Petya 2017 Ransomware Removal Guide

If you ever encounter a program called Petya 2017 Ransomware, be sure to do everything that you can to avoid it. That is critical because this is an incredibly aggressive malware that should never be active on your PC. Like any other program categorized as ransomware, this one can lock vast quantities of data once it gains access to your operating system. Unfortunately, the affected files are often corrupted once and for all. Thus, it goes without saying that having such malware up and running on your PC could have disastrous outcomes. In our report, we present a few tips that will help you maintain a fully secure operating system at all times. Also, you will find detailed information about the overall functionality of this malicious application. Finally, we present a comprehensive removal guide that you must use without any hesitation if Petya 2017 Ransomware is ever found running on your PC.

Petya 2017 Ransomware functions aggressively and quickly. Thus, once the operating system is affected, users with no advanced computer knowledge, are rarely able to stop this malicious piece of software before it has done any harm. This intrusive program differs in its functionality from other ransomware applications that are active today because it damages your MBR (Master Boot Record), which is essential for your operating system to load. The MBR is affected as soon as the malicious program is launched. The devious program restarts your PC and then initiates a fake system repair services on %HOMEDRIVE%. This is done for a couple of reasons. One is that it scares the user and the other is that it hides the fact that the malicious application is encrypting data on the affected PC. Unfortunately, manual decryption is an impossible task due to the strength of AES-256 and RSA-4096 ciphers used to lock your files. Once all of this dirty work is done, you will see that the hoax repair service is not complete. Right after that, you will be presented with an image of a flashing red skull, which asks to press any key. As soon as you do that, you will see a ransom note that will demand payment in return for decryption services. Under no circumstances abide by any of cyber crooks' requests as it is a scam and you might end up losing not only your data but a significant sum of money as well. Make sure to delete Petya 2017 Ransomware as soon as it is detected active on your PC. To do that in the easiest way possible, make sure to use the instructions that we present below.

Petya 2017 Ransomware is known to be currently roaming the web; thus, being aware of its existence and having a fully secure system is critical. Our research team has compiled a few virtual security tips to help you improve your overall virtual security. Firstly and most importantly, make sure to install a professional antimalware tool if you do not have one already. Such a tool is paramount because it provides overall system security at all times; meaning, that it can detect and warn you in advance about any virtual threat. Alongside such a tool you also need to practice safe browsing habits. Make sure to bypass all suspicious third-party download websites since they are infamous for being the primary source of bundled installers, which are infamously used by malware developers to distribute their intrusive software. Also, you should be extra careful about e-mail attachments that come your way from unknown third-parties, because cyber crooks are known to use spam e-mail campaigns as means to spread their unwanted programs. Finally, be sure to always learn as much as you can about a program that you want to have active on your PC before even downloading it. This is important because malware developers tend to use manipulative marketing techniques to trick unsuspecting Internet users into downloading their programs without understanding how they function. These relatively simple precautionary steps will help you have a fully secure operating system.

The removal of Petya 2017 Ransomware should be your utmost priority if it is already active on your PC. Under no circumstances delay the termination process because that could have devastating outcomes, to put it lightly. Also, you must be aware of the fact that leftovers of Petya 2017 Ransomware could act deviously. For example, they could prove to be more than enough for this malware to continue its intrusive functionality. In other situations, its traces could be used to restore it without your knowledge. Avoid finding yourself in such a situation by simply double-checking your entire operating system for anything associated with Petya 2017 Ransomware as soon as you are done with the instructions below.

How to Fix the MBR (Master Boot Record)

Windows 7

1. Restart your operating system from your Windows 7 installation CD/DVD.
2. Click the “Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows” radio button.
3. Select the operating system and click Next.
4. When the System Recovery Options screen comes up, click Command Prompt.
5. Enter the these commands and tap the Enter key after each line:
   a) bootrec /rebuildbcd.
   b) bootrec /fixmbr.
   c) bootrec /fixboot.
6. Eject the CD/DVD.
7. Restart your PC.

Windows 8/Windows 8.1/Windows 10

1. Restart your system from the original Windows installation DVD.
2. When the Welcome screen comes up, click Repair your computer.
3. Choose Troubleshoot.
4. Select Command Prompt.
5. Enter the these commands and tap the Enter key after each line:
   a) bootrec /FixMbr.
   b) bootrec /FixBoot.
   c) bootrec /ScanOs.
   d) bootrec /RebuildBcd.
6. Eject the DVD.
7. Type in exit and tap the Enter key.
8. Restart your PC.

Windows Vista

1. Restart your system from your Windows Vista installation CD/DVD.
2. When the Welcome screen comes up, click on Repair your computer.
3. Select your operating system.
4. Click Next.
5. When the System Recovery Options window shows up, select Command Prompt.
6. Type the these commands and tap the Enter key after each line:
   a) bootrec /FixMbr.
   b) bootrec /FixBoot.
   c) bootrec /RebuildBcd.
7. Eject the CD/DVD.
8. Type in exit and press the Enter key.
9. Restart your PC.

Windows XP

1. Restart your computer from the Windows XP CD.
2. When the Welcome to Setup screen appears, tap “R” to open the Recovery Console.
3. Type “1” at the “Which Windows installation would you like to log onto” question and tap Enter, if there is no other operating system on your hard disk.
4. Enter your password at the “Type the Administrator password” question and tap Enter.
5. Type fixmbr in the Command Prompt window and tap Enter.
6. When the “Are you sure you want to write a new MBR?” message appears, press “Y”, and tap Enter.
7. Eject your Windows XP CD.
8. Type exit and tap Enter.
9. Restart your PC.

How to delete Petya 2017 Ransomware from your PC

1. Open the File Explorer.
2. Navigate to C:\Users\<your username>\Downloads.
3. Right-click a malicious .exe file select Delete. Note that the name of this file is random.
4. Navigate to to C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\Temp.
5. Right-click a malicious .exe file select Delete. Note that the name of this file is random.
6. Right-click your Recycle Bin and select the Empty Recycle Bin option.