How to remove AvosLocker Ransomware: Restore locked files

Easy methods to delete AvosLocker Ransomware in Windows 10/8/7 computer

AvosLocker Ransomware or ‘.avos File Virus’ is very dangerous file virus considered as Ransomware. This dubious malware is made using AES-256 encryption algorithm technique by cybercriminals. It operates by encrypting all types of files including images, audios, videos, games, pdf, ppt, xlx, css, html, text, documents, databases, and other formats of files stored in your computer hard drive. In sort, you can’t access or open your locked files anymore due to its dubious behaviors. This file virus initiates its infections by blocking all security tools installed in computer.

Due to blocked security tools, cybercriminals behind this ransomware attempts to make several unwanted modifications in your browser’s settings and/or system’s settings without your knowledge. The main motive of attackers behind this attack is to lock your all personal files stored in computer. It modifies each file by appending ‘.avos’ File Extension. For example, it renames ‘1.png’ filename to ‘1.png.avos’. After encryption process is finished, ‘GET_YOUR_FILES_BACK.txt’ text files as ransom notes are dropped into each folder of your computer that contains locked files.

The text presented in ransom note states that all files stored in computer hard drive have been locked with some powerful encryption algorithm technique and requires paying certain amount of ransom money in Cryptocurrency to restore your locked files. The ransom note instructs visiting linked website via ‘Tor browser’ to get more information. It also states that you need to enter unique ID assigned to you into the webpage, and you can establish the contact with cybercriminals via Live-Chat option on the webpage.  As proof that they can provide right decryption, they offer you some free decryption service and ask you to send one locked image file within 1MB of size.

After free decryption test successful, they force you to pay demanded ransom money in Monero cryptocurrency to decrypt all files. They demand 888.89 XMR (Monero Cryptocurrency) for the decryption. Keep in mind that, they are not going to recover your locked files even when ransom money is paid. So, we recommended you not to pay any amount of ransom money to them for the decryption. If you really want to recover your locked files, then at first you should try to find and remove AvosLocker Ransomware related malware in computer. After malware or ransomware removal, you can try to restore your locked data.

How did you get AvosLocker Ransomware in Windows 10/8/7 computer?

In most cases, ransomware-type malware is distributed through spam email campaign or malspam campaign. Scammers or malware programmers send spam emails in your mailbox which contain some messages along with suspicious hyperlinks/attachments. The attachments can be Microsoft Office Documents, ppt, xlx, css, html, PDF, RAR, ZIP, JavaScript or other formats of files. Once opened, it executes certain codes/scripts to infect your computer with malware or viruses. For example, Microsoft Office Documents as malicious attachments infect computer by enabling malicious commands.

How to protect your system against Ransomware?

It is strongly recommended not to open any attachments or hyperlinks presented in spam or irrelevant emails. You should check if ‘Anti-Spam Filter’ feature is enabled in your mail service you use. Some antivirus software also offer this feature and it is enabled by default. ‘Anti-Spam Filter’ feature when enabled in your mail service, all spammy emails will automatically deliver to ‘Spam’ folder of your mail service. Additionally, you should keep up-to-date your operating system and all other software installed in computer, and run regular system scan for malware or viruses in computer with some powerful antivirus software.

Let’s take a look at ransom note:

Attention!

Your files have been encrypted using AES-256.

We highly suggest not shutting down your computer in case encryption process is not finished, as your files may get corrupted.

In order to decrypt your files, you must pay for the decryption key & application.

You may do so by visiting us at hxxp://avos2fuj6olp6x36.onion.

This is an onion address that you may access using Tor Browser which you may download at hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/

Details such as pricing, how long before the price increases and such will be available to you once you enter your ID presented to you below in this note in our website.

Hurry up, as the price may increase in the following days. If you fail to respond in a swift manner, we will leak your files in our press release/blog website accessible at hxxp://avos53nnmi4u6amh.onion/

Message from agent: We have exfiltrated confidential documents, passports scans, social security numbers and financial documents. All data will be leaked if you do not cooperate!

Your ID: –

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove AvosLocker Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete AvosLocker Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove AvosLocker 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 AvosLocker Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with AvosLocker 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 AvosLocker 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 AvosLocker 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 AvosLocker 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 AvosLocker 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 AvosLocker 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 AvosLocker 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 AvosLocker 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 AvosLocker 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.