Remove Testpayload Ransomware (+File Recovery)

How to Remove Testpayload Ransomware?

Testpayload is yet another ransomware threat, plaguing users. It slithers into your system via deception and finesse. And, once it settles, you’re in trouble. The infection spreads its corruption throughout. And, leaves you to suffer the consequences of its touch. Upon invasion, it uses encryption algorithm to lock your files. It affects everything you keep on your computer. Pictures, documents, videos, music, archives. Nothing is safe from its reach. The tool adds a specific attachment at the end of each file. Ad, this, solidifies its grip. For example, if you have a picture called ‘me.jpg,’ you’ll find it renamed as ‘me.jp.testpayload.’ Once that extension is in place, you can no longer access your data. You can try to move or rename them, but it won’t help. The ransomware has control over them now. After it’s done encrypting your files, it leaves you a ransom note. It’s pretty standard. The note explains your situation, and leaves you instruction. If you’re to free your files of the ransomware’s hold, you must comply. You have to pay a ransom. When you complete payment, the cyber kidnappers will send you a decryption key. Apply that key, and you’ll release your files from the encryption. There are so many things that can go wrong, before you get your files back. And, even if you do manage to do that, it’s no cause for celebration. Ransomware tools are tricky infections. They’re near-impossible to remove as they spread their nastiness throughout your system. There are traces of their corruption all over. The fight against a ransomware is rigged against you. The sooner you acknowledge that as fact, the better. After Testpayload strikes, you must not pay the ransom. Don’t pay these people a dime! Don’t contact them, or reach out in any way. Cut your losses, and discard your data. Turn your attention to external storage and cloud services. And, create backups for your files. It’s a better alternative than paying cyber extortionists.

How did I get infected with?

Ransomware tools use the old but gold methods to invade. They hitch a ride with corrupted links, sites or torrents. Or, pretend to be bogus updates. Like, Java or Adobe Flash Player. They can use freeware as a way in as most users are pretty careless when installing it. USB drives, and unsafe networks, are also options. And, of course, spam emails provide a way in. Say, you receive an email that seems legitimate. It appears to come from a well-known company, like Amazon. It contains an attachment that you get duped into believing is an invoice. Or, a link that it urges you to click, if you wish to confirm an ‘order.’ If you do, you get stuck with Testpayload. Don’t be naive! Don’t fall for the infection’s trickery. Vigilance can help you avoid allowing cyber threats into your PC, on accident. Always take the time to be thorough. Do your due diligence. Read terms and conditions, look for the fine print, and double-check everything. Caution helps you keep cyber threats out of your system. Carelessness invites them in. Make the right choice, and choose caution.

Why is Testpayload dangerous?

Because of Testpayload, you face a choice. To comply or not. You can either follow the cyber kidnappers’ demands, and hope for the best. Or, say goodbye to your files. Heed experts’ advice, and pick the latter. It may not seem like it at first, but it’s the best course of action, you can take. Here’s why. The infection demands payment in Bitcoin that ranges in amount. It can be anywhere from 500 to 1000 US Dollars. Sometimes, it’s even more. Even if you can afford to pay, you mustn’t. If you make that mistake, you’re left at the mercy of cyber criminals. Think about it. You’re going on a promise. A promise that they will send you the key, you need, after you transfer the requested sum. You have zero guarantees that they will. Can you trust cyber criminals to keep their word? Don’t be naive. These people can double-cross you, and send nothing. Or, send a key that doesn’t work. And, even if they do give you the right key, you’re still not in the clear. The decryption key removes the encryption, not the infection. The ransomware remains. And, it can strike, and put your data under lock-down, once more. Nothing stops it from acting up a week after you pay up. Or, a day. Or, even a minute. The question is, are you willing to risk it? Don’t. Don’t pay, and put your faith into cyber criminals. You’ll get disappointed.

Testpayload Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Testpayload Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with Testpayload encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate Testpayload encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.