Remove VASA LOCKER Ransomware

About VASA LOCKER Ransomware

Is your Computer locked by VASA LOCKER Ransomware? VASA LOCKER is a nasty ransomware that has targeted many Companies and Organizations crippling their system. It mostly targets large Companies that solely rely upon data services. But it does not mean that Individual users can’t be a victim of this ransomware. Yes, even individual users can easily be a soft target of VASA LOCKER Ransomware as it can target all the saved files and documents. Which eventually get encrypted. It is que similar to Nov Ransomware as far as data encryption is concerned. It is capable to target and encrypt all the files that are currently in use currently when the system was targeted and compromised by this malware. It make use of various ciphers and cryptographic algorithm such as ECDH key exchange, SHA256, ChaCha8 encryption. Using these encryption techniques it renders the files and makes them useless. It is so nasty in nature that it can kill the running and active processes on compromised PC. This ensures that even the active files get encrypted by VASA LOCKER Ransomware. It targets almost all sorts of data and file processes such as firefox.exe, excel.exe, sql.exe, notepad.exe, Outlook.exe and can wipe and delete copies of Shadow Volume.

Threat Details

• Name: VASA LOCKER Ransomware
• Type: Ransomware
• Symptoms: Locks files and hold it hostage for demanding ransom fee.
• Ransom Note: It is drpopped in form of text file as ‘DECR.TXT’
• Email id: [email protected]
• Encryption: ECDH key exchange, SHA256, ChaCha8 encryption
• Removal: Scan your PC with SpyHunter to detect VASA LOCKER Ransomware

VASA LOCKER Ransomware is a dangerous computer infection that you must remove from your PC once you think your computer is infected. This malware tries tp encipher files, data, Shadow Volume copies of data and locks the files from further access. This infection denies you access to the desktop and displays a false warning across your screen, claiming that your computer has been blocked due to illegal virtual activities all the data will be published on the dark web if there is any delay in the payment of ransom fee. Later, in the middle of the false alert, the most concrete information about the reasons why the computer is no longer operable is presented. It penetrates your computer’s defenses by unlocking your computer

How VASA LOCKER Ransomware Drops Ransom Note

VASA LOCKER Ransomware drops ransom note in form of text files such as ‘DECR.TXT’ and hackers ensure that it gets dropped in ever single folder which is saved on the system that has encrypted and locked files. It bears the instructions that all the files and private data will be accessed by hackers and will be uploaded on public platform and domains if the ransom fee is not paid instantly by the victims. The Ransom note further has contact address in form of email id as [email protected]. It further states that victims can open their email and directly contact hackers by mailing at [email protected] by attaching the personal id which is dropped in the ransom note. However, it is clearly mentioned that files which are locked by VASA LOCKER Ransomware should never be modified or even if its attempted by the victims, the data and files will get permanently damaged and deleted as it can never be restored.

Should you Pay the Ransom?

Even if you feel threatened as you cannot afford to lose your data, there is no need to pay the ransom fine because it will not help you unlock your personal computer. Based on its symptoms and behaviors, it is better not to pay any such fines and neither victims should try to contact hackers of VASA LOCKER Ransomware. Instead they should remove this data locking ransom virus and as far as data is concerned, the data can be restored by using professional data recovery software.

Details of Antimalware with User’s Guide

Click for Windows

Click for Mac

Step 1 Remove VASA LOCKER Ransomware using “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2 Delete VASA LOCKER Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1 Remove VASA LOCKER 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 VASA LOCKER Ransomware using System Restore

For this you need to log in on the PC which is compromised by VASA LOCKER 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 VASA LOCKER 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 VASA LOCKER 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 VASA LOCKER 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 VASA LOCKER 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 VASA LOCKER 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 VASA LOCKER Ransomware

You would have understood now that how you can remove the scripts and payloads of personal files that got encrypted due to VASA LOCKER 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.