Remove ViluciWare ransomware [+ Decrypt Files]

Simple steps to delete ViluciWare ransomware

ViluciWare ransomware is malicious software that is identified as a ransomware. It is mainly designed to lock down the target system and encodes all stored files, modify their filenames and prevent users from using system by locking the screen. It was discovered by JAMESWT. Simply said, it main functions operates as ransomware and a screenlocker. It also renames all the files by adding .locked extension at the suffix to every encrypted file.

In this trick it makes all the files totally useless for the users. While victims try to open any file then it demands ransom money by the sending scaring ransom note on the desktop. In order to get instructions on how to get decryption key, users are instructed to contact the Imminent #0001 account on Discord. Scammers behind this malware ask user to pay certain amount of ransom money to purchase decryption key or software.

Further, it also threat users to pay the money within the fixed time otherwise all the files will get deleted permanently. It has only motive to create unwanted profit by insisting user to pay ransom for their own files. Quite often, in most of the cases it has been noticed that even after paying money victims do not receive decryption key. So, you should not go for paying ransom money to hackers as you might lose both your files and money.

Text on the locked screen:

ViluciWare

 

You have been taken by the viluci!

 

all your files have been encrypted to unencrypt add Imminent #0001 on discord to get your files and pc back

Should victims pay ransom money?

Victims are strongly recommended not to pay ransom money to the hackers because there is no any proof that it will return your all kinds of encrypted system files just after receiving ransom money. Despite paying money, users are highly suggested to remove ViluciWare ransomware completely from the computer by using some antivirus removal tool.

As soon as malware gets removed, you can recover your files using backup (if created before malware attack and placed it at different locations). In case, backup files are not found you can see whether “Volume Shadow Copies” are available or also has been deleted. The last option for you is to use data recovery tool in order to retrieve all locked files.

How did ransomware install on my PC?

Usually, malicious programs are distributed into your system through email spam campaigns. Cyber crooks behind this use malspam campaigns for it send emails that contain malicious attachments into various formats including exe file, archive files, JavaScript, PDF document and so on. Users install malware when they open malicious file that was downloaded via received email. So, you are highly advised not to open attachment of such dubious files without deeply scanning.

Remove ViluciWare ransomware

Manual malware removal threat might be lengthy and risky so that it requires advanced technical skills to perform virus removal process. Simply, you can install reliable antivirus tool that will help you to take quick and immediate steps to remove ViluciWare ransomware virus automatically from the system.

Threat summary

Name: ViluciWare ransomware

Threat Type: Ransomware, Crypto Virus, Files locker, Skidware, Screen locker

Encrypted Files Extension: .locked

Ransom Demanding Message: Locked screen

Cyber Criminal Contact: Imminent #0001 on Discord

Symptoms: Add .locked extension name to each and every file that it encrypt and demands money in order to allegedly recover them.

Distribution methods: peer to peer file sharing networks, spam email attachments, unsafe hyperlinks, deceptive pop-up ads, corrupted websites and so on.

Damage: Locks and damage the user files and makes it totally useless and inaccessible.

Removal: Scan the PC with reliable anti-malware removal tool.

Data recovery: Use the backup files if you have otherwise you can use data recovery software.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete ViluciWare ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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