Remove VAGGEN ransomware (+ Recover Files)

Proper guide to delete VAGGEN ransomware from PC

VAGGEN ransomware stands for ransomware type infection and was discovered by Marcelo Rivero. This malware is designed to intrude into the targeted PC secretly and locks all the files available on that system. Soon after that, it will encrypt all your personal files by adding “.VAGGEN” extensions to the file names and makes impossible for users to use them. After completing locking process, this ransomware changes the desktop wallpaper, displays a pop-up window and creates “AboutYourFiles.txt” text file.

Information about how to pay ransom is provided in the created text file. As written in this file, the users are instructed to send $80 of Bitcoin to the provided BTC wallet address (1LthWWSd82dKddmHwqhBv8XHiYyU) and then write them an email to employer21protonmail.com address and then wait for decryption tool. Basically, VAGGEN ransomware developers are the only ones that have right decryption tools. However, there are no any third party tools available that could decrypt files encrypted by this ransomware at least not at that time.

In one way  or another, it is never recommended to pay money to the cyber criminals. It is common that after making complete payment to them users do not get any decryption tools. In simple words, we can say  that users who trust cyber hackers often get scammed. Thus, the only way to recover files encrypted by VAGGEN ransomware is to restore them from backup. Due to these reason, it is advised to always have data backed up and store them on remote server or unplugged storage device.

Text presented in VAGGEN ransomware’s wallpaper:

Your files have been encrypted. Access to them is temporarily revoked until a payment is made.

This payment will be made in bitcoin and will be $80 worth of bitcoin. Read the AboutYourFiles.txt file located on your Desktop. It contains the wallet address to send the bitcoin to. It contains your contact, once you have made the payment, email your contact and they will give you a decryption tool and walk through the decryption process.

Failure to make payment = ACCESS REVOKED
FOREVER and further consequences.

Sincerely,
Agent W.

How to recover encrypted files?

There are various methods to recover files encrypted by VAGGEN ransomware.  You may go through it in order to get back lost files without paying money to the cyber criminals.

Restore from previous backup: This methods works if you have created a system backup including personal files and keep in a file recover or an external storage device then you can easily restore your files back and remove the virus.

Shadow Volume Copies: In case, backup files are not available then you can see whether “Volume Shadow Copies” (temporary backup files created by OS for the short period of time) are available or also have been deleted by VAGGEN ransomware.

Data recovery software: It also helps you to recover ransomware encrypted files. In case, you failed to backup the file or the computer has no restore point then you can use this option to restore encrypted files.

Intrusion methods of VAGGEN ransomware:

There are number of methods used by cyber criminals to distribute VAGGEN ransomware into system. The most common one is spam email methods. The criminals may describe the spam email methods by sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachment or click on certain download links. Opening such files or clicking on such harmful links may severely harm the PC. Secondly, injection of this malware takes place by methods of Trojans that privately gets injected into the device and set up malicious tools without having user’s permission.

Thirdly, third party software updating tools, this tool are designed to infect machine either by installing malware instead of any updating or fixing or by exploiting bugs or flaws of outdated software. Last but not the least, the malware can be installed through untrustworthy file and software download channels. It happens when users download and executes such malicious files. Usually, such  files are disguised as legitimate and useful. Some examples of download channels that are used to distribute malware are third party downloader/installer, p2p sharing networks (torrent clients), free file hosting sites and others.

How to prevent intrusion of ransomware infections?

First of all, be careful when you browse the web and specifically while downloading and installing free apps. It is recommended not to open suspicious email attachments especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you. It is important to update installed programs with tools that are provided by their official developers. None of the third party tools are reliable or trustworthy as they are often designed to install malware. Avoid using aforementioned software download sources for downloading any software as they likely offers rogue apps. The safest way is to use official, trustworthy websites and via direct download links. Moreover, install reputable antivirus software and keep that software up-to-date to perform regular system scan.

Threat specification

Name: VAGGEN ransomware

File Extension: .VAGGEN

Type: Ransomware, Cryptovirus, Files-locker virus

Short Description: Encrypts files on your computer and extorts a ransom fee for their recovery.

Ransom demanding message: Desktop wallpaper, AboutYourFiles.txt, pop-up window  

Ransom Amount: $80 in Bitcoin

Cyber criminal contact: [email protected]

Symptoms: Important files are locked and renamed with .VAGGEN extension. You see a ransom message that forces you to contact hackers for a decryption tool.

Distribution Method: Infected email attachments, torrent websites, malicious ads, porn or torrent sites, suspicious links and many more.

Removal: Use Spyhunter to remove VAGGEN ransomware immediately from the machine. Once PC gets cleaned, you can recover your files using backup or data recovery tool.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete VAGGEN ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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