VegClass ransomware / virus (Tutorial)
VegClass virus Removal Guide
What is VegClass ransomware virus?
What do you need to know about Vegclass virus?
If you have ever heard about ransomware viruses, you probably do know how dangerous they are. Today, we are going to describe yet another ransomware virus, which is known as Vegclass ransomware, or Vegclass@aol.com ransomware. When this computer threat infiltrates into a computer system, it runs a malicious process which finds all files in the computer and encrypts them using a sophisticated cryptographic algorithm. When files are encrypted, they become inaccessible, and that can make the computer user panic. We all store important files on our computers, and losing them is definitely something that we do not want to happen. That is why it is essential to back up your files, so that you could recover them if something happens to their original copies.
When this malicious computer virus finds victim’s files, it encrypts them and then adds .Vegclass@aol.com.xtbl extension to each of them. Then the virus drops ransom notes (How to decrypt your files.txt) in the computer system, usually in all folders that store at least one encrypted file. It also changes the desktop wallpaper with an image that provides the same information as ransom notes do. The Vegclass ransomware virus says that the victim must get in touch with cyber criminals to find out how to decrypt the encrypted data. It provides several email addresses (Vegclass@aol(dot)com, Greebin@india(dot)com, eco_vector@india(dot)com or ecovector3@aol(dot)com) and says that the victim needs to send three encrypted files to one of them. We believe that cyber criminals set ransom price depending on how important these records are because victims probably are going to send most important files, expecting them to be decrypted. That might not be the case because cyber criminals also might be able to see the volume of data encrypted on victim’s computer.
However, if your computer has been affected, no matter how much these frauds would ask you, you should pay. There is no guarantee that they are going to give you a decryption software. You should remove Vegclass malware from your computer with an anti-malware software like FortectIntego and then restore your files from a backup. We strongly recommend you to read Vegclass removal instructions provided on page 2 to learn how to properly delete all files related to this virus. If you do not have a backup, you can try one of the following decryption tools: R-Studio, PhotoRec, or these virus-fighting utilities.
How does ransomware spread?
Cyber criminals are improving viruses, and so they also use tricky methods to distribute them. Downloads from compromised web pages, malicious email attachments, and malvertising are just some of the most common vectors of ransomware. If you want to keep your computer safe and virus-free, the first and foremost method to protect it from such viruses is to install a reliable anti-malware software. In addition to this, you should never open emails that come from unknown individuals. Cyber criminals often add malicious files to such emails and try to convince the computer user to open them. Once they are opened, they immediately drop infectious files on the computer, launch malicious processes and wreak havoc on the computer system. Furthermore, stay away from questionable websites and do not click on suspicious or very annoying web advertisements.
How to remove Vegclass ransomware from the computer system?
This virus is a very dangerous threat, and once it encrypts files, it is nearly impossible to recover them. That is why it is very important to secure your data in advance and back it up. If you have found Vegclass ransom notes on your computer and if your files have .Vegclass@aol.com.xtbl file extensions added to them, install a strong malware removal tool and eliminate this ransomware virus from your computer without a delay. If this virus blocks your anti-malware, please follow the steps of this Vegclass removal guide provided below, and stop Vegclass virus temporarily. Then delete it with anti-malware software.
Getting rid of VegClass virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Remove VegClass using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
- Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
- Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
- Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
- When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of VegClass. After doing that, click Next.
- Now click Yes to start system restore.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from VegClass and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.