How to remove Golden Axe ransomware

Golden Axe ransomware – a file locking virus which adds five random characters to the encrypted file

Golden Axe ransomware is a file-encrypting threat which was recently discovered by cybersecurity experts and announced on Twitter.^[1] This dangerous infection has been noticed while trying to infiltrate users computers by hacking RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol).^[2] What is unique about Golden Axe virus is that the ransomware encrypts files by adding a completely random five-character extension. Additionally, it places a copy of the ransom note in each existing folder. Crooks display the message in three different types of formats: # instructions-ID#.txt, # instructions-ID#.vbs, and # instructions-ID#.jpg. In these notes, victims are informed about the secret encryption process and are urged to make contact with the criminals via these email addresses: xxback@keemail.me or darkusmbackup@protonmail.com. The hackers seek to gain income from infected users, so they demand a ransom usually in Bitcoin and claim that the decryption tool will be received after the money is transferred. Sadly, such promises are often not fulfilled as the crooks are very likely to scam people.

You can recognize Golden Axe ransomware by a file named Flash_Player.exe that it leaves on the infected machine. Additionally, this file locking malware might drop malicious payload all over the system. For example, it might create suspicious registry keys which will allow executing different actions. Also, you might find malware-related processes running in the Windows Task Manager which need to be stopped immediately to prevent further possible damage.

Golden Axe ransomware is capable of infecting all types of Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. It is known that various antivirus software such as AVG or Avast detects the malware as Win32:Malware-gen. Other names by which the ransomware can be detected are:

• Trojan.GenericKD.41122654
• Trojan.Ransom.GoldenAxe
• Trojan.Win32.DelShad.4!c
• TR/AD.RansomHeur.snani
• Trojan.Generic.D2737B5E
• etc.

Talking about the ransom note Golden Axe ransomware displays, users can find it located in each encrypted file in three different formats – audio, text, and image. Criminals urge to contact them and discuss all matters about the ransom price if the victim wants to recover files back. As evidence that the decryption tool truly does exist, the crooks offer to send them one file for free decryption, however, it needs to be no bigger than 1 MB:

*** UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES UNTIL DECRYPT YOUR FILES DO NOT DELETE THIS INSTRUCTIONS FILE ***

# What Happened?
All your files, documents, photos, databases, and other important files are encrypted by ‘Golden Axe’ ransomware!
It means you will not be able to access them anymore until they are decrypted.
Recovery process impossible without purchasing your special decryption package from us!

# Free Decryption Guarantee!
We will decrypt one of your files before you making payment to show our honesty.
Pick up and attach one of your random encrypted files less than ~1 megabytes in the first contact with us.

* Make sure you will send the file as clear. Not archived, compressed or etc…

# How to contact with you?
Send your message with your ‘DATA’ block on the blow of this file to our email address – xxback@keemail.me
and wait for our response.

Write in email message what you think necessary.
Do not forget, write to us in English or get help for a professional translator.

Also do not forget!
When we does not reply your email after 24 hour, send your message to our backup email – darkusmbackup@protonmail.com

# How to Purchase Decryption Package?
We will send you next step instructions about payment and decryption in the email.
The decryption price base on how fast you contact with us!
We accept only cryptocurrency named Bitcoin (BTC) as a payment method.

# How to Purchase Bitcoin?
Use the global and trusted Bitcoin exchange website – https://localbitcoins.com for fast and easy Bitcoin purchase.
For more information search about ‘How to buy Bitcoin’ on the internet.

# Attention!
* DO NOT MODIFY, MOVE OR RENAME ENCRYPTED FILES. THIS CAUSES A CORRUPT YOUR FILES!

You need to be aware that ransomware infections can carry out a big variety of damaging activities on your infected computer. Be quick to remove Golden Axe virus from your system. However, note that you need to discover all malware-related content on the infected machine and just then proceed with the elimination. For malware detection purposes, we offer to download and install software such as FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner.

If you are considering to perform the Golden Axe ransomware removal on your own, you should know that it is not a good option to make. File-encrypting malware might be extremely difficult to detect by yourself, and even if you do find the infection source, you might not be capable of detecting all locations where additional malware-related content might be hiding and performing illegitimate activities. 

Ransomware is known for its capability to lockup documents and make them unusable properly. However, these threats, including Golden Axe ransomware, might install other dangerous malware into the Windows computer system, mess with the system's files, settings, launch hazardous payloads in different locations, etc. After detection, such malware needs to be removed as soon as possible.

Email spam is the most popular distribution source for ransomware

Cybersecurity specialists from NoVirus.uk^[3] claim that ransomware is most likely to be found in infected attachments that come together with rogue email messages. In some cases, crooks might even pretend to from reliable organizations or shipping companies such as FedEx. Users can get tricked by the legitimate look of the email much easier this way.

We recommend investigating each email message that you receive even if the letter falls straight to your inbox. If you were not expecting to receive anything important lately, we suggest avoiding opening the dubious email or its attachments. Mostly, reliable firms do not contact users via emails only, they make phone calls, or even do both.

Continuously, various malware, including ransomware, can be spread via infected third-party websites. For example, free torrent downloading pages often lack recommended protection which lets the criminals inject harmful objects into various software packages, program downloading hyperlinks, or other similar locations.

Golden Axe ransomware removal guidelines for all Windows users

If you are using Windows and have spotted a malicious infection on your computer system, we should urge you to get rid of the cyber threat without any hesitation. If ransomware is what has been bothering you lately and preventing you from proper access to your files, you need to remove Golden Axe virus by using specific anti-malware programs.

Before you proceed with the Golden Axe ransomware removal, install a tool such as FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to check all locations in your computer in case malicious components are hidden somewhere else. Do not try to eliminate the file-encrypting threat without using any professional help as you might cause only more damage to your computer system.

Additionally, we offer to try some data recovery steps that are provided below the article. These methods might help to recover some data that was encrypted by Golden Axe ransomware. For the future, make sure that you store copies of important data on remote servers or devices such as USB drives, iCloud servers.^[4]