Alpha ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it

From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Alpha ransomware virus

• Ransomware should be removed with powerful anti-malware software, such as
• To fix Windows system after ransomware infection, use

From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since

Alpha ransomware is a file-locking PC infection that delivers a lengthy ransom note

Alpha ransomware, otherwise known as Alfa virus, is a malicious computer program designed to hold personal files on the infected machine hostage.

Security researchers detected that this malware sample belongs to the broad family of Cerber, which was first introduced in March 2016, and is most commonly spread via contaminated email attachments (mainly .doc and .wsf files).

Once inside the system, Alpha ransomware virus makes a variety of Windows system changes in order to perform file encryption process, which appends .bin extension to them. Suchlike modified data can no longer be accessed, as it requires a unique key that only criminals behind malware has the access to.

In the README HOW TO DECRYPT YOUR FILES.TXT and README HOW TO DECRYPT YOUR FILES.HTML ransom notes, cybercriminals explain to users what happened to their files, and that they need an "Alpha Decryptor" in order to recover data. Of course, victims have to pay for it in Bitcoin cyroptocurrency.

As the type of Alpha ransomware virus already suggests, the malware attempts to lock out the important files and demand for a ransom. The main feature of this virus is that it asks 1.5 Bitcoin for data recovery (price of cryptocurrency varies greatly, so the demand price can be different, depending on when you get infected.

However, not all ransomware developers use Bitcoins or other cryptocurrency for ransom payments. For instance, TrueCrypt, demands its victims to pay a ransom via Amazon gift cards. Thus, some might suspect that the developers of this virus are either premature, or they regard such activity as a mere free-time spending alternative.

Ransomware which involves in global scams usually chooses more discrete methods of receiving the ransom, in order to maintain the identities of their developers undisclosed. Nevertheless, the approach to ransom collection does not determine the damage these programs are capable of inflicting.

Additionally, it is important to note that file recovery and malware elimination are not the only steps that should be done in order to completely recover from the infection. Some Windows system files might be negatively impacted by Alpha ransomware, resulting in crashes, freezes, errors, and other issues. Thus, to fix these problems, experts recommend using .

When the virus stealthily infiltrates the system, it will not take long to start scanning it for pictures, video files, Office documents and other data included in the predetermined target list. The victim's personal files are encrypted with the AES-256 algorithm, making them virtually inaccessible, unless a private key is used to decrypt them.

The whole file encryption process does not take long and after it is completed, a README HOW TO DECRYPT YOUR FILES.TXT and README HOW TO DECRYPT YOUR FILES.HTML files are dropped on every infected folder of the victim's computer. This document features instructions to the locked data recovery:

This note may have an apologetic ring to it, but it does not change the fact that your highly important files are now inaccessible, and you are required to pay a considerable amount of money to retrieve them.

Luckily, an IT specialist Michael Gillespie has managed to find vulnerabilities of this virus and developed a program capable of decrypting the data without any charge. This Alpha Decrypter can be found online.

From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since

Ransomware virus distribution methods

Since the threat is relatively new, there isn't much information about all possible ways to encounter Alpha virus.

However, the main methods prevail. As the majority of the viruses of this type, your computer can get infected via malicious email attachment. Be aware that cyber criminals have improved their persuasion techniques, so avoid opening any suspicious email even if it is sent from an existing company or governmental institution with the invoice, postal or traffic notifications.

Alternatively, you should hurry to install a reliable cyber security program which is able to detect exploit kits. It has been observed that some ransomware samples spread via them. They are especially treacherous since they can sneak into the system without getting quarantined by the anti-virus program. That is why it is a necessary to have an additional repair application, such as , operating side-by-side with the primary anti-virus software.

Lastly, since the hackers of Alpha ransomware seem to prefer iTunes, you should stay vigilant and refrain from entering any suspicious hyperlinks provided on the website. You can never be guaranteed that using a legitimate website will prevent you from getting assaulted by the ransomware. Thus, let us proceed to the section where we will present you the ways to remove Alpha.

From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since

Alpha virus removal guidelines

There are only two main ways to remove Alpha virus from the damaged system – automatic and manual one.

The manual removal instructions are provided below. Taking into account that this virus is ransomware, you should not take it too lightly. Precision and attention are necessary in order to remove Alpha without leaving any traces.

Besides Alpha removal, it can also ward off minor malware, such as previously-mentioned exploit kits. Though this time you can consider yourself lucky since you can decrypt your files, however, you should start considering alternative ways to store your personal data.

[GI=method-1]You can access Safe Mode with Networking to remove Alfa ransomware virus without problems:

Windows Previous Versions feature might be of use

ShadowExplorer might sometimes be able to restore all your files