How to remove Parasite Ransomware and decrypt .parasite, .betarasite or .paras1te files

What is Parasite Ransomware

Parasite is one of the newest ransomware samples detected by cyber experts in recent days. Alike other malware of this type, Parasite encrypts personal data and demands money for the decryption. However, it was found that Parasite has a significant flaw – it encrypts data with the wrong cipher and overwrites data with 256 bytes. This means that all data encrypted by Parasite loses its value completely, simply because it gets replaced with empty space. For example, a word file, which weighs megabytes of data will decrease and start weighing mere 256 bytes. Such a bug instantly shows that Parasite is not able to decrypt your files, simply because they become damaged. Of course, they claim to decrypt them in HOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.txt ransom note (alternatively @READ_ME_FILE_ENCRYPTED@.html or info.hta), which is created after encryption, but it does not make any sense due to the above-mentioned.

Parasite Ransomware also tends to change its appearance and look like well-known malware. Also, one more trait of Parasite Ransomware affecting your system is extensions addition. It changes your files using .parasite, .betarasite, and .paras1te depending on which version attacked your PC. Among other known extensions of this threat are: .paralock, .arazite and .vjiszy1lo. Once you detected ransomware configuring your PC, it is necessary to remove it in order to stave off further encryption, especially if you know that Parasite damages your files completely. Although there is no way to decrypt them, you can try to restore some copies created by Windows using third-party tools. The information and instructions on them are shown below.

How Parasite Ransomware infected your computer

Since there is too little information about Parasite Ransomware, not a lot is known on how it attacks your system. In most cases, however, ransomware developers use e-mail spam messages with malicious attachments to infect inexperienced users. Other channels include trojans, fake software cracking tools, keyloggers, botnets, and so forth. To prevent them from reaching your PC, it is important to take attentive steps whilst using the web. Using additional instruments like AdBlocker also would make sense in that aspect. That is because most malware is distributed through chains of unwanted content, which may lurk in unreliable ads or banners. Down below, we have gathered a list of trusted and proven methods that are effective at combating threats similar to what we mentioned above.

1. Download Parasite Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .parasite, .betarasite or .paras1te files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like Parasite Ransomware

Parasite Ransomware files:


@READ_ME_FILE_ENCRYPTED@.html
HOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.txt
info.hta
{randomfilename}.exe


Parasite Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .parasite, .betarasite or .paras1te files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .parasite, .betarasite or .paras1te files. Download it here:

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .parasite, .betarasite or .paras1te files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don't have to pay.

If you are infected with Parasite Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .parasite, .betarasite or .paras1te files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Parasite Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Parasite Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.