How to remove Vapor ransomware

Vapor ransomware is a cryptovirus that deletes encrypted files when the given time ends

Vapor ransomware — a virus that sends an email after encryption and marks files with .Vapor file extension. This ransomware encrypts data using the AES encryption algorithm and then demand victim to contact the developers to find out how to get your files back. Hackers behind this threat give 48 hours for the victim to write an email and contact them but contacting cybercriminals is not a good idea. Since this is a ransomware virus, people behind the threat focus on money-extortion, and there is little to none possibility that you will get your files decrypted. According to some researches of the Vapor ransomware v1, this malware deletes all encrypted files even before the decryption and without any question.^[1] So the email stating that decryption was successful is a lie. 

Vapor ransomware virus starts its malicious attack by altering the system files and Windows registry keys and adding a main executable file called “the Vapor Ransomwarev1.exe”. The file is responsible for continuous ransomware persistence. All those altered registry keys also keep the ransomware running on the device each time the PC is restarted.  

Then the virus displays a ransom message on the system window called Vapor ransomware which is revealing a lot of additional information. It states about contacting hackers and timer starts running immediately. The ransom message displayed on the screen reads:

the Vapor ransomware 
You Have Been Caught. 
— 
for What Happened the To Me? 
All your private data, files, cookies , application and much more as been encrypted into a strong encryption! 
Only way to of The IT the get back is by sending a support email AT the this email: 
deadhacksteam@gmail.com 
Please the make sure the your Client ID is included SO CAN
we recognise and the send you back the key. 
When its done, enter the key into the key box and enjoy your day / night. 
You have 48 hours to send the email, if the timer runs out your files will be deleted. 
If you restart the PC or kill the program, you will never be able to get your files back since they will be re-encrypted if you re-launch the program.
Basically closing the program in anyway will result in loosing the key. 
– Good Luck, Good Time. 
– DeaDHackS Team!

When the Vapor ransomware completed data locking process^[2], it marks encoded files with .vapor appendix and sends an email. The email is also sent when you enter the alleged decryption key. However, the email is sent before the initial decryption process and states “successfully decrypted”, unfortunately, it is not true.

Since your data, in most cases, going to be deleted, there is no need to try the decryption key that Vapor ransomware offers. Security experts^[3] always note that cybercriminals are not trustworthy and focus on their financial gains. The primary goal of the virus developers is to extort cryptocurrency from you.

You should remove Vapor ransomware and use anti-malware tools for the process. Then focus on data recovery and system cleaning. You can employ FortectIntego for virus damage elimination and general PC repair. 

Vapor ransomware removal can be difficult if you are not advanced in IT, so reboot the device in Safe Mode with Networking and then try to restore your files using backups or use one of our suggested file recovery methods below. Do not forget to clean the system entirely before entering an external device.

The key distribution method is infected documents 

When it comes to ransomware, this is a notorious threat that cannot be detected until some system changes are made. When you are dealing with ransomware, you should note that the main spreading technique is spam email attachments and maliciously infected email attachments.

Microsoft Word or Excel, PDF files get infected with malicious macros and this way when you download the safe-looking document on the device, you get ransomware directly on the device. Unfortunately, malicious actors misuse names of legitimate services and companies to disguise their products. 

Those infected emails look like order information or receipts and invoices, but financial information is not sent via email, especially if you do not use the service at the time. Make sure to pay more attention to email you are not expecting and remove them from the email box ASAP.

Get rid of Vapor ransomware and clean your device right now

If you still consider paying ransomware developers, stop right now and remove Vapor ransomware from the system. Cleaning your computer should be the first step after getting the ransom message. If you let this virus be on your system, it may delete or damage your files permanently. 

Automatic Vapor ransomware removal using anti-malware tools like MalwarebytesMalwarebytes is the best option because it eliminates all related files, the main ransomware payload and additional programs that may affect the performance of your PC.

However, you should consider yet another system scan using FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner to eliminate Vapor ransomware virus damage. This step ensures that your device is optimized and cleaned, so you can plug in any external device or try data recovery tools from down below.