VO_ ransomware / virus (Tutorial)

VO_ virus Removal Guide

What is VO_ ransomware virus?

Crucial information about VO_ ransomware virus

The good news is that VO_ virus might not be as dangerous as Locky which recently rampaged on the social media [1]. Since only several versions of this malware have been detected, many speculations arise about the capabilities of the ransomware. Once this misfortune befalls your computer, all personal and important files get locked up. What is more, they might all bear .vo file extension. We recommend starting VO_ removal right away. As it is little known about the virus, delaying the process might cause even more severe outcomes. One of the practical tools to speed up the process is to install an anti-spyware program, such as FortectIntego.

Luckily, not all emerging file-encrypting viruses are as hazardous as ransomware titans, for instance, Cerber virus or CryptoLocker which keep inspiring hacker-wannabees. Speaking of VO_ malware, it follows the manner of encoding the data with AES algorithm. It has been mainly used by National Security Agency to encipher the secret documents. Unlike stream ciphering, the main feature of AES is to encode the data by running several repeated cycles of block encryption