How to remove VAGGEN ransomware

VAGGEN ransomware is a virus designed to lock personal files on your computer and hold them hostage until the ransom is paid

VAGGEN ransomware is a malicious program designed to encrypt all personal data on the computer and then demand ransom for its return. Once inside the system, it encrypts all personal pictures, videos, documents, archives, and other files by using a strong encryption algorithm,^[1] which also appends a .VAGGEN extension in the process. Victims can no longer access these files – they require a unique key which is in possession of cybercriminals behind the ransomware.

Once the encryption is complete, the VAGGEN virus shows a pop-up window, a wallpaper, and drops a ransom note AboutYourFiles.txt – instructions from cybercriminals. It explains to victims what happened to their files and claims that the only way to open them is by paying a ransom for a decryption tool. For negotiation purposes, crooks also provide the email address employer21@protonmail.com.

Moreover, in the ransom note of VAGGEN ransomware cybercriminals provide a BTC wallet address – 1LthWWSd82dKddmHwqhBv8XHiYyU. According to hackers, victims must pay in Bitcoins that are worth $80 if the they want to get a personal decryption tool.

VAGGEN virus is slightly different than other infections. In most cases, ransomware^[2] shows a pop-up window or/and text file for the victim but this particular ransomware drops three messages at once: pop-up, wallpaper, and text file. The pop-up window is very short and only orders to read text file:

Alert

Read the About_Your_Files.txt file on your desktop for info on how to access your files again. Failure to respond will result in access to your important files revoked. Forever. Once you have paid and email us, make sure to mention Agent W in your email.

Wallpaper of VAGGEN ransomware provides more information. It states that all files are encrypted and access to them can be restored only by paying $80 in Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Of course, cybercriminals are trying to scare their victim by writing that files will be lost forever if the user refuses to pay the ransom.

Text in About_Your_Files.txt ransom note provides the information about the BTC wallet address, email address of the VAGGEN ransomware developers, and even shows URL to the guide on how to buy Bitcoins.

The VAGGEN virus ransom note looks like that:

Your important files are encrypted, your acecss to them has been revoked until you pay me $80 in Bitcoin (BTC).

 Once you have sent $80 worth of Bitcoin to the following wallet address:
 
 1LthWWSd82dKddmHwqhBv8XHiYyU
 
 Email me at employer21@protonmail.com & I will send you a tool to decrypt the files and a tutorial on how to use said tool.
 
If you don't know how to buy Bitcoin, read this:

https://www.bitcoin.com/get-started/how-do-i-easily-buy-and-sell-bitcoin

                    Sincerely,

                    Agent W

Of course, you shouldn't listen to cybercriminals and must remove VAGGEN ransomware instead. The easiest way to eliminate the virus is by using anti-malware software. We recommend choosing SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes for this task. If you don't know how to get rid of the ransomware or how to recover files, rely on the instructions at the bottom of this article.

Also, you should remember that malware can damage your system. After the VAGGEN ransomware removal, try using FortectIntego or any other reliable repair tool to fix any damage done to system files.

If you want to recover .VAGGEN files, you should try several methods

Unfortunately, after the ransomware performs the data locking process, the user can no longer access .VAGGEN files. Many users are searching for information on how to open encrypted files without paying cybercriminals but the answer to this question is not so simple. Each case is individual and consists of many factors, so you should try several methods to recover important data.

Sadly, users infected with ransomware often believe that they can recover .VAGGEN files just by removing the virus from the system. However, all data stays locked, and the only solution to this problem is backups. If you have safely stored backups, you can easily recover your data.

Unfortunately, many users do not know about the importance of backing up the data and don't copy files to different locations. But even if you don't have copies, experts^[3] say that you shouldn't cooperate with cybercriminals and pay them for the decryption key. Hackers may deceive you and disappear without giving the decryption key. Instead of paying the ransom, try other methods to recover your personal files – we provided detailed instructions below.

Moreover, if you want to avoid any problems in the future, always act carefully on the internet. Ransomware can be distributed through infected email attachments, malicious ads, and unsafe torrent websites. You should think twice before opening any suspicious email attachment or downloading software from questionable sources. Also, we recommend always using a reliable AV program.

Remove VAGGEN ransomware and recover your files from backups

You should remember that manual VAGGEN ransomware removal can be a very complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. We recommend using powerful anti-malware software if you want to get rid of this virus. Moreover, malware can damage or change your system files, thus remember to run the reliable repair tool to fix such damage – we recommend using FortectIntego.

Unfortunately, even if you remove VAGGEN ransomware, all your personal files will stay locked. But don't try to pay for hackers. There were cases when cybercriminals simply vanished after the payment or asked for more money. If you want to recover your files, rely on your backups or other solutions. We provided useful instructions at the bottom of this article.