A_Princ@aol.com ransomware / virus
A_Princ@aol.com virus Removal Guide
What is A_Princ@aol.com ransomware virus?
What is known about A_Princ@aol.com ransomware virus?
A_Princ@aol.com virus is a ransomware-type of infection that can sneak into the computer and cause lots of problems. It seems that the virus is created by using the same template as Opencode@india.com, Radxlove7@india.com, and Makdonalds@india.com ransomware. Similarly to the mentioned parasites, A_Princ@aol.com encrypts files and asks to pay the ransom. The program uses RSA-2048 encryption key for file encryption. Unfortunately, the only possibility to decrypt the files is to buy a decryption key from the hackers. There are still no third-party decryption tools that can help victims to restore their data. We do not recommend contacting the criminals and paying the ransom. Cyber security specialists claim that usually crooks ignore the victims and do not bring their files back. So, you risk wasting your money and time. It is more reasonable to dedicate your efforts to the A_Princ@aol.com removal. We recommend employing reputable software like FortectIntego for the job.
Once this ransomware gets into the computer, it starts encrypting all type of files, except for the system files – the hackers need your computer running. The virus puts {a_princ@aol.com}.xtbl extension to all encrypted files and additionally creates .txt and .jpg files. .jpg image becomes the victim’s new desktop background and informs about the encrypted data, while the .txt file features a more detailed ransom note in a written form. The ransom note is written in Russian language, so we can presume that A_Princ@aol.com ransomware is location-based and targets Russian-speaking countries. In the ransom note, hackers provide an email address and claim that victim has only 48 hours to contact them and pay the ransom. Talking about the size of the ransom, it seems that crooks reveal it only after they are contacted directly. As we mentioned before, associating with the hackers and paying the money is risky. The criminals are only waiting for you to pay up and can quickly disappear once the transaction is made, leaving you empty-handed. Besides, there are other ways you can try to recover your data, but you should remove A_Princ@aol.com at first.
How can this virus sneak into my computer?
Mostly, ransomware viruses spread via spam or malicious emails. To prevent A_Princ@aol.com virus and other parasites from getting into your computer, you should always open emails carefully. Often A_Princ@aol.com hijack occurs when the user downloads an attachment from a suspicious email. Bear in mind that hackers are clever and creative. They will try to convince you that the attachment is some very important file. They can pretend to be representatives from reliable companies and ask you to fill a particular survey, check your bank account or inform you about some mistake that should be corrected immediately. If you receive an email like this, you should not rush to download the added file. Make sure that senders are the real representatives of an institution they claim. Many organizations publish contact information publicly, so you can always check if the email addresses match. You can always contact the institution directly and get their confirmation.
A_Princ@aol.com ransomware removal instructions
Even if you cannot restore your lost data, you can still remove A_Princ@aol.com from your PC. To get rid of the virus, you will need a professional anti-spyware program that can detect and delete virus with all of its components. Make sure you are using the latest version of the antivirus because outdated versions might not detect the A_Princ@aol.com virus. Bear in mind that malware removal tools are not able to decrypt the locked files. Data recovery is a more complicated task because an official decryptor has not been invented yet. Unfortunately, no one can assure that this tool will be created in the future. Hopefully, you have some backup files stored on external drive. If not, maybe this ransomware attack will be a good lesson that you should backup your data regularly. After you take care of the A_Princ@aol.com removal, you should start thinking about alternative ways to protect your data in the future.
Getting rid of A_Princ@aol.com virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Remove A_Princ@aol.com using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
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Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of A_Princ@aol.com. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from A_Princ@aol.com and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
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