Prandel Cryptovirus - How to remove

Prandel is a computer virus which, if successful, results in most of your files being broken and a note on each infected computer demanding a payment of $490 for a decrypter. File-encrypting ransomware is notorious for the extortionists running with the ransom money, for the encrypted data being completely unrecoverable, and for even worse malware being installed alongside the virus. Prandel is not an exception: it secretly installs a spyware trojan, it changes important settings on the infected computer (like banning websites and disabling the antivirus software), and paying for a decrypter sometimes results in the victim being ignored and abandoned.

Prandel is actually the file extension that this specific virus gives each encrypted file. If you set your Windows to display file extensions, you can see that each locked file now has two: its old type, and “.prandel” appended to the end.

picture.jpg -> picture.jpg.prandel

The file _readme.txt is the ransom note that Prandel leaves on the affected folders. This note mentions the price of decryption ($490), the email addresses of the extortionists ([email protected], [email protected], and @datarestore (Telegram)), and a warning about the encryption method used being strong and using unique keys. That last part is true and the encryption can’t really be broken at the moment, not without finding the decryption keys.

How Prandel works

How Prandel spreads

Mostly, this virus mainly spreads via cracks and pirated software. Activating expensive commercial programs for free is not legal, but it is dangerous. Malware is hidden in a significant portion of pirated files and programs as cybercriminals see it as an attractive medium for spreading their viruses for, ultimately, making a profit. Prandel is an example of one of the most obviously destructive viruses, but different malware, like spyware, is distributed through pirating, too. For example, the AZORult stealer being spread by Prandel is not as visible, but potentially even more dangerous because it can collect passwords, banking credentials, and download other viruses.

Prandel is a version of STOP ransomware, together with Djvu, Nvetud, Ferosas, and others. Some ransomware viruses, including a few older versions of STOP, spread using infected email spam. This included a letter sent out in bulk to multiple recipients. The letter would have a malicious files attached and opening the file would start the infection. A hacked RDP is also used, allowing extortionists to install the virus after connecting to the target computer using Remote Desktop and leaked, stolen, or guessed password.

Can you recover the data?

Most of the data locked by Prandel can’t be decrypted. There is a small chance that some of your files can be decrypted in the future by STOPDecrypter, a program being maintained by a volunteer cybersecurity researcher. Earlier versions of STOP could be decrypted by Dr.Web or STOPDecrypter completely, but the extortionists have improved their virus since then. If you read this post, you’ll learn how the STOPDecrypter works and its limitations. Wait to see if Prandel is supported, run the software, and if it doesn’t work on some files, they can’t be decrypted for now.

The other ways to recover locked data are described in the guide below this article: system restore, shadow volume, data recovery might not always work, but they’re all worth trying if you really wish to get back your files. Modern ransomware viruses have made improvements to get around these options, though, including STOP ransomware: deleting shadow copies, not deleting the encrypted files, etc.

How to remove Prandel

It’s important to not only remove Prandel but also the viruses that it might have installed with it and to undo the changes to your settings that were done by the virus. If you decide to change those settings, it should be up to you. For now, if you notice being unable to visit certain websites after the Prandel infection, check this guide to stop being redirected from cybersecurity websites.

Spyhunter, or another trusted application can be used to detect malware and remove it, though you can also remove viruses manually once you know the location of the malicious files.

After you’ve dealt with the infection, don’t forget to update your antivirus and other software. Prandel deletes the updates of the installed protection software to make it too weak to catch viruses and that needs to be rectified as soon as possible. The online world is a dangerous place and up-to-date software, quality antivirus protection, and careful behavior are necessary to avoid malware.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Prandel Cryptovirus encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Prandel Cryptovirus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Prandel Cryptovirus

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Prandel Cryptovirus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Prandel Cryptovirus affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Prandel Cryptovirus tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Prandel Cryptovirus encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.