PLAM ransomware is dangerous not only because it encrypts files; it installs a password-stealing malware on the system, namely AZORULT. This is extremely dangerous because this Trojan is made to grab sensitive information from victim’s computer, such as login credentials, cryptocurrency and banking details from victim’s computer and browser-saved data. Collected information gets transferred to criminals’ Command&Control server. To prevent the victim from searching for attack-related information online, the virus modifies Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of restricted domains to it.

_readme.txt note demands a ransom for file decryption

The sole aim of PLAM ransomware is to virtually extort the potential victim by making his/hers personal data inaccessible, as explained in the dropped ransom notes _readme.txt. What is not mentioned in this note is that the virus deleted Volume Shadow Copies, making it impossible to recover data using Windows in-built tools. The note delivers a short message from the criminals and victim’s personal ID in it. According to the message, the victim needs to write to the ransomware developers via provided emails to get instructions how to transfer the ransom payment. They also suggest urging a bit, stating that the ransom price will be 50% lower if the victim contacts and pays the ransom within 3 full days (72 hours). If the victim delays the payment, the price bounces back to full amount – $980. The criminals usually ask to receive ransoms in specific cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, as this guarantees their anonymity. We’d like to remind you that paying a ransom for cybercriminals is not a recommended practice. They might fail to provide you with working tools whatsoever. In addition, paying a ransom is considered a crime in specific countries and can result in penalty. Moreover, we do not recommend paying because this simply motivates the criminals, which is certainly the case with STOP/DJVU versions as there are already 280 variants of them circulating around the web. We suggest you to remove PLAM ransomware virus safely using instructions provided below. You might also be interested in scanning the system after the removal using RESTORO to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

THREAT SUMMARY

Ransomware distribution explained

While most widespread ransomware viruses like DHARMA rely on distribution based on hacked RDP ports, STOP/DJVU ransomware variants such as PLAM virus, COOS, OMFL and WBXD tend to infect computers in a more simplistic way. Its developers tend to issue new versions from time to time, disguising them as software cracks or keygens, and uploading them to various file sharing websites in a form of torrent. Typically, they tend to disguise them as cracking tools for very popular software, such as Adobe Photoshop, various games and similar. Such downloads are not only illegal and get marked as malicious even by Windows Defender itself, but infringe copyrights of the legitimate software developers as well. However, users tend to ignore security software warnings for cracks as they often believe these alerts are ‘false positives’ and there is nothing to worry about. Sadly, this often results in installation of malware or silent backdoors or password-stealers. Truth to be told, it costs way less to purchase legitimate software versions than pay ransoms for greedy cybercriminals. Other well-known ransomware distribution channels are malicious email spam and fake online ads. Speaking of malspam, cybercriminals tend to inject malicious script in various files, such as .docx or .pdf, and distribute them via email, asking the victim to view the attached ‘invoice’ or ‘pending/missing/overdue payment’ information. In these COVID-19 pandemic times, the criminals started actively distributing emails claiming victim can track a parcel using a given link; however, clicking on such unexpected tracking link can result in severe computer infection. Our recommendation is to stay away from emails you didn’t expect or wait for. Even if the sender looks legitimate, you should check the original email sender or learn how to identify a spoofed email address. Moreover, look out for other red signs such as grammar errors of off-looking logos. Finally, ransomware can hide in a form of a fake Adobe Flash Update ad, which you can encounter on highly untrustworthy websites. Therefore, make sure you download Adobe updates from its official website only if you do not want to risk infecting your computer with PLAM ransomware virus.

Remove PLAM ransomware virus safely and restore your files

Remove PLAM ransomware virus using simple yet professional instructions provided below. You should begin by booting your PC in Safe Mode with Networking and then scanning your PC with chosen anti-malware program. To finalize the removal, scan with our recommended software RESTORO to repair damage caused on Windows OS files (such as HOSTS file). After completing PLAM ransomware removal, you should begin restoring your files using a data backup, or try suggested file recovery/repair tools. The guide given below explains how to understand decryptor’s messages. In addition, we recommend changing all of your passwords for accounts saved in your browser, and reporting cybercrime incident via given authority domains below. OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically. RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them. Read full review here.

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove PLAM ransomware virus virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users Now, you can search for and remove PLAM ransomware virus files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won’t be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

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Decrypt PLAM files

Fix and open large PLAM files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. PLAM ransomware virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like BPTO, ISWR, ISZA, BPSM, ZOUU, MBTF, ZNSM (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie. Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible. In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt PLAM files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The PLAM decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages: Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID] This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor’s database. No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals is impossible. Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future. If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn’t available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your PLAM extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Victims of PLAM ransomware virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can’t find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up “[your country name] report cyber crime”. This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities. Another recommendation is to contact your country’s or region’s federal police or communications authority.