How to remove ASN1 ransomware virus

ASN1 ransomware uses Rig exploit kit for its distribution

ASN1 virus is a dangerous ransomware which started its distribution in Italy, Greece, Serbia and the United States. Now it can be found in almost every world’s country. In the beginning, this virus seemed to be in a relatively low stage of distribution. Nevertheless, ASN1 ransomware is not in the developmental process anymore, so the amount of affected PC users can go higher. According to the latest news, malware has started spreading with the help of Rig exploit kit, so there is no doubt that the true intensions of hackers have increased.

Looking at its coding peculiarities, ASN1 ransomware can hardly compete with such ransomware giants as Locky, CryptoWall or Cerber. However, it does not mean that it is not capable of inflicting as much damage as other viruses do. Just like any other ransomware, this parasite encodes user’s documents, pictures, archives and other personal information with AES and RSA ciphers, making the encrypted files inaccessible. It hasn’t been leaving any file extensions to these files, so they seem normal until you try opening them. Virus can also delete Volume Shadow Copies for ensuring that there is no way for the user to recover them. Currently, there is no alternative decryption software that would help victims recover the locked files. However, you should not think about paying to the extortionists as well because the functionality of their decryption software is not guaranteed. Thus, ASN1 removal and the use of backups is the safest option you have. You can use FortectIntego anti-malware software to fix your PC, while the data recovery solutions will be provided at the end of the article.

Another thing that allows us to define ASN1 as a ransomware-in-the-making is the fact that it does not add any visible extensions to the files it encrypts. Extension alteration has become one of the main signatures of ransomware-type viruses, so in this respect, ASN1 is somewhat deviant. Although this parasite does not bring extension changes, there is no way its developers could have missed the ransom note. The criminals encourage to read this note by placing a pop-up message on the infected computer’s desktop:

ALL YOUR FILES WERE ENCRYPTED!
1. Download and install TOR browser (recommended) or use your standard browser.
2. Follow the link that was generated for you.
3. On the next page you will see a Bitcoin wallet to pay, after you pay, you will get the key for decrypting your files.
4. Highlight (CTRL + A) and copy (CTRL + C) the key in clipboard, decoding will start.
5. Please, do not open files during decryption – opened files can not be decrypted.

Once the provided link is clicked, the Internet browser opens a !!!!!readme!!!!!.html file which provides further information and instructions for the data recovery. We should note that initially, the note was delivered in Italian, but you can now find its variant in English that go as follows:

Your files were encrypted!
1(0) BTC -> [Bitcoin wallet address] (4:23:59:49)
For getting decryption key, you must pay amount, written above, to the bitcoin address, written above. Amount in brackets indicates already paid amount. For buy bitcoin online, google it now. This page will refresh every 120 seconds. If you already paid, please, wait for page refreshing.
If software was deleted, download it now . Absence of payment during next five days will double the amount.
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This document gets dropped on every folder that contains infected files. The ransom that the extortionists demand fluctuates between 0.25 to 1 Bitcoin, but as we have already mentioned, it is extremely risky to have any financial business with the cyber criminals. They may fail to deliver the Segui.exe file which supposedly contains the data decrypter, and you will be robbed off your files as well as your money. However, if you remove ASN1 ransomware from your computer, you still stand a chance to decrypt your files and, most importantly, protect your banking details from getting leaked.

Ransomware infiltration and preventative measures that can stop it:

Though ASN1 is not an entirely typical ransomware, it’s developers are probably employing typical ways to distribute the ransomware around. It is most likely that this virus will try to enter your computer disguised as a legitimate Adobe Flash or Java software update. You can also get infected with ASN1 after interaction with links delivered by spam emails. It is always important to stay vigilant and avoid such encounterings, but accidents do happen, and you can get infected without even suspecting it. For such emergency cases, it is recommended to make data backups, renew them regularly and keep them in safe external storage drives.

The easiest ASN1 removal options:

You can remove ASN1 virus or any other potentially unwanted program from the infected device safely by using an automatic anti-malware software. However, when dealing with ransomware infections, especially the ones that are constantly undergoing various changes various difficulties may arise. For instance, you may not be able to initiate the automatic ASN1 removal because the malicious processes might be blocking your antivirus from operating. We have prepared a guide that should help eliminate this obstacle and allow you to proceed with the virus elimination smoothly.