PROTON Ransomware 🔐 (.PROTON File) — Removal Guide

The Proton virus belongs to the Xorist ransomware family. Malware of this type encrypts all user’s data on the PC (images, documents, excel tables, music, videos, etc) and adds its own extension to every file, creating the HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt text files in every directory which contains the encrypted files.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

When we talk about the intrusion of unfamiliar programs into your computer’s work, the proverb “Forewarned is forearmed” describes the situation as accurately as possible. Gridinsoft Anti-Malware is exactly the tool that is always useful to have in your armory: fast, efficient, up-to-date. It is appropriate to use it as an emergency help at the slightest suspicion of infection.

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What is known about the Proton virus?

☝️ Proton is a Xorist family ransomware-type malicious agent.

Proton appends its specific .PrOToN extension to the title of every encrypted file. For example, a file entitled “photo.jpg” will be altered to “photo.jpg.PrOToN”. Just like the Excel table named “table.xlsx” will end up as “table.xlsx.PrOToN”, and so forth.

In each directory containing the encrypted files, a HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt file will be created. It is a ransom money note. It contains information about the ways of paying the ransom and some other remarks. The ransom note most probably contains a description of how to buy the decryption tool from the tamperers. You can obtain this tool after contacting [email protected] via email. That is basically the scheme of the crime.

Proton Summary:

The HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt document coming in package with the Proton malware states the following:

Hello

 

All your files have been encrypted
if you want to decrypt them you have to pay me 0.045 bitcoin.


Make sure you send the 0.045 bitcoins to this address:
bc1qygn239pmpswtge00x60ultpp6wymht64ggf5mk


If you don\'t own bitcoin, you can easily buy it from these sites:
www.coinmama.com
www.bitpanda.com
www.localbitcoins.com
www.paxful.com


You can find a larger list here:
hxxps://bitcoin.org/en/exchanges


After sending the bitcoin, contact me at this email address:
[email protected] with this subject: -
After the payment has been confirmed,
you will get decryptor and decryption keys!


You will also receive information on how to defend against another ransomware attack
and the most important thing is your security hole through which we entered.


Attention!
Do not try other cheaper decryption options because nobody and nothing can
decrypt your files without the keys generated for your server,
you will lose time, money and your files forever!

In the picture below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Proton looks like. Each filename has the “.PrOToN” extension appended to it.

An example of encrypted .PrOToN files.

How did Proton ransomware end up on my PC?

There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware infiltration.

Nowadays, there are three most exploited methods for tamperers to have ransomware planted in your system. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer-to-peer networks.

• If you access your mailbox and see letters that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is unknown to you, beware of opening those letters. They are most likely to have a ransomware file attached to them. Therefore, it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with letters like these.
• Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan virus scheme. A Trojan is a program that gets into your PC disguised as something legal. Imagine, you download an installer of some program you want or an update for some program. However, what is unpacked reveals itself a harmful program that compromises your data. As the update file can have any title and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the things you’re downloading. The best way is to use the software companies’ official websites.
• As for the peer networks like torrents 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 items with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is done.

How do I get rid of ransomware?

It is important to note that besides encrypting your data, the Proton virus will most likely install Vidar Stealer on your machine to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned program can derive your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.

Remove Proton with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware

We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common Ransomware as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove Proton as well as other malware hiding on your computer.

To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:

1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.

2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file.

3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.

4. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.

Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.

5. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.

6. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.

8. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.

Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.

Trojan Killer for “Proton” removal on locked PC

In situations where it becomes impossible to download antivirus applications directly onto the infected computer due to malware blocking access to websites, an alternative solution is to utilize the Trojan Killer application.

There is a really little number of security tools that are able to be set up on the USB drives, and antiviruses that can do so in most cases require to obtain quite an expensive license. For this instance, I can recommend you to use another solution of GridinSoft - Trojan Killer Portable. It has a 14-days cost-free trial mode that offers the entire features of the paid version. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.

Trojan Killer is a valuable tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping you to effectively remove malware from infected computers. Now, we will walk you through the process of using Trojan Killer from a USB flash drive to scan and remove malware on an infected PC. Remember, always obtain permission to scan and remove malware from a computer that you do not own.

Step 1: Download & Install Trojan Killer on a Clean Computer:

1. Go to the official GridinSoft website (gridinsoft.com) and download Trojan Killer to a computer that is not infected.

2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.

