How to remove Prnds Ransomware and decrypt .Prnds files

What is Prnds Ransomware

This article focuses on the Prnds Ransomware (one of the Dharma Ransomware family), which, like many similar viruses, encrypts user data in various formats. This can be photos, videos, multimedia, archives, office documents, much more. After encryption using a special algorithm, the files become unusable for further use. Moreover, the virus assigns them a new .Prnds extension. It is worth noting that the virus creates a special text file, which is the note containing detailed information about a possible redemption. Below you can see how it looks.

Despite the fact that the note is written in English, this does not mean at all. Well, that it is aimed only at English-speaking users. In fact, Prnds has already spread around the world. In the note, the developers indicate the amount of several hundred dollars in cryptocurrency equivalent (more precisely, Bitcoins). Of course, we do not recommend you pay. The first reason is expensive. The second is that there is no guarantee that fraudsters will actually return your files to you. Below you can see the options to remove Prnds Ransomware.

All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, please send an email to RDPrecovery1@protonmail.com
The subject of your email should be: –
if you didn’t get any response you can send an email to RDPone@cock.li
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoin. The price depends on how fast you contact us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool.
How can you trust us to decrypt your files?
Before paying you can send us up to 3 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 2Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Most often Prnds comes through unsafe user networks, taking advantage of the fact that many users do not use paid anti-virus software. You can also come as an attachment to a spam mailing list or as an update for a program or utility. Be that as it may, you need to use special antiviruses and other software that can really prevent such threats from penetrating. Also, below you can find our recommendations for manually removing Prnds from your computer and to decrypt your files.

Well, there are 2 options for solving this problem. The first is to use an automatic removal utility that will remove the threat and all instances related to it. Moreover, it will save you time. Or you can use the Manual Removal Guide, but you should know that it might be very difficult to remove Prnds ransomware manually without a specialist’s help.

If for any reason you need to recover deleted or lost files, then check out our article Top 5 Deleted File Recovery Software

Prnds Removal Guide

Remember that you need to remove Prnds Ransomware first and foremost to prevent further encryption of your files before the state of your data becomes totally useless. And only after that, you can start recovering your files. Removal must be performed according to the following steps:

1. Download Prnds Removal Tool.
2. Remove Prnds from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
3. Restore .Prnds files
4. How to protect PC from future infections.

How to remove Prnds ransomware automatically:

Download Removal Tool

Norton is a powerful antivirus that protects you against malware, spyware, ransomware and other types of Internet threats. Norton is available for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices. We recommend you to try it.

If you’re Mac user – use this.

Manual Prnds Removal Guide

Here are step-by-step instructions to remove Prnds from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to Prnds. First of all, you need to run the system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.

Uninstall Prnds from Windows or Mac

Here you may find the list of confirmed related to the ransomware files and registry keys. You should delete them in order to remove virus, however it would be easier to do it with our automatic removal tool. The list:

Prnds.dll
_readme.txt
readme.txt

Windows 7/Vista:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Prnds by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows 8/8.1:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Prnds by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows 10:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Prnds by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows XP:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Prnds by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Mac OS:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press and Hold Shift button, before system will be loaded;
3. Release Shift button, when Apple logo appears;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Prnds by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

How to restore encrypted files

You can try to restore your files with special tools. You may find more detailed info on data recovery software in this article – recovery software. These programs may help you to restore files that were infected and encrypted by ransomware.

Restore data with Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery is able to find and restore different types of encrypted files, including removed emails.

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery
2. Choose drives and folders with your data, then press Scan.
3. Select all the files in a folder, then click on Restore button.
4. Manage export location. That’s it!

Download Stellar Data Recovery

 

Restore encrypted files using Recuva

There is an alternative program, that may help you to recover files – Recuva.

1. Run the Recuva;
2. Follow instructions and wait until scan process ends;
3. Find needed files, Prnds them and Press Recover button;

How to prevent ransomware infection?

It is always rewarding to prevent ransomware infection because of the consequences it may bring. There are a lot of difficulties in resolving issues with encoders viruses, that’s why it is very vital to keep a proper and reliable anti-ransomware software on your computer. In case you don’t have any, here you may find some of the best offers in order to protect your PC from disastrous viruses.

Malwarebytes

Download Removal Tool

SpyHunter is a reliable antimalware removal tool application, that is able to protect your PC and prevent the infection from the start. The program is designed to be user-friendly and multi-functional.