How to remove Armage ransomware

Armage ransomware – a malware infection that renders personal files useless

Armage ransomware is a crypto-virus that was first discovered on the 23rd of July, 2018. The malicious program uses AES-256^[1] cipher to encode files, blocking the access entirely. Soon after encryption, the .armage appendix is added, a unique encryption key is generated and sent to hackers to a remote Command & Control server. This key is needed to get the control of data back, but, unfortunately, only cybercriminals have access to it. To decode data, victims have to pay ransom in digital currency, usually Bitcoin. To inform users of the consequences of the infection, the Armage virus is programmed to put a ransom note “Notice.txt” into every affected folder and the desktop.

Ransomware is a sneaky type of infection and is injected into victims' machines using social engineering. Phishing^[2] emails are often sent out to thousands of users and those who are not careful enough to execute the malicious code, infecting it. Additionally, Armage ransomware can be hosted by dubious file-sharing sites. Thus, users are advised to avoid such domains and consider every spam email as suspicious by default.

Soon after infiltration, Armage ransomware makes several changes to the machine, including Windows Registry modification, which allows it to start up with every Windows boot. Then, the virus scans the device for files to encrypt – documents, databases, pictures, videos, music, etc. Personal data is then modified in a way that it cannot be opened by regular programs and requires decryption key which only Armage ransomware authors can provide. 

Armage ransomware has another unusual feature security researchers discovered. Upon infiltration, malware deletes Windows explorer shortcuts and system libraries. Therefore, it is impossible not to notice that something is wrong. Victims should not panic and proceed with Armage removal instead. Only then they will have a chance of recovering their personal files.

The ransom note of Armage ransomware states the following:

Your files was encrypted using AES-256 algorithm, write me to e-mail armagedosevin@aol.com to get your decryption key.
Your USERKEY: [combination of 128 characters]

Users are prompted to contact hackers using armagedosevin@aol.com, and many actually do. Nevertheless, security researchers^[3] do not recommend doing that, as a risk of losing money is quite high. Besides, not only would such actions fund criminals' attacks, but might also make them choose you as a target in the future, knowing you are willing to pay.

Thus, do not contact cybercrooks, as you can not trust people who use such ambiguous methods to obtain money illegally. Instead, use anti-malware software to remove Armage ransomware. Only then you can start the file recovery procedure. Unfortunately, the only method of getting all data back safely is by restoring it from a backup. If you did not have one created, you could try third-party software instead. 

Keep your eyes on spam emails – ransomware virus might be hidden inside

You log in to your email to check if you got anything important and noticed that a couple of new emails arrived – both of them in the spam folder. You do not pay attention to their location and open the first message. It includes a carefully composed text warning you about taxes you did not pay for. According to the author, you can find all the details inside the attachment.

In a rush, you download a file and double click it. Unfortunately, it fails to open as it asks you to use macro function. Baffled, you agree. As soon as that button is pressed, there is no way back, as malware executes its payload and starts its activity immediately.

And that is precisely how users get tricked – cleverly engineered phishing emails can deceive even those computer-savvy ones if they are not careful enough. Thus, pay attention to your Inbox and carefully examine each email before opening any attachments or clicking on links.

Other file-encrypting virus infiltration methods are:

• Unprotected RDP;
• Weak passwords;
• Exploit kits;
• Malicious websites;
• Malversting, etc.

Don't forget that every executable can be a virus. Thus, refrain yourself from visiting suspicious websites, do not click on dubious ads and patch your software as soon as new updates are available.

Eliminate .armage file extension virus from your PC

Armage ransomware removal should never be attempted without professional help. Ransomware infections are written in a complicated code which makes several system changes. To repair the damage, you would have to locate malicious files and get rid of them manually, which is a complicated process and can only be executed by IT professionals.

Thus, to successfully remove .armage virus from your computer, download and install security software that can be trusted. We recommend FortectIntego or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes – these malware removal applications are capable of disabling the virus and deleting all malicious files and revert changes performed by Armage ransomware. 

As soon as the elimination procedure is complete, you can recover your files using a backup or by using third-party software. You will find the instructions below.