Remove PLAM Ransomware Virus (DECRYPT .plam FILES)

remove plam ransomware virus and decrypt your files

PLAM ransomware aims to lock your personal files and extort you

Contents

PLAM ransomware aims to lock your personal files and extort you
- _readme.txt note demands a ransom for file decryption
- THREAT SUMMARY
Ransomware distribution explained
Remove PLAM ransomware virus safely and restore your files
Decrypt PLAM files
Frequently Asked Questions

PLAM ransomware is the 280th variant of STOP/DJVU file-encrypting virus. Once installed on the system, this malicious program uses RSA algorithm to encrypt all files on the system, such as personal photos, videos, music, work documents, archives and more. The virus marks encrypted files with .plam extension and drops _readme.txt note in containing folder. For example, file called 1.jpg becomes 1.jpg.plam after the cyber attack, making changes more noticeable for the victim. The said ransom note briefly explains what happened, and offers a solution – the victim has to pay a ransom worth $490-$980 in Bitcoin for cybercriminals to receive a working file decryption software and key. For instructions how to transfer the money, criminals leave two contact emails – helpmanager@mail.ch and helpmanager@airmail.cc.

PLAM ransomware is dangerous not only because it encrypts files; it installs a password-stealing malware on the system, namely AZORULT. This is extremely dangerous because this Trojan is made to grab sensitive information from victim’s computer, such as login credentials, cryptocurrency and banking details from victim’s computer and browser-saved data. Collected information gets transferred to criminals’ Command&Control server. To prevent the victim from searching for attack-related information online, the virus modifies Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of restricted domains to it.

Ransomware victim finds out that all files have been encrypted, and each folder now contains _readme.txt ransom note.

_readme.txt note demands a ransom for file decryption

The sole aim of PLAM ransomware is to virtually extort the potential victim by making his/hers personal data inaccessible, as explained in the dropped ransom notes _readme.txt. What is not mentioned in this note is that the virus deleted Volume Shadow Copies, making it impossible to recover data using Windows in-built tools.

The note delivers a short message from the criminals and victim’s personal ID in it. According to the message, the victim needs to write to the ransomware developers via provided emails to get instructions how to transfer the ransom payment. They also suggest urging a bit, stating that the ransom price will be 50% lower if the victim contacts and pays the ransom within 3 full days (72 hours). If the victim delays the payment, the price bounces back to full amount – $980. The criminals usually ask to receive ransoms in specific cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, as this guarantees their anonymity.

The ransom note suggests contacting the criminals for further ransom-payment details.

We’d like to remind you that paying a ransom for cybercriminals is not a recommended practice. They might fail to provide you with working tools whatsoever. In addition, paying a ransom is considered a crime in specific countries and can result in penalty. Moreover, we do not recommend paying because this simply motivates the criminals, which is certainly the case with STOP/DJVU versions as there are already 280 variants of them circulating around the web.

We suggest you to remove PLAM ransomware virus safely using instructions provided below. You might also be interested in scanning the system after the removal using RESTORO to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

SCAN WINDOWS SYSTEM

See Full Review

Scan your system for FREE to detect security, hardware and stability issues. You can use the scan results and try to remove threats manually, or you can choose to get the full version of software to fix detected issues and repair virus damage to Windows OS system files automatically. Includes Avira spyware/malware detection & removal engine.

THREAT SUMMARY

Name	PLAM Ransomware Virus
Type	Ransomware; Crypto-malware; Virtual Extortion Tool
Family	STOP/DJVU
Version	280th
Extension	.plam
Damage	The virus RSA-encrypts all personal or work files on the host/network; installs password-stealer; eliminates Volume Shadow Copies; Modifies Windows HOSTS file by adding a restricted domain list
Ransom note	_readme.txt
Ransom demand	$490-$980 in Bitcoin
Distribution	Typically hides in various torrent downloads, typically software cracks and keygens or tools like KMSPico
Detection names	Trojan:Win32/Glupteba (Microsoft), Glupteba.Backdoor.Bruteforce.DDS (Malwarebytes), TR/AD.InstaBot.ysgps (Avira), Gen:Variant.Bulz.311604 (B) (Emsisoft), see all detection name variations on VirusTotal
Removal	Use antivirus or malware removal software to eliminate ransomware from the computer. Then, scan with RESTORO to repair virus damage caused for Windows OS files.

