Remove Vapo Ransomware

Vapo Ransomware : An Overview

Vapo Ransomware is a very dangerous and worrying infection as it practically destroys your files, and there is nothing you can do about it. Unfortunately, one cannot guarantee that payment will resolve the issue. In this post, we will discuss this suspected infection and its activity. After reading the article, you can freely use our instructions that will help you to remove it.

What is Vapo Ransomware

Vapo Ransomware is a data locking malware which is a variant of Xorist family. Apart from locking files and ransacking data for hostage, it also resets the victim’s desktop and changes the set wallpaper with that of ransom note. It holds files for ransom and demands ransom fee in Bitcoins. The hackers uses free Trojan creating program for crafting Vapo Ransomware. It requires no programming skills or knowledge for creating Vapo Ransomware as new variant of Xorist family. However it can target and encrypt almost all files such as documents, spreadsheets, music, videos, images etc which are saved and stored on PC. It renames and changes the extension by appending .VaPo as extension. Suppose if image file with name image.jpeg will be appended as image.jpeg.VaPo. As far as the Ransom note is concerned, victims will soon recieve ransom note stating that their PC is compromised with Vapo Ransomware through text file HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt as well as pop-ups confirming the same.

It further demands a ransom fee equivalent of 0.04 Bitcoin along with email address, wallet and other links of crypotocurrency websites. The email id of hackers is mentioned in the note as [email protected]. Victims are also promised that if they pay the ransom amount their data and files would be decrypted via private keys and decryption tool which would be sent to them by hackers. However victims are advised not to succumb to the pressure tactics of Vapo Ransomware and hackers behind this data locking Trojan. Unfortunately there is no decryption tool as of now which can be used to decrypt and unlock files and restore them. So in order to restore the files firstly users need to remove Vapo Ransomware and then secondly they have to use backup of the data to restore the locked files. To pay the ransom for the sake of data is not wise from any angle as there is no guarantee that hackers will send the decryption tool.

Threat Analysis

• Name : VaPo Ransomware

• Type : Ransomware, Data Locking Trojan

• Encrypted file: .VaPo File Extension

• Demanded Ransom : 0.4 Bitcoin

• Hacker's email: [email protected]

• Distribution: malspam, email attachments, malicious websites and visiting porn sites

• symptoms: files get locked, renamed with .VaPo extension,  wallpaper or screen background changes with a ransom note.

• Similar threats: Cadq Ransomware

• Removal: Scan your PC with Legit Anti-Malware Tool
  
  

How Vapo Ransomware Infects PC

Malicious campaign and spam emails, downloading files infected with data locking trojan, cracked software are stated to be the main reasons behind such an attack. Sometimes even legit looking documents , PDFs , executable files, fake JavaScript, RAR, ZIP and archive files can end up in delivering Trojan and malware on to the system.

Should Ransom be Paid to Vapo Ransomware Hackers?

It may seem that the infection puts you in a complicated situation, considering that it blocks access to the file and then warns you that it will destroy your files if you try to recover them yourself. If you believe paying ransom fee in Bitcoin which are commonly used as services for the payment of so-called ransom amount for unlocking of the data, you will not be able to get your money back, as it will be collected by criminals. It goes without saying that you should also ignore paying of ransom money as this does not guarantee releasing of decryption tool.

Details of Antimalware with User’s Guide

Click for Windows

Click for Mac

Step 1 Remove Vapo Ransomware using “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2 Delete Vapo Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1 Remove Vapo Ransomware using “Safe Mode with Networking”

Windows XP and Windows 7 users:

First of all Reboot the PC in “Safe Mode”. For this users need to Click on “Start” option and then continuously Tap on F8 during the start process. Then a “Windows Advanced Option” menu will appear on the screen. Now Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the listed options.

This will open a new Windows homescreen and your PC or work-station will be working on “Safe Mode with Networking”.

For Windows 8

First Go to Start Screen. Now type “Advanced” after selecting settings within the searched results Within the “General PC Settings” option, Select “Advanced startup” option. Then click on the “Restart Now” option. This will boot work-station to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Now Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  Then under “Advanced Option Screen”, You need to press on “Startup Settings”. Now again, click on “Restart” button. This will restart PC or Work-station with “Startup Setting” screen. You need to tap F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10

First of all click on Windows logo by clicking on the “Power” icon. This will open a new menu. Select “Restart” by constantly keeping “Shift” button pressed on keyboard. Once the new Window open Select on “Troubleshoot” as advanced option. Within the startup settings users need to press on “Restart” by clicking on F5 button of the keyboard.

Step:2 How To Delete Vapo Ransomware using System Restore

For this you need to log in on the PC which is compromised by Vapo Ransomware. Now open any browser and download legit anti-malware software. Once installed you need to undergo complete system scan. Thereafter remove the infected and suspicious entries which are detected.

Suppose if you are unable to start PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, you need not worry. Try “System Restore” Process

Continuously tap F8 Key during “Startup” and then “Advanced Option” menu will appear. Now from the given list of option you need to select “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and hit on Enter button.

Within new open window of command prompt, type “cd restore” and then click “Enter”

Now type rstrui.exe and then press “ENTER”

In the new opened Window Click on “Next” option.

You can select and choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on Next (This would restore your PC to earlier period before Vapo Ransomware invasion when it was working fine.)

Press on “Yes” in new opened Window.

As soon as your PC gets restored to its previous time, download the suggested anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Vapo Ransomware infected files if still present on the the work-station.

If you want to restore each file separately which is infected by this ransomware, kindly use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This step is most effective whenever “System Restore Function” is enabled on the PC or work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Vapo Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” so in such cases this feature may not work all the time and will work in specific cases only.

Know How To Restore Encrypted Files Individually

If you want to restore an individual file, you need to right click on it and then go to “Properties”. Now Select “Previous Version” tab. then Choose a “Restore Point” and finally click on “Restore” option.

If you want to access the files encrypted by Vapo Ransomware, alternatively you can try “Shadow Explorer”. To know more details on this application, Click here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are very devastating and hence it is always better to take necessary precautions to avoid any attack on your work-station or PC. We recommend using a powerful anti-malware tool for real time protection.  “SpyHunter”, “Enigma group policy objects” are enabled in the registries so that it can block harmful infections such as Vapo Ransomware.

Also, it is highly important to get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” installed on Windows 10. This would ensure to offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature to block any kind of encryption of the data files. Using this feature all the files stored in their default locations are safe.

How To Recover Files Encrypted by Vapo Ransomware

You would have understood now that how you can remove the scripts and payloads of personal files that got encrypted due to Vapo Ransomware in order to protect your personal files which were fortunately not damaged or encrypted till now. If you are unable to retrieve the locked files, using “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” you must try using a Data Recovery Software.

Step 1: Download Data Recovery Software

Step 2: Double click to execute the installer file on your PC

Step 3: Click to Accept to agree the terms and agreement.

Step 4: Once installed, this program will be ready to execute. Now select the file you want to recover

Step 5: Select the drive on which the recovery tool is to be run upon. Then click on Scan option

Step 6: This will show Scan in progress bar

Step 7: Select the location to save the recovered files and data.