3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.

4. Once the installation is complete, launch Trojan Killer.

Step 2: Update Signature Databases:

5. After launching Trojan Killer, ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.

6. Click "Update" icon to download the latest signature databases, which will ensure the tool can detect the most recent threats.

Step 3: Scan the Infected PC:

7. Safely eject the USB flash drive from the clean computer.

8. Boot the infected computer to the Safe Mode.

9. Insert the USB flash drive.

10. Run tk.exe

11. Once the program is open, click on "Full Scan" to begin the malware scanning process.

Step 4: Remove Found Threats:

12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.

13. Click on "Cure PC!" to remove the identified malware from the infected PC.

14. Follow any additional on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer:

15. Once the threats are removed, click on "Restart PC" to reboot your computer.

16. Remove the USB flash drive from the infected computer.

Congratulations on effectively removing Proton and the concealed threats from your computer! You can now have peace of mind, knowing that they won't resurface again. Thanks to Gridinsoft's capabilities and commitment to cybersecurity, your system is now protected.

Sometimes criminals would unblock few of your files so you know that they do have the decryption tool. Since Proton virus is a relatively recent ransomware, anti-malware designers have not yet found a method to undo its work. Nevertheless, the anti-ransomware instruments are constantly updated, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.

Of course, if the evildoers succeed in encoding someone’s critical files, the hopeless person will most likely fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying to criminals gives no guarantee that you’re getting your data back. It is still risky. After obtaining the ransom, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports of criminals simply disappearing after getting the money without even writing back.

The best safety measure against ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud disk or at least on an external drive. Of course, that might be not enough. The most crucial thing could be that file you were working upon when it all started. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also wise to scan your PC for viruses with the antivirus program after the system restoration.

There are other ransomware products, besides Proton, that work similarly. For instance, Gaqq, Kiqu, Yyza, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Proton are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is the same: documents become encoded, their extensions altered, ransom notes appear in each directory containing encoded files.

Some fortunate victims were able to decrypt the arrested files with the help of the free tools provided by anti-malware specialists. Sometimes the racketeers mistakenly send the decryption key to the victims in the ransom readme. Such an epic fail allows the victim to restore the files. But of course, one should never rely on such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a tamperers’ tool to pull the money out of their victims.

How do I avoid ransomware infection?

Proton ransomware has no endless power, neither does any similar malware.

You can armour your PC from ransomware injection in three easy steps:

• Ignore any letters from unknown senders with unknown addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are expecting (how can you win in a money prize draw without even taking part in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, check all elements of the suspicious email carefully. A hoax email will always have a mistake.
• Never use cracked or untrusted programs. Trojans are often shared as an element of cracked products, most likely under the guise of “patch” which prevents the license check. Understandably, untrusted programs are very hard to distinguish from reliable software, as trojans sometimes have the functionality you need. Try to find information on this program on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal way is not to use such programs at all.
• And finally, to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a perfect defense for your PC.

FAQ

🤔 How can I open “.PrOToN” files?Is it possible to open“.PrOToN” files?

There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.PrOToN” files are decrypted.

🤔 The encrypted files are very important to me. How can I decrypt them quickly?

If the “.PrOToN” files contain some really important information, then you probably have them backed up. Otherwise, you might try to employ System Restore. The only question is whether you have saved any Restore Points that would be helpful now. There are other ways to beat ransomware, but they take time.

🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Proton virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?

Absolutely not! Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with active viruses. The virus that has infected your computer is must be still active and it scans your system from time to time to encrypt any new files you might create on your computer after the attack. As it has been said above, the Proton virus comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide criminals with easy access to your system after some time.

🤔 What to do if the Proton ransomware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation key.

If that happened, you need to have a flash memory card with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to execute the procedure. You see, the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encodes any new files created or imported into your computer. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital programs to run upon system boot. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.

🤔 What can I do right now?

Many of the encrypted files might still be within your reach

• If you sent or received your critical files through email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
• You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to give those pictures back to you.
• If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them 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 PC, a laptop, cellphone, memory stick, etc.

USEFUL TIP: You can use file recovery programs² to get your lost data back since ransomware encrypts the copies of your files, removing the original ones. In the video below, you can learn how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the ransomware itself with an anti-malware program.

1. My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
2. Here’s the list of Top 10 Data Recovery Software Of 2023.