The Pdb virus belongs under the ransomware type of infection. Ransomware of such sort encrypts all user’s data on the computer (photos, text files, excel tables, audio files, videos, etc) and appends its extra extension to every file, creating the pdb.txt files in each folder with the encrypted files.
What is known about the Pdbvirus?
☝️ A scientifically correct description for the Pdb is “a ransomware-type infection”.
Pdb appends its specific .pdb extension to every file’s name. For example, a file named “photo.jpg” will be changed to “photo.jpg.pdb”. Likewise, the Excel file with the name “table.xlsx” will end up as “table.xlsx.pdb”, and so on.
In every folder containing the encoded files, a pdb.txt file will appear. It is a ransom money memo. It contains information about the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other information. The ransom note most probably contains a description of how to purchase the decryption tool from the racketeers. You can obtain this decryptor after contacting [email protected] via email. That is how they do it.
Pdb outline:
| Name | Pdb Virus |
| Extension | .pdb |
| Ransomware note | pdb.txt |
| Contact | [email protected] |
| Detection | Crytex.Virus.FileInfector.DDS, Win32/Filecoder.OLC, Malware-Cryptor.InstallCore.5 |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .pdb extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Pdb virus |
The pdb.txt file accompanying the Pdb ransomware states the following:
Listen up mother fu**er All of your files have been encrypted Your files have been encrypted and you will never be able to decrypt them without me. Do not even try using any software because if it isdetected your files will be deleted instaed of encrypted. If you ever want to see your files again. message me on google chat at [email protected] have a good day mother fu**er.
In the image below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Pdb looks like. Each filename has the “.pdb” extension added to it.
An example of encrypted .pdb files.
How did my machine catch Pdb ransomware?
There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware injection.
Nowadays, there are three most exploited ways for tamperers to have ransomware working in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan infiltration and peer file transfer.
If you open your inbox and see letters that look just like notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose addresser is unknown to you, beware of opening those emails. They are most likely to have a malicious file enclosed in them. Therefore, it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan file scheme1. A Trojan is a program that infiltrates into your PC pretending to be something legal. Imagine, you download an installer of some program you want or an update for some program. However, what is unboxed turns out to be a harmful agent that encodes your data. As the installation wizard can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the resource of the files you’re downloading. The optimal way is to trust the software developers’ official websites.
As for the peer-to-peer networks like torrent trackers or eMule, the threat is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Web. You can never know what you download until you get it. So you’d better be using trustworthy resources. Also, it is a good idea to scan the directory containing the downloaded files with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is finished.
How to remove the Pdb virus?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your files, the Pdb virus will probably deploy the Azorult Spyware on your machine to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned spyware2 can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Sometimes criminals would unblock several of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption program. As Pdb virus is a relatively new ransomware, security software designers have not yet found a method to undo its work. However, the anti-ransomware tools are constantly updated, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.
Sure thing, if the criminals succeed in encrypting someone’s critical files, the desperate person will probably fulfill their demands. Nevertheless, paying to racketeers does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your data back. It is still dangerous. After receiving the ransom, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption key to the victim. There were reports about ransomware developers simply disappearing after getting the ransom without even bothering to reply.
The best solution against ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your critical files in the cloud drive or at least on an external disk. Surely, that might be insufficient. Your most important thing could be that one you were working on when it all went down. But at least it is something. It is also advisable to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the system restoration.
Pdb is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. Examples of those are Mzop, Erqw, Hhmm, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Pdb are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is the same: documents become inaccessible, their extensions changed, ransom notes are found in every folder containing encoded files.
Some fortunate users were able to decrypt the blocked files with the aid of the free software provided by anti-ransomware experts. Sometimes the racketeers accidentally send the decoding key to the victims in the ransom note. Such an epic fail allows the user to restore the files. But naturally, one should never expect such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ instrument to pull the money out of their victims.
How to avoid ransomware attack?
Pdb ransomware has no endless power, neither does any similar malware.
You can defend yourself from ransomware attack in three easy steps:
- Ignore any emails from unknown mailers with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are waiting for (how can you win in a money prize draw without participating in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, check all elements of the suspicious letter carefully. A fake letter will always have mistakes.
- Avoid using cracked or untrusted software. Trojan viruses are often distributed as a part of cracked products, possibly under the guise of “patch” to prevent the license check. But untrusted programs are difficult to distinguish from trustworthy ones, as trojans sometimes have the functionality you seek. Try searching for information on this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal solution is not to use such programs at all.
- And finally, to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a perfect armor for your personal computer.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft3
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft4.
Download Removal Tool.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
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 system.
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 Pdb 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
🤔 How can I open “.pdb” files?Is it possible to open“.pdb” files?
Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the “.pdb” files you will not be able to access them.
🤔 What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?
If the “.pdb” files contain some really important information, then you probably have them backed up. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. There are other ways to beat ransomware, but they take time.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Pdb virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?
Of course not. Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will remove the malware from your PC. The ransomware that has infiltrated your computer is must be still active and it scans your system from time to time to arrest any new files you might create on your PC after the initial attack. As it has already been said, the Pdb virus does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide hackers with easy access to your system in the future.
🤔 What actions should I take if the Pdb malware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation code.
In such an unfortunate situation, you need to have a flash memory card with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the procedure. You see, the ransomware starts automatically as the system boots and encrypts any new files created or brought into your computer. To suppress this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Some of the blocked files can be found elsewhere.
- If you exchanged your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You might have shared images or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to give those images back to you.
- If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Web, you can try to do it again.
- Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud drives might have all those files too.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old computer, a notebook, cellphone, external storage, etc.
HINT: You can employ data recovery utilities5 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, deleting the authentic ones. In the video below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a recovery, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you remove the ransomware itself with an anti-malware program.
Also, you can contact the following governmental fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove PDB Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: PDB Virus
Description: PDB Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .pdb extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- You can read more on spyware variants and nature in the respective section of GridinSoft official website.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
- Here are Top 10 Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