DOWNLOAD RESTORO

Ransomware distribution explained

While most widespread ransomware viruses like DHARMA rely on distribution based on hacked RDP ports, STOP/DJVU ransomware variants such as PLAM virus, COOS, OMFL and WBXD tend to infect computers in a more simplistic way. Its developers tend to issue new versions from time to time, disguising them as software cracks or keygens, and uploading them to various file sharing websites in a form of torrent. Typically, they tend to disguise them as cracking tools for very popular software, such as Adobe Photoshop, various games and similar.

Such downloads are not only illegal and get marked as malicious even by Windows Defender itself, but infringe copyrights of the legitimate software developers as well. However, users tend to ignore security software warnings for cracks as they often believe these alerts are ‘false positives’ and there is nothing to worry about. Sadly, this often results in installation of malware or silent backdoors or password-stealers. Truth to be told, it costs way less to purchase legitimate software versions than pay ransoms for greedy cybercriminals.

Other well-known ransomware distribution channels are malicious email spam and fake online ads. Speaking of malspam, cybercriminals tend to inject malicious script in various files, such as .docx or .pdf, and distribute them via email, asking the victim to view the attached ‘invoice’ or ‘pending/missing/overdue payment’ information. In these COVID-19 pandemic times, the criminals started actively distributing emails claiming victim can track a parcel using a given link; however, clicking on such unexpected tracking link can result in severe computer infection.

Our recommendation is to stay away from emails you didn’t expect or wait for. Even if the sender looks legitimate, you should check the original email sender or learn how to identify a spoofed email address. Moreover, look out for other red signs such as grammar errors of off-looking logos.

Finally, ransomware can hide in a form of a fake Adobe Flash Update ad, which you can encounter on highly untrustworthy websites. Therefore, make sure you download Adobe updates from its official website only if you do not want to risk infecting your computer with PLAM ransomware virus.

Remove PLAM ransomware virus safely and restore your files

Remove PLAM ransomware virus using simple yet professional instructions provided below. You should begin by booting your PC in Safe Mode with Networking and then scanning your PC with chosen anti-malware program. To finalize the removal, scan with our recommended software RESTORO to repair damage caused on Windows OS files (such as HOSTS file).

After completing PLAM ransomware removal, you should begin restoring your files using a data backup, or try suggested file recovery/repair tools. The guide given below explains how to understand decryptor’s messages. In addition, we recommend changing all of your passwords for accounts saved in your browser, and reporting cybercrime incident via given authority domains below.

OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND

Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system:

STEP 1. REMOVE AUTOMATICALLY WITH ROBUST ANTIVIRUS

REMOVE & PROTECT WITH INTEGO

Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7.. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs.

Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer.

Read full review here.

STEP 2. REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER

DOWNLOAD RESTORO

RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically.

RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them.

Read full review here.

GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

PLAM ransomware virus Removal Guidelines

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Step 1. Start Windows in Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove PLAM ransomware virus virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube.

Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users

First of all, turn off your PC. Then press the Power button to start it again and instantly start pressing F8 button on your keyboard repeatedly in 1-second intervals. This launches the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Use arrow keys on the keyboard to navigate down to Safe Mode with Networking option and press Enter.

Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users

Open Windows Start menu, then press down the Power button. On your keyboard, press down and hold the Shift key, and then select Restart option.
This will take you to Windows Troubleshoot screen. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Tip: If you can't find Startup Settings, click See more recovery options.
In Startup Settings, press the right key between F1-F9 to enter Safe Mode with Networking. In this case, it is the F5 key.

Step 2. Remove files associated with the virus

Now, you can search for and remove PLAM ransomware virus files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus, which also includes data recovery software. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Special Offer

DOWNLOAD AND SCAN

Compatibility: Microsoft Windows
See Full Review

RESTORO is a unique PC Repair Tool which comes with an in-built Avira scan engine to detect and remove spyware/malware threats and uses a patented technology to repair virus damage. The software can repair damaged, missing or malfunctioning Windows OS files, corrupted DLLs, and more. The free version offers a scan that detects issues. To fix them, license key for the full software version must be purchased.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically.

Step 1. Boot Windows in Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users

Shut down your PC. Start it again by pressing the Power button and instantly start pressing F8 button on your keyboard repeatedly in 1-second intervals. You will see Advanced Boot Options menu.
Using arrow keys on the keyboard, navigate down to Safe Mode with Command Prompt option and press Enter.

Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users

Launch Windows Start menu, then click the Power button. On your keyboard, press down and hold the Shift key, and then choose Restart option with the mouse cursor.
This will take you to Windows Troubleshoot screen. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Tip: If you can't find Startup Settings, click See more recovery options.
In Startup Settings, press the right key between F1-F9 to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt. In this case, press F6 key.

Step 2. Start System Restore process

Wait until system loads and command prompt shows up.
Type cd restore and press Enter, then type rstrui.exe and press Enter. Or you can just type %systemroot%system32restorerstrui.exe in command prompt and hit Enter.
This launches System Restore window. Click Next and then choose a System Restore point created in the past. Choose one that was created before ransomware infection.
Click Yes to begin the system restoration process.

After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won't be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense

If you're looking for an all-in-one system maintenance suite that has 7 core components providing powerful real-time protection, on-demand malware removal, system optimization, data recovery, password manager, online privacy protection and secure driver wiping technology. Therefore, due to its wide-range of capabilities, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense deserves Geek's Advice approval. Get it now for 50% off. You may also be interested in its full review.

Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.

Decrypt PLAM files

Fix and open large PLAM files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

Create a copy of encrypted file to a separate folder using Copy > Paste commands.
Now, right-click the created copy and choose Rename. Select the PLAM extension and delete it. Press Enter to save changes.
In the prompt asking whether you want to make the changes as file might become unusable, click OK.
Try opening the file.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. PLAM ransomware virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like VTYM, KQGS, XCBG, BPQD, EYRV, UIGD, VLFF (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie.

Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible.

In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt PLAM files, follow the given tutorial.

Download the decryption tool from Emsisoft.
Click the little arrow next to your download and choose Show in Folder.
Now, right-click the file and choose Run as Administrator. If asked, enter administrator's password.
In UAC window, click Yes.
Click Yes to agree to software terms in both windows.
The tool will automatically include C:// disk as a location to decrypt. The file recovery tool will prepopulate the locations to scan, including connected data storage drives or network drives. Click Add folder if you wish to add additional locations.
In Options tab, you can choose to keep encrypted file copies. We recommend leaving this option selected, especially if you do not know if the decryption tool will work.
Click Decrypt to start restoring PLAM files. You will see the progress in the Results tab. Here, you can see messages from the tool, such as whether the decryption procedure is successful, or you need to wait for an update.
You might also be informed that online key was used to encrypt your files. In such case, the decryption tool won't work for you, and the only way to recover your files is to use a data backup.

Meanings of decryptor's messages

The PLAM decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages:

Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID]

This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor's database.

No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible

This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals is impossible.

Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]
This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn't available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your PLAM extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Report Internet crime to legal departments

Victims of PLAM ransomware virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.
In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.
In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.
In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.
In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.
In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.
In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can't find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up "[your country name] report cyber crime". This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities.

Another recommendation is to contact your country's or region’s federal police or communications authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

✓ How can I open .PLAM files?

You can only open PLAM files if you have the decryption key, or if you were affected by offline encryption type.

✓ How do I know if my files were encrypted with offline or online encryption?

To figure out whether you were affected by offline encryption, please go to C:/SystemID/PersonalID.txt and see if the string inside of it ends in t1. You can also try using Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/DJVU.

✓ My files contain very important information (family memories). Every tool I used says it is impossible to decrypt. What should I do?

Please follow the guidances provided by the official PLAM decryption tools and believe what they say. If they say it is impossible to decrypt, it really is so. There is no magic tool or human capable of decrypting your files hiding somewhere. Encryption is a technique created to be nearly impossible to decrypt without a special private key (held by the criminals).

✓ I am afraid virus is still in my computer system. What should I do?

We advise scanning with anti-virus, anti-malware, malware removal tools or software like RESTORO to eliminate virus damage on the system. If you do not trust using a single tool, try running one after another. However, we do not recommend keeping several security programs on a computer at once as they can interfere with each other's work.

✓ I saw several Youtube videos suggesting secret decryption tools. Can I trust them?

Beware of fake PLAM decryption tools circulating around the web. Cyber criminals are uploading them to various shady websites, also might be promoting them via suspicious Youtube videos. These programs can infect your computer even more heavily (Trojans, miners, etc.). We suggest being extremely cautious around the web. If there will be an official STOP/DJVU decryption tool available, it will be widely discussed in public media.

Norbert Webb

Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.