How to remove .aesir file extension virus

What do we know about .Aesir file extension virus?

.Aesir file extension virus is the latest version of the Locky ransomware, entitled according to the name of an ancient Norse god. Locky creators seem to have grown especially fond of the Norse mythology ^[1] which is evident by looking at the titles of the latest ransomware variants including Thor, Odin, Loki (Locky), and Heimdall. Talking about Aesir in particular, we should point out that it targets around 456 different file types, and like its preceding versions uses a combination of AES-1024 and RSA-2048 ciphers ^[2] to render personal files useless. This ransomware kin has proved that its has been created by high-skilled programmers who definitely know how to manipulate complex layers of obfuscation ^[3] to successfully deliver ransomware to target computers and encrypt the files. What’s new in Aesir virus project is that it uses a different C2 server (89.108.73.124/information.cgi, 185.75.46.73/information.cgi, or 91.211.119.98/information.cgi) and drops a differently titled ransomware note — _[set of chars]-INSTRUCTION.html ^[4]. When encrypting the data, the virus gets rid of the original filename and replaces it with a random set of characters, and also appends extension “.aesir” instead of the original one. Unfortunately, .Aesir file extension removal is virtually impossible. The files remain encrypted even if it is overwritten manually. So, you should not even bother with that and proceed straight to the virus extermination using proper antivirus tools. One of the trusted software you can apply for this purpose is FortectIntego.

As soon as it encrypts all files, virus develops a .html file (the ransom note), and saves a copy of it to every folder with encrypted data, including Desktop to deliver information about possible decryption options. The ransom note launches via user’s default web browser and displays the classic Locky’s “! ! ! IMPORTANT INFORMATION ! ! !” message, which provides links to Wikipedia’s articles about RSA and AES cryptographic systems, also ones leading to personal ransom-payment site, and instructions on how to download Tor browser, which helps to access them. Finally, Aesir ransomware virus replaces the desktop image with a black picture (-INSTRUCTION.bmp file) featuring text provided in the ransom note.

.Aesir ransomware encodes data with with unbreakable encryption, and once files are locked, they’re lost. The criminals working behind this cyber extortion project want victims to pay ransoms in order to receive software that is built based on a secret decryption code that is the only key to data recovery. There is no way to find out this code without criminals’ help, and we can assure you that these scams do not intend to negotiate. They ask to buy certain amount of Bitcoins and send them to their Bitcoin waller to get the Locky decryptor. Instead of taking your hardly-earned money and giving them away to criminals, think whether it’s worth it. You should also take into account the fact that 20% of all ransomware victims who paid the ransom never got their files back because criminals simply refused to provide them with decryption software. You must understand that scammers only care about the money, not about your well-being. Therefore, you should keep your money to yourself and remove .Aesir virus without a doubt.

Ransomware infiltration tactics:

Our analysis shows that .Aesir file extension virus is currently being distributed using new tactics. Recently, we discovered that Nemucod Trojan downloader is currently being distributed via Facebook spam campaign that delivers the bogus photo to victims. The infectious message contains an attachment that is titled as Photo_[4 random numbers].svg. More experienced computer users might quickly notice that the file extension differs from standard image formats (such as JPG, JPEG or PNG) and might refrain themselves from clicking on it. SVG is an XML-based vector image format, which is capable of carrying a JavaScript code. Once the victim clicks on such file, it redirects him/her to a phishing website that looks like Youtube. Here, crooks use the good old “install an extension to view the video” technique to trick the user to install a malicious piece of software. As soon as the victim install the extension, the virus gets access to victim’s Facebook account and uses it for Aesir proliferation – it sends out messages containing Locky’s newest version to all victim’s friends. At the same time, the malicious extension installs Nemucod, which later on downloads and executes Aesir malware.

Obviously, the rest of the Locky virus group programs are still distributed via malicious email spam campaigns. The experts count numerous spam emails with random subject titles that lead to Locky or its versions. Some of them include “Invoice number: 947781”, “New(910)”, “Firewall Software”, etc. Usually, such emails feature convincing messages urging the potential victim to download the attached documents and open them on their computers. It has been recently reported that spam emails with the subject title “Your Amazon.com order has dispatched #[random numbers]” have especially intensified. These emails are delivered to the victims’ computers via fake email accounts, such as auto-shipping4@amazon.com or auto-shipping5@amazon.com and carry a .zip attachment, which should not be opened in any case! It delivers a destructive payload that can take away all personal files away for good. Please bare in mind that types of the attached files may vary and arrive on the computer in .DOCM, .XLS. or other formats ^[5].

How does .Aesir file extension virus removal work?

.Aesir file extension virus is not one of those mid-level malware examples that are complex but in one or another case decryptable. Frauds who code this virus know what they’re doing and why they’re doing, and they shamelessly attack innocent computer users who surf the world wide web without expecting to encounter anything bad there. We suggest you remove .Aesir file extension virus as soon as you can along with Nemucod and other malware. For that, employ FortectIntego. If you can’t launch your antivirus, run the PC in a Safe Mode with Networking first. This will stop the virus from blocking your anti-malware tool and you will be able to continue with .Aesir file extension removal without any further interferences.