some cases, this process might completely compromise the encrypted data, which could not be recovered with even a working decryption tool later. Therefore, you should copy over all the important files over another medium, such as USB flash.

Once that is complete, you can remove PewPew ransomware from your system using a powerful security application – SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, or another. If the virus is tampering with your anti-malware tool, you should access Safe Mode with Networking and perform a full scan from there.

As soon as your system is clean and the PewPew virus is eliminated, you can then restore files from backups. If you are not willing to pay for a decryption tool, you can attempt to restore .abkir files by using alternative methods provided below.