How to remove VIPxxx ransomware and recover encrypted files

Complete tips to delete VIPxxx ransomware and restore files

VIPxxx ransomware is a ransomware-type infection, designed to encrypt stored files and then demand ransom payment for the decryption. During encryption process, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files with .VIPxxx extension, plus victims’ ID number and [email protected] email address attached to them. For example, a file “1.jpg” would appear as “1.jpg.[ID-C279F237].[[email protected]].VIPxxx”, “2.jpg” as “2.jpg.[ID-C279F237].[[email protected]].VIPxxx”, and so on.

After that, the ransomware creates RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt text file and drops it on each of the affected folder. This file contains ransom demanding message. According to it, the victims need to pay certain amount of cryptocurrency for a decryption tool that helps in files recovery. The ransom message contains two email addresses – [email protected] and [email protected] belong to the crooks. It instructs users to use any of the two email address and establish connection to the crooks behind it and wait for the further instructions.

Full text presented in VIPxxx ransomware’s created ransom note:

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail [email protected]

or: [email protected](Backup mail)

send us your Key Identifier

and

Personal ID

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Free decryption as a guarantee

Before paying, you can send 1-2 files for free decryption. File format: txt doc pdf jpeg jpg gif png bmp Total file size should not exceed 2 MB (without archive)

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You can buy Bitcoins here: hxxps://localbitcoins.com

Or use the search how to buy Bitcoins in your country

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IMPORTANT!!!

Remember that your files are encrypted and only WE can recover them!

Do not try to recover yourself, as well as on third-party resources, you will lose your files and money forever!

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Key Identifier:

–

It is likely that after being contacted, victims receive the information like the price of the decryption tool, address where the money is to be transferred and instruction on how to use the decryption tool. However, we highly instruct you not to contact/ pay to the crooks under any circumstances. Don’t fall for the trick for the free decryption service that the crooks offer, they might decrypt the tested file to motivate you to proceed to money transfer. However, once the payment is received, they just disappear, leaving the victims without their files.

To avoid getting scammed, you need to look for some alternative for the files recovery. The best option is to use existing backup you have in the form of external storage USB drives. However, before using this, make sure that you remove VIPxxx ransomware from the system so that it will not interfere during the files recovery process. Below the post, you will find complete stepwise guide on how the removal process is to be done. After doing this successfully, use the backup and restore the files. If there is no backup option you have, use Shadow Copies or data recovery tools – for more detailed guide on files recovery, check below the data recovery section.

How did VIPxxx ransomware infiltrate my computer?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed through phishing emails, Trojans, fake software updaters, questionable sources for downloading files, programs and software cracking tools. Users infect their systems through phishing emails when they open malicious attachments or files that have downloaded through website links in them. The examples of the files attached to the emails are malicious Microsoft Office, PDF documents, Archive files, executable files and JavaScript files and so on. Trojans are malicious malware especially designed to cause chain infections.

Fake software updaters distribute malware either by directly installing malware instead of updating, fixing the installed software or by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software installed on the computer. Untrustworthy downloading channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers often spread malware by presenting it as legit software. Software cracking tools are unofficial tools that are supposed to bypass activation keys for paid software. They cause system infection instead.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Attachments and links in any irrelevant emails received from suspicious, unknown senders should never be opened, clicked. Crooks often use such emails to deliver malware. Installed software should be needed to be updated using tools/ functions provided by official software developers only. Third party, unofficial tools can be malicious. Another issue is that neither the cracking tools nor pirated software are legal to use. Furthermore, programs should always be downloaded from official, trustworthy sites and via direct links. Avoid aforementioned untrustworthy downloading channels that often spread malware by presenting it as legit software.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete VIPxxx ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove VIPxxx 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 VIPxxx ransomware using “System Restore”

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