Remove Vassago Ransomware

All About Vassago Ransomware

Vassago Ransomware is a data locking malware belonging to Makop Ransomware family. It has been reported in the wild. It encrypts data to extort ransom fee from the victims. Once Vassago Ransomware targets and attacks PC, it encrypts all the files by modifying their extension drastically. It is known to use a complex strategy to modify and rename the file name using an unique victim ID, email address of hackers along with specific file extension which is used to rename the original file name. For example image.jpeg would be modified to image.jpeg.[9B83AE24].[[email protected]].vassago. This is the reason why victims cannot access the files which are saved on the PC. Soon after the files are held hostage, hackers drop ransom note on to the compromised PC as text file “readme-warning.txt”.

Details of Ransom Note

The ransom note states that all the data is encrypted and in order to restore the locked files victims need to pay ransom fee to hackers for releasing decryption tool. Also the ransom fee is to be paid in form of Bitcoins which is a cryptocurrency. However the specific amount which is to be paid is no where mentioned in the ransom note. The note bears the email id of hackers as [email protected] or [email protected]. The ransom note contains information in form of little FAQ as What Happened? To this question the answer is stated as all the files have been encrypted with .vassago extension. Although the file or data is not damaged but it is encrypted. It will get unlocked only after the ransom fee is paid to hackers. For sample any two of the encrypted files can be sent for decryption for free. However it should be well below 1 MB as file size. Also it is clearly stated as caution that users should not try to change or modify encrypted files by themselves neither they should use any third party recovery software for restoring files or all the data will get erased permanently.

Threat Summary

Name : Vassago Ransomware
Type: Ransomware, Data File Locker, Crypto Virus
Extension: .vassago file extension
Ransom Note: readme-warning.txt
Email id of hackers: [email protected] and [email protected]
Symptoms / impacts: All the data get encryptecd with .vassago extension
Removal: Scan your PC with legit anti-malware remove Vassago Ransomware

It has been revealed that the Vassago Ransomware virus is closely linked to Makop Family. The It is one of the most common ransomware infections today and is generated for attacking computer users worldwide . According to Ransom note, victims are required to contact the cyber thugs and pay the ransom fee to initiate the recovery process. However, you should not bow to criminals because by paying the ransom in Bitcoins as you will be losing money forever. Even though you may have used all of these systems beneficially in the past, it is a must that you ignore them when dealing with dangerous ransomware infections.

How To Protect your PC from Vassago Ransomware

• One should always be careful while opening emails and attachments received from unknown senders. No matter how legit it might appear to be.
• If you are downloading any attachments don’t forget to have it scanned before access.
• Visit only official website while using net banking or for any financial transactions to prevent any cyber frauds.
• Always keep your antivirus updated so that it can detect even the recent malware and prevent Vassago Ransomware from targeting your PC.

How To Remove Vassago Ransomware

Since Manual steps can be quite cumbersome with the requirement of advanced computing skills, it is suggested to use professional anti-malware to remove Vassago Ransomware.

Details of Antimalware with User’s Guide

Click for Windows

Click for Mac

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

Step 2 Delete Vassago Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1 Remove Vassago 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 Vassago Ransomware using System Restore

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

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