pauq File ☣ Virus — How to remove & decrypt [carbanak@aol.com].pauq?

What is .pauq file virus?

Also referred to as DHARMA ransomware">¹, it modifies your documents by means of encrypting them and demanding the ransom to be paid allegedly to restore access to them. [].pauq indicates as a channel for contacting the ransomware criminals.

The DHARMA ransomware is active again through its new cryptovirus bearing the name of .pauq. This particular virus family modifies all popular file types by means of adding the .pauq extension, thus making the data absolutely unavailable. The victims simply cannot open their important documents anymore. The ransomware also assigns its unique identification key, just like all previous representatives of the virus family. As soon the file is encrypted by the ransomware, it obtains a special new extension becoming the secondary one. The file virus also generates a ransom note providing the users want instructions allegedly to restore the data.

pauq Threat Summary

Name	.pauq file virus
Extension	[].pauq file virus
Type	Ransomware
Detection	Trojan:Win32/Injector.SS!MTB, TrojanRansom.MSIL, Ransom.WplagueFC.S17875470
Short Description	The ransomware modifies the documents on the attacked device through encryption and asks for the ransom to be paid by the victim supposedly to restore them.
Symptoms	The file virus encrypts the data by adding the .pauq extension, also generating the one-of-a-kind identifier. Note that the [].pauq extension becomes the secondary one.
Distribution Method	Spam, Email attachments, Compromised legitimate downloads, Attacks exploiting weak or stolen RDP credentials">².
Fix Tool	GridinSoft Anti-MalwareSee If Your System Has Been Affected by .pauq file virus

.pauq File Virus – Dharma Ransomware

The .pauq ransomware is most commonly spread by means of a payload dropper. It runs the malicious script that eventually installs the file virus. The threat circulates actively on the web, considering the facts about the ransomware mentioned in the VirusTotal database. The .pauq ransomware may also promote its payload files through popular social networks and via file-sharing platforms. Alternatively, some free applications hosted on many popular resources may also be disguised as helpful tools, whereas they instead may lead to the malicious scripts that injected the ransomware. Your personal caution to prevent the .pauq virus attack matters a lot!

.pauq File Virus is a infection that encrypts your data and presents a frustrating ransomware notice. Below is the screenshot depicting the ransomware note:

[].pauq virus demanding message in a pop-up window

It says the following:

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, write us to the e-mail
Write this ID in the title of your message XXXXXX
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (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[dot]com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxps://
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.

Remove [].pauq File Virus (Dharma)

The is an excellent way to deal with recognizing and removing threats – using Gridinsoft Anti-Malware. This program will scan your PC, find and neutralize all suspicious processes">⁴.

Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Run the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your PC.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

Press “Install” button.

Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your PC for pauq infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.

How to decrypt .pauq files?

You can download and use this decrypter that Kaspersky released if you were hit by .[].pauq extension.

You can download and use this decrypter that Avast released or this decrypter that Kaspersky released if you were hit by .pauq extension.

What the next?

If the guide doesn’t help you to remove pauq virus, please download the GridinSoft Anti-Malware that I recommended. Also, you can always ask me in the comments for getting help. Good luck!