How to remove PornBlackmailer ransomware

People are attacked by PornBlackmailer ransomware after downloading adult-only content

PornBlackmailer virus is a fraudulent ransomware-type infection which spreads via adult-only websites. According to the analysis, it does not encrypt any data. However, it threatens its victims to give the necessary evidence to the police which would prove that the user is responsible for watching and distributing child pornography. These threatenings are delivered in READ_ME.txt file, and people are insisted on paying 0.01 BTC to protect themselves.

Users report that they have detected PornBlackmailer ransomware after downloading videos with erotic content. Shortly after, their desktop wallpaper was changed, and they have received the ransom-demanding message which was claiming that all sensitive information is transmitted to the remote servers. 

Here is the fraction of PornBlackmailer's ransom note:

You looked through forbidden children's porn!
Also, you are involved in its spread.
This is very very very bad!

So information about your location (ip, mac, real address) and other needed data (browser cookies, social network links, desktop screens, browser history, passwords) were collected and sent to our server.

You can see part of data was collected in “C:\Users\User\Robin\server_logs” in the files “your_information.txt” and your location on map in “your_location.jpg”. Also you can see more other information about you in near folders and cookies files.

All these data was send to the our server in the internet and can not be deleted by you. All these data and complaints will be automatically forwarded to the special police departments (FBI, CIA, INTERPOL, MVD, FSB) exactly 24 hours after the current moment (this is not joke, automatically proccess). This will be enough to put you in jail for at least 1 year. Believe me, you are not the first.

HOWEVER, if you send “0.01 BTC” to the address specially generated for you, all your data will also be automatically deleted from our server and you will live peacefully, having received a lesson.

REPEAT: To forget about this incident, you need to send “0.01 BTC” to the bitcoin address (specially generated for you) below. Then all your data will also be automatically deleted from our server.

It is evident that the criminals behind PornBlackmailer try to intimidate their victims by providing the screenshots of their active desktop and the copy of browser history. All of these details are separated in different folders under the names of browser-cookies, and desktop_screens. Additionally, they add the your_information.txt file which contains information about the computer and victim's IP address. 

Since the ransomware actually spreads via infected video files for adults, victims are tricked to believe that such actions will be exposed. Likewise, many people have already agreed on paying the ransom, and the crooks managed to make considerable amounts of illegal profits. However, have in mind that this virus is based on the ability to manipulate credulous people. Thus, do NOT pay the ransom! Instead, remove PornBlackmailer right now. 

We suggest using FortectIntego for PornBlackmailer removal. Experts say that this infection might have numerous extra components along the fake video for adults. Likewise, you should get a professional security software to help you detect and eliminate all malicious files from your computer.

Also, despite the fact that this malware does not encrypt information, it doesn't mean that it is not dangerous. You should not try to get rid of PornBlackmailer by yourself. This is a relatively new cyber threat which might be able to perform various other malicious activities, like infect your computer with more viruses. For this reason, we kindly ask you to either get help from the experts or get a professional malware removal software.

Ransomware spreads as a part of the video with erotic content

Even though the original source of the malware is currently unknown, its victims report that they have encountered the infection after downloading a video file for adults. Websites with pornographic content is a common source of various cyber threats. This virus was designed to disguise as Windows screensaver with .src extension. 

One victim particularly indicates that the website, called XVideos was the source of the malicious file. Likewise, we strongly advise you not to download any content from suspicious pages. It includes images, documents, videos or software. Use only authorized websites and avoid peer-to-peer networks (P2P)^[1] as well.

Additionally, it is wise to know that criminals might employ other distribution methods, like malspam campaigns^[2] which spread the malware inside the attachment of the email. Therefore, be extremely cautious when clicking on the links, letters or other content which was sent by people you do not personally know.

The easiest way to uninstall PornBlackmailer virus

Since our aim to help regular computer users protect their systems, we suggest using a robust security software. An antivirus is not only helpful when trying to remove PornBlackmailer, but it can prevent ransomware infiltration in the first place. Therefore, employ a professional anti-malware software for both, as a precautionary measure and removal tool. 

FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, and MalwarebytesMalwarebytes are perfect for PornBlackmailer removal. You only need to download one of the antivirus systems and let it scan your computer files thoroughly. This elimination method will require merely a few clicks before your system will be clean again. 

However, experts from NoVirus.uk^[3] says that it might be hard to get rid of PornBlackmailer at first. Dangerous cyber threats often are able to prevent yours from installing the security software. Note that you can circumvent its system by rebooting your computer to Safe Mode. You will find the instructions showing how to do that at the end of this article.