How to remove STOP (Puma) Ransomware and decrypt .puma, .pumax or .pumas files

What is Puma Ransomware

Puma Ransomware, that started to hit thousands of computers in November, 2018, is, actually, nothing but another variation of STOP Ransomware. Current version appends .puma, .pumax or .pumas extensions to encrypted files, and that is why it has such nickname. Virus uses the same name for ransom note file: !readme.txt. Developers tried to confuse ransomware identification services and users by adding new extensions, but using the same templates, code and other signs unequivocally indicate belonging to a certain family. As we see from the name of the executable: updatewin.exe, it pretends to be a Windows update. Puma (STOP) Ransomware still uses RSA-1024 encryption algorithm. Current version of Puma Ransomware was developed in Visual Studio 2017. Here are examples of the contents of ransom notes:

Puma Ransomware asks $290 ransom to be paid for decryption. Hackers promise 50% discount, if users pay in 72 hours. At the moment, there are no decryption tools available for Puma Ransomware. You can try to ask for Dr. Web decryption service, or restore from backups. Please, note, that many antivirus companies are working hard on breaking encryption algorithms and searching for vulnerabilities of Puma Ransomware. After some time, decryptor will be, possibly, released. Now you should remove active infection, preserve encrypted files and try different manual methods and recovery software to restore your files. You can also keep your files until decryptor will be released. Read this tutorial to remove Puma Ransomware and decrypt .puma, .pumax or .pumas files in Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7.

How Puma Ransomware infected your PC

Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, using email spam and malicious attachments, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged and infected installers. Puma Ransomware targets MS Office documents, OpenOffice, PDF, text files, databases, photos, music, video, image files, archives and other types of sensitive data. Virus assigns certain ID with the victims, that is used to name those files and supposedly to send decryption key. In order to prevent infection with this type of threats in future we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Norton Antivirus.

How to remove Puma Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Puma Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Puma Ransomware files:


!readme.txt
update.exe
updatewin.exe


Puma Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .puma, .pumax or .pumas files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOPDecrypter (.puma, .pumax and .pumas variations)

This tool was developed by Michael Gillespie. It requires encrypted and original file pair with the size more ~150 Kb. Download it here:

Download Kaspersky Rakhni Decryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .puma, .pumax or .pumas 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.

If you are infected with Puma 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 Phoenix Data Recovery Pro to restore .puma, .pumax or .pumas files

1. Download Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro.
2. Select location to scan for lost files and click Scan button.
3. Wait until Quick and Deep scans finish.
4. Preview found files and restore them.

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 Puma 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

Regardless of success of protection against ransomware threats, you can save your files using simple online backup. Cloud services are quite fast and cheap nowadays. There is more sense using online backup, than creating physical drives, that can get infected and encrypted when connected to PC or get damaged from dropping or hitting. Windows 10 and 8/8.1 users can find pre-installed OneDrive backup solution from Microsoft. It is actually one of the best backup services on the market, and has reasonable pricing plans. Users of earlier versions can get acquainted with it here. Make sure to backup and sync most important files and folders in OneDrive.

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

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.