Remove PLEX ransomware

What is PLEX ransomware virus

The ransomware known as PLEX ransomware is categorized as a highly harmful threat, due to the amount of harm it might cause. If ransomware was unknown to you until now, you are in for a shock. If a powerful encryption algorithm was used to encrypt your data, you won’t be able to open them as they’ll be locked. Because file decryption isn’t always possible, in addition to the time and effort it takes to return everything back to normal, data encoding malware is believed to be a very dangerous infection. Crooks will give you the option to decrypt files by paying the ransom, but that is not the encouraged option. There is a likelihood that your data won’t get decrypted even after paying so you may just end up wasting your money.

Consider what’s stopping crooks from just taking your money. You ought to also bear in mind that the money will be used for future malicious program projects. Do you actually want to support an industry that costs billions of dollars to businesses in damage. And the more people comply with the demands, the more of a profitable business ransomware becomes, and that attracts many people to the industry. Consider investing that money into backup instead because you could be put in a situation where you face data loss again. You could just delete PLEX ransomware without issues. And in case you are unsure about how you managed to obtain the ransomware, its distribution ways will be discussed further on in the article in the paragraph below.

Ransomware spread ways

Rather basic methods are used for distributing ransomware, such as spam email and malicious downloads. A lot of ransomware depend on user negligence when opening email attachments and don’t have to use more elaborate methods. There’s some possibility that a more sophisticated method was used for infection, as some file encrypting malicious programs do use them. All cyber criminals have to do is use a known company name, write a convincing email, add the malware-ridden file to the email and send it to future victims. Commonly, the emails will talk about money or similar topics, which people are more likely to take seriously. And if someone who pretends to be Amazon was to email a user about questionable activity in their account or a purchase, the account owner would be much more likely to open the attachment without thinking. Be on the lookout for certain things before opening files added to emails. Before anything else, check the sender’s identity and whether they can be trusted. And if you are familiar with them, double-check the email address to make sure it’s really them. Those malicious emails are also often full of grammar errors. Another significant clue could be your name not used anywhere, if, lets say you’re an Amazon customer and they were to send you an email, they would not use universal greetings like Dear Customer/Member/User, and instead would insert the name you have given them with. Vulnerabilities on your system Vulnerable software may also be used as a pathway to you computer. All programs have vulnerabilities but when they are discovered, they are usually fixed by vendors so that malware cannot take advantage of it to enter. Unfortunately, as proven by the WannaCry ransomware, not all people install updates, for one reason or another. It’s very essential that you frequently patch your programs because if a vulnerability is serious, malicious software might use it to get in. Patches can install automatically, if you don’t want to bother with them every time.

What can you do about your files

As soon as the ransomware infects your device, it’ll look for certain file types and once they’ve been found, it’ll encrypt them. If by chance you haven’t noticed until now, when you’re unable to open files, you will realize that something has happened. Files that have been affected will have a weird file extension, which can help users figure out the ransomware’s name. If a powerful encryption algorithm was used, it could make decrypting data potentially impossible. After the encryption process is completed, you’ll find a ransom notification, which will attempt to explain what has occurred and how you ought to proceed. A decryptor will be proposed to you, for a price obviously, and cyber crooks will warn to not implement other methods because it could lead to permanently encrypted files. The price for a decryptor ought to be specified in the note, but if it’s not, you will be asked to send them an email to set the price, it could range from some tens of dollars to a couple of hundred. Paying these criminals isn’t the suggested option for the already talked about reasons. Only consider paying when everything else fails. Try to recall whether you recently backed up your files but forgotten. Or maybe a free decryption utility has been developed. Malware specialists might be able to decrypt the data encrypting malicious software, therefore they could develop a free program. Before you decide to pay, look into that option. Investing part of that money to buy some kind of backup might do more good. If you had made backup before infection took place, you ought to be able to restore them from there after you uninstall PLEX ransomware virus. Become aware of how ransomware spreads so that you can dodge it in the future. At the very least, do not open email attachments left and right, keep your software updated, and only download from sources you know to be safe.

Methods to eliminate PLEX ransomware virus

Implement an anti-malware program to get the data encoding malicious program off your device if it’s still in your system. It might be tricky to manually fix PLEX ransomware virus because a mistake could lead to further damage. So as to avoid causing more damage, go with the automatic method, aka an anti-malware utility. The tool wouldn’t only help you deal with the threat, but it may stop future file encrypting malware from getting in. Find which anti-malware utility is most suitable for you, install it and allow it to perform a scan of your computer to locate the infection. However, an anti-malware program won’t help you in file restoring as it’s not able to do that. After the ransomware is fully terminated, it’s safe to use your system again.

Learn how to remove Remove PLEX ransomware from your computer

• Step 1. Delete ransomware via anti-malware
• Step 2. Delete Remove PLEX ransomware using System Restore
• Step 3. Recover your data

Step 1. Delete ransomware via anti-malware

• a) Windows 7/Windows Vista/Windows XP
• b) Windows 8/Windows 10

a) Windows 7/Windows Vista/Windows XP

1. Start menu -> Shut down -> Restart.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options loads.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.
4. When your computer boots, download anti-malware software via your browser.
5. Launch the program, scan your computer and delete the infection.

b) Windows 8/Windows 10

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and click on the power icon.
2. Select Restart while holding the Shift key.
3. Choose Troubleshoot and then Advanced options.
4. In Advanced options, choose Startup Settings and select Enable Safe mode with Networking (or just Safe Mode).
5. Press Restart.

Step 2. Delete Remove PLEX ransomware using System Restore

• a) Windows 7/Windows Vista/Windows XP
• b) Windows 8/Windows 10

a) Windows 7/Windows Vista/Windows XP

1. Start menu -> Shut down -> Restart.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options load.
3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and press Enter.
4. In Command Prompt, type in cd restore and press Enter.
5. Then type in rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
6. A new window will appear where you will have to choose a restore point. Choose one dating back prior to infection and press Next, and then Finish.

b) Windows 8/Windows 10

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and click on the power icon.
2. Select Restart while holding the Shift key.
3. Select Troubleshoot and then Advanced options.
4. In Advanced options, choose Startup Settings and select Enable Safe mode with Command Prompt.
5. In the Command Prompt window that appears, type in cd restore and press Enter.
6. Then type in rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
7. In the window that appears, you will have to select a restore point dating back prior to infection. Select one and press Next, then Finish.

Step 3. Recover your data

• a) Method 1. Data Recovery Pro
• b) Method 2. Windows Previous Versions
• c) Method 3. Shadow Explorer

When your files are encrypted by ransomware, you may be able to recover them. Below, you will find methods that could help you with file decryption. However, bear in mind that file decryption is not guaranteed. These methods are not always reliable, thus the best way to recover files would be via backup. And if you don't already have it, we suggest you invest in it.

a) Method 1. Data Recovery Pro

1. Download the Data Recovery Pro program.
2. Install and run the program.
3. Press Start Scan to see if data can be recovered.
4. If it finds recoverable files, you can restore them.

b) Method 2. Windows Previous Versions

If you had System Restore enabled prior to infection, your files should be recoverable through Windows Previous Versions.

1. Find a file you want to recover and right-click on it.
2. Properties -> Previous Versions.
3. Choose a version from the list and press Restore.

c) Method 3. Shadow Explorer

Some ransomware does not delete automatically created copies of your files, which are known as Shadow Copies. If they were not deleted, you should be able to recover them via Shadow Explorer.

1. Download Shadow Explorer from a reliable source.
2. Install and run the program.
3. Choose a disk that contains encrypted files and if it contains folders with recoverable files, press Export.