How to remove Lavasky ransomware

Lavasky ransomware is a dangerous virus that can destroy users' personal files

Lavasky ransomware is a file-locking malware that uses complicated encryption algorithms. It belongs to the Void ransomware family. When it infiltrates the system, it locks users' personal files, like photos, videos, documents, databases, etc. This kind of infection can be very devastating as it can result in permanent data loss.

The original file names are appended with the .lavasky extension, a unique ID assigned to the victim, and the cyber criminals' email address. If a file was previously named picture.jpg, it would appear as picture.jpg.lavasky.(uniqueID).(blackpirate@cock.li). The main purpose of such malicious programs is to extract money from innocent users. 

The ransom note

Shortly after the encryption process is finished, a ransom note unlock-info.txt is generated on the machine. It is a message written by ransomware developers where they state their demands and contact information.

All your files have been encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail; blackpirate@cock.li
Write this ID in the title of your message : –
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails: coronav2020@cock.li
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Of course, cybercriminals want to earn money, so they ask to pay if victims want to get their files back. The price is not specified in the note but it is said that it depends on how fast users contact them. The pressure is used to intimidate people and make them decide quickly without thinking about it much.

Threat actors want to be paid in cryptocurrencies,^[1] more specifically – Bitcoin. They choose this method because it provides anonymity. However, it is very risky for victims. Once you send a cryptocurrency transaction to another wallet, it is impossible to get it back, so we strongly advise against paying the ransom. 

Cybercriminals cannot be trusted. Many previous ransomware attack victims say that they never received the promised decryption tools after paying. Even though it is next to impossible to decrypt the data without their interference, it is not worth it to risk getting scammed as well.

Distribution methods

Ransomware can be spread in many different ways but the most common reason for the infection is unsafe browsing practices. For example, many people try to save money by installing “cracked” software,^[2] using Torrent websites, and peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms.

These download sources are unregulated, so it is impossible to know if the packages you are downloading do not contain any malicious files. Even though it can get costly, it is best to use official web stores and developer websites. You may save in the long run by keeping your system running smoothly.

Another way that ransomware can get into the system is through email. Crooks often send out emails disguised as important messages from well-known companies. They include malicious links or infected attachments. You should never open attachments from unknown senders.

Use professional security tools to eliminate malicious files

The critical thing to do is disconnect the affected machine from the local network. For home users, disconnecting the ethernet cable should do the job. If this happened at your workplace, doing that might be complicated, so we have instructions for corporate environments at the bottom of this post.

If you try to recover your data first, it can result in permanent loss. It can also encrypt your files the second time. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files causing it first. You should not attempt removing the malicious program yourself unless you have experience.

Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your system. This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. In some cases, malware is not letting you use antivirus in normal mode, so you need to access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing the F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find the Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click Restart.
10. Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Fix system errors to prevent Windows reinstallation

Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a complete Windows reinstall is required, are expected after malware infection. These types of infections can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not able to repair it. 

This is why FortectIntego was developed. It can fix a lot of the damage caused by an infection like this. Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc., can make your computer completely unusable. By using this maintenance tool, you could avoid Windows reinstallation.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.

File recovery options

Many people think that they can fix their files with anti-malware tools, but that is not what they are designed for. All the security tools can do is detect suspicious processes in your system and eliminate malicious files. The truth is, the files can be restored only with a decryption key^[3] or software that only the cybercriminals have.

If you did not back up your data previously, you possibly lost your files forever. You can try using data recovery software, but third-party programs cannot always decrypt the files. We suggest at least trying this method. Before proceeding, you have to copy the corrupted files and place them in a USB flash drive or another storage. And remember – only do this if you have already removed the Lavasky ransomware.

Before you begin, several pointers are essential while dealing with this situation:

• Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
• Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.