Remove Picocode ransomware

About this malware

Picocode ransomware is a type of malicious software that will locks your data and lead to serious damage. Ransomware in general is considered to be a highly dangerous threat because of its behavior. Ransomware scans for specific files, which will be encrypted as soon as it’s launched. Photos, videos and documents are among the most targeted files due to how valuable to victims they are. The key required to decrypt files is in the possession of crooks behind this malware. In certain cases, a decryptor might be developed for free by malicious software analysts, if they are able to crack the ransomware. If backup isn’t available and you have no other option, you might as well wait for that free decryption utility.

In addition to finding files encrypted, a ransom note will also be placed on your PC. The note will clarify that your files have been encrypted and how you might get them back. We aren’t going to stop you from buying the decryptor, but that option is not encouraged. A much more likely scenario is hackers taking your money but not providing a decryptor in exchange. Your money would go towards making future malware. A better investment would be backup. You can just terminate Picocode ransomware if you had taken the time to create backup.

You probably opened a contaminated email attachment, or downloaded something malicious, and that’s how it managed to gain access into your device. Those two methods are behind a lot ransomware infections.

Download Removal Toolto remove Picocode ransomware

How is ransomware distributed

You could get infected in a couple of different ways, but as we’ve mentioned above, spam email and false updates are possibly how you got the infection. You’ll need to be more careful with spam emails if email was how you got the contamination. Always thoroughly check the email before opening the file added. Quite often, known company names are used since that ought to make users feel more safe. For example, they could pretend to be Amazon and say that the attached file is a purchase receipt. If the sender is actually who they say they are, it will not be difficult to check. You simply have to check if the email address matches any that belong to the company. What we also suggest you do is scan the file with a credible malware scanner.

If you are certain spam email isn’t to blame, fake software updates could also be responsible. Quite often, you might run into false update notifications when visiting suspicious websites, forcing you into installing something quite annoyingly. It’s also not uncommon for those false update notifications to appear via advertisements or banners. Nevertheless, because those alerts and advertisements seem very bogus, people who know how updates work will not fall for it. If you do not want your device to be full of junk or infected with malicious software, never download anything from dubious sources. If you’ve set automatic updates, updates will happen automatically, but if you need to manually update something, the program will alert you.

What does this malware do

You likely already know what happened to your files. While you may have missed this happening, but the encryption process started soon after you opened the malware file. A specific file extension will pinpoint files that have been locked. Because a powerful encryption algorithm was used, you will not be able to open the encrypted files so easily. Information about how your files can be recovered will be given in the ransom note. Ransom notes ordinarily follow a certain pattern, include threats about files being removed forever and explain how to restore them by making a payment. While crooks may be right when they say that it isn’t possible to decrypt files without their aid, paying the ransom is not recommended. It is not likely that the people to blame for your file encryption will feel any obligation to help you after you pay. Criminals might also recall that you paid and target you again, thinking you will pay a second time.

It may be the case that you’ve uploaded at least some of your files somewhere, so look into that. In the future, malicious software researchers may make a decryption tool so backup your encrypted files. Eliminate Picocode ransomware as quickly as possible, no matter what you do.

Hopefully, this will serve as a lesson for you to routinely back up your files. Otherwise, you might end up in the same exact situation again, with the possibility of losing your files looming over you. Backup prices vary depending in which form of backup you pick, but the purchase is certainly worth it if you have files you wish to keep safe.

Picocode ransomware elimination

It isn’t encouraged manual removal, unless you’re an advanced user. Acquire anti-malware to clean your system, instead. The ransomware may prevent you from running the malware removal program successfully, in which case you need to launch your device in Safe Mode. Scan your device, and when it’s detected, terminate Picocode ransomware. Ransomware elimination won’t help with file recovery, however.

Download Removal Toolto remove Picocode ransomware

Learn how to remove Picocode ransomware from your computer

• Step 1. Remove Picocode ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.
• Step 2. Remove Picocode ransomware using System Restore
• Step 3. Recover your data

Step 1. Remove Picocode ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.
• b) Step 2. Remove Picocode ransomware.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

b) Step 2. Remove Picocode ransomware.

You will now need to open your browser and download some kind of anti-malware software. Choose a trustworthy one, install it and have it scan your computer for malicious threats. When the ransomware is found, remove it. If, for some reason, you can't access Safe Mode with Networking, go with another option.

Step 2. Remove Picocode ransomware using System Restore

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
• b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

1. You will need to type in cd restore in the window that appears. Press Enter.
2. Type in rstrui.exe and again, press Enter.
3. A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again.
4. Press Yes.

While this should have taken care of the ransomware, you might want to download anti-malware just to be sure no other threats are lurking.  

Step 3. Recover your data

• a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.
• b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions
• c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

While backup is essential, there is still quite a few users who do not have it. If you are one of them, you can try the below provided methods and you just might be able to recover files.

a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.

1. Download Data Recovery Pro, preferably from a trustworthy website.
2. Scan your device for recoverable files.
3. Recover them.

b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions

If you had System Restore enabled, you can recover files through Windows Previous Versions.

1. Find a file you want to recover.
2. Right-click on it.
3. Select Properties and then Previous versions.
4. Pick the version of the file you want to recover and press Restore.

c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

If you are lucky, the ransomware did not delete your shadow copies. They are made by your system automatically for when system crashes.

1. Go to the official website (shadowexplorer.com) and acquire the Shadow Explorer application.
2. Set up and open it.
3. Press on the drop down menu and pick the disk you want.
4. If folders are recoverable, they will appear there. Press on the folder and then Export.

* SpyHunter scanner, published on this site, is intended to be used only as a detection tool. More info on SpyHunter. To use the removal functionality, you will need to purchase the full version of SpyHunter. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, click here.