VIRUS Ransomware

What is VIRUS Ransomware?

VIRUS Ransomware is a threat that encrypts files and displays a ransom note. Meaning, the malicious application was created for money extortion. If you do not want to fund cybercriminals, you could use your backup copies (e.g., files on cloud storage or removable media devices) to get your data back. The malicious application's ransom note may suggest purchasing decryption tools by contacting the threat’s creators and paying a ransom. Of course, doing so would be risky as hackers are not people that you can trust. This is why we always advise not to pay ransom for victims who fear being tricked. However, before deciding anything, we recommend learning more about this malicious application by reading our full article. Also, if you need guidance while erasing it, you should have a look at our deletion instructions available below this article too.

Where does VIRUS Ransomware come from?

VIRUS Ransomware could come with Spam, unreliable software installers, updates, or any other data received from questionable websites or emails. If you want to be sure that your downloaded/received will be safe to open, you should avoid downloading them from untrustworthy sources. Most importantly, we recommend scanning files before launching them with a legitimate antimalware tool. It is essential to make sure that your tool comes from reputable developers and that it is capable of detecting various threats.

How does VIRUS Ransomware work?

The malware’s primary tasks are to encrypt files that could be important to you and to display a message explaining to you how to contact the threat’s developers. VIRUS Ransomware should encrypt files with a robust encryption algorithm. Also, it should append a specific extension to each victim’s data so that it could be easily recognized. For instance, our sample used the .id-3C9E098B.[amandacerny89@aol.com].VIRUS extension. Note that removing this extension will not change anything as files would still remain to be encrypted.

The only way to decrypt the VIRUS Ransomware’s affected files is to use special decryption tools. Sadly, the malicious application’s developers are the only ones who might have them. According to the threat’s ransom note that ought to be displayed on top of a victim’s screen, hackers promise to deliver decryption tools if a ransom is paid. They even offer decrypting a single file free of charge to prove they have such tools. Nonetheless, even if they decrypt your chosen file, it does not guarantee that they will send the promised decryption tools after you make payment. If you believe the malware’s developers could trick you and do not want to risk your money, you may want to concentrate on how to erase VIRUS Ransomware, instead of paying the ransom.

How to remove VIRUS Ransomware?

Erasing VIRUS Ransomware manually could be a challenging task, which is why we recommend taking a look at the deletion instructions offered below this paragraph first. If the process looks too complicated for you, we encourage you to install a legitimate antimalware tool instead. After performing a full system scan, the chosen tool should detect VIRUS Ransomware and other possible threats. You should be able to erase all detections by pressing the given removal button.

Eliminate VIRUS Ransomware

1. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Pick Task Manager and select Processes.
3. Locate a process belonging to the threat.
4. Select it and click End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Click Windows key+E.
7. Locate these paths:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
8. Locate the malicious application’s launcher.
9. Right-click it and select Delete.
10. Navigate to these locations:
    %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %WINDIR%\System32
    %APPDATA%
11. Find files called Info.hta, right-click them and select Delete.
12. Navigate to these specific Startup directories:
    %WINDIR%\System32
    %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
13. Identify suspicious executable files, for example, file.exe; right-click them and choose Delete.
14. Exit File Explorer.
15. Press Windows key+R.
16. Insert Regedit and click Enter.
17. Locate the given directory: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
18. See if there are any value names dropped by the threat, for example, file.exe.
19. Right-click such value names and press Delete.
20. Exit Registry Editor.
21. Empty your Recycle Bin.
22. Restart the computer. Download Removal Tool100% FREE spyware scan and
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