How to remove Avalon ransomware and recover encrypted files

Easy tips to delete Avalon ransomware and decrypt data

Avalon ransomware is a ransomware-type infection discovered by GrujaRs. The malware is designed to encrypt stored files and then demand ransom payment for the decryption. It encrypts the files using AES encryption algorithm and encrypts the AES key using RS Algorithm. During the files encryption process, it renames the filenames of each of the encrypted files using .avdn extension. For example, a file 1.jpg would become 1.jpg.avdn, 2.jpg become 2.jpg.avdn and so on. Upon that, the ransomware creates “[random_numbers]-readme.html” file containing ransom demand and drops it on each folder containing encrypted files. The malware changes the desktop wallpaper as well.

The message within the HTML file states that the Avalon ransomware performs files encryption on targeted systems due to which all stored files including databases, photos, documents and other important files are inaccessible/ unusable. As per the message, it is not possible to decrypt them using software named “Avaddon General Decryptor”. To purchase this software from the crooks behind it, the users are asked to follow the instructions provided a website that can be opened through Tor web browser. The website is likely to contain the information like the cost of the aforementioned decryption tool, how much time the victims have to purchase without the increase in the price to become double and various other details.

It is stated that the decryption software cost the amount equivalent to 0.05346968 BTC and the users have only 7 days and 12 hours to get it on the same amount. The amount will be doubled if the time elapsed. Victims are promised to be received the decryption once the payment is submitted. We strongly recommend you not to pay/ contact to the crooks under any circumstances – it is likely that they will not send you any decryption tool, even if you fulfill all their demands. In other word, if you pay, you will be scammed – you will suffer financial loss and have the files remain encrypted. Therefore, you should think of some alternatives for the files recovery. Before that, you should remove Avalon ransomware from the system to avoid further files encryption and getting interference from the threat during the files recovery process.

The sole solution to recover the files is to use existing backup. This backup should be the one created before the system attack and was no way in contact with the infected system during the files encryption process is done. If you have the one, use it and restore the files to their earlier accessible condition. If not, once check if shadow copies are available – the proper guide of doing this is provided below the post in the data recovery section. Other data recovery option is third party data recovery tool that will work when the Avalon ransomware is designed to delete the shadow copies by running certain commands.

How did Avalon ransomware infiltrate my system?

Users often infect their systems with malware through malspam campaigns, unofficial software activation tools and fake software updates, dubious files and software downloading channels and Trojans. Crooks use mal-spam campaigns to proliferate in malware by sending emails with malicious attachments or website links. They try to trick people into executing these files by disguising the letters as important, official and legitimate. When recipients open the malicious files, they cause the installation of malware. The virulent files could be in any formats including malicious Microsoft Office documents, executable files, JavaScript, PDF documents and Archives.

Users can infect their systems when they use various unofficial, third party activation tools to activate licensed software. These tools supposedly bypass activation keys for paid software. However, they often cause malware download/ installation instead. The same applies for third party updaters as well- rather than providing updates for any software, they often install malicious malware. They can exploit bugs/ flaws of installed software that are outdated. Malicious malware can also get downloaded through untrustworthy downloading channels like p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers. These sources present some malicious malware as legitimate. This tricks people to download/ install the malware on system. Trojans can be used to spread malware as well. Once installed it, they create chain infection on infected systems.

Text in this HTML file:

Your network has been infected by Avaddon

All your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted and you are not able to decrypt it by yourself. But don’t worry, we can help you to restore all your files!

The only way to restore your files is to buy our special software – Avaddon General Decryptor. Only we can give you this software and only we can restore your files!

You can get more information on our page, which is located in a Tor hidden network.

How to get to our page

Download Tor browser – hxxps://www.torproject.org/

Install Tor browser

Open link in Tor browser – avaddonbotrxmuyl.onion

Follow the instructions on this page

Your ID:

–

DO NOT TRY TO RECOVER FILES YOURSELF!

DO NOT MODIFY ENCRYPTED FILES!

OTHERWISE, YOU MAY LOSE ALL YOUR FILES FOREVER!

How to prevent ransomware intrusion?

All software should have to be downloaded from official websites and direct links. Third party downloaders, installers and other channels are often used to spread malware. Installed software should have to be updated/ activated using tools/ functions from official software developers. Unofficial, third party updating and activation tools should never be used for that. It is illegal to activate licensed programs with cracking tools. Do not open any attachments or links in any irrelevant emails received from suspicious, unknown addresses. Open the email content only when there is no doubt on safety.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Avalon ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Avalon ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Avalon ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete Avalon ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Avalon ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Avalon ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Avalon ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Avalon ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by Avalon ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Avalon ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Avalon ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Avalon ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Avalon ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.