Remove Avaad Ransomware and restore encrypted data

Effective methods to delete Avaad Ransomware

Avaad Ransomware is the latest version of the Dharma ransomware, that was discovered by Jakub Kroustek. This malware encrypts file and demand ransom money for the allegedly recover them. Once a file is locked, the file locker will add the extension ‘.id-<VICTIM ID>.[[email protected]].Avaad.’ After finishing this process, ransom demanding message are created in a pop-up window and creates file named FILES ENCRYPTED.txt.

The file warns the victims that their data has been locked and the only way to recover it is to pay for decryption service the criminals offer. To recover files, victims are instructed to contact with the cyber criminals via email. Users are also instructed to use secondary email address if they do not receive response from the criminals within 12 hours. The ransom notes end with warnings.

Users are alerted not to rename encrypted files using third party software as it might results in permanent data loss. Avaad Ransomware creators do not specify the exact amount of the ransom sum, but victims are asked to pay money in the form of Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, in most cases of ransomware infections decryption is impossible without the involvement of the cyber criminals.

We advise you not to pay because the criminals may decide to trick you. Many victims of ransomware attack agreed to pay hoping that they would end up getting their files back but they never heard from the criminals again. Thus, users are advised to use antimalware scanner that has the ability to eliminate the threat. Once the threat is removed, users are recommended to use backup to recover lost files.

Threat summary

Name: Avaad Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, File locking virus

Extension used: .Avaad (files are also appended with unique ID and cyber criminals email address)

Ransom demanding note: pop-up window and FILES ENCRYPTED.txt

Symptoms: The infected files become unusable. An unusual extension is added in the file and a ransom note appears on the screen every now and then

Removal and file decryption: In order to clean the PC, it is advised to scan with strong anti-malware tool. Once the malware is removed, use the backup to retrieve the files.  

Distribution of ransomware infections:

Ransomware and other malware distribution occur commonly through scam campaigns, untrustworthy downloading channels, fake software updater’s and unofficial software activation tools. Spam campaigns are often employed to spread malware. Scam campaigns contain some infectious files/links on them. Such files can be in various formats like as PDF documents, archives, executables and so on. Once they are opened, the infection process is triggered. Fake software updater’s exploits bugs/flaws of outdated programs or by simply installing malicious software. Unofficial software activation tools infect computers by supposedly bypassing activation key for paid software. Finally, untrustworthy downloading channels such as free file hosting sites, p2p networks and third-party installers offer rogue applications.

How to avoid ransomware infections?

• Employ some reputable antivirus tool for real time protection.
• Keep the Windows and installed applications always up-to-date.
• Do not enable any attachments on emails whose sender’s addresses are suspicious, unknown.
• Always rely on official websites and direct links for any software download.
• Backup all important files and keep them on some external device or remote server.

Remove Avaad Ransomware

Manual malware removal guide might be a lengthy and a complicated process that require advanced computer skill. Instead of this, use some reputable antivirus tool to remove Avaad Ransomware automatically from the PC.

Text presented in Avaad Ransomware’s pop-up window:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

Don’t worry,you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID –
If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:[email protected]

Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Text presented in this file:

all your data has been locked us
You want to return?
write email [email protected] or [email protected] 

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Avaad Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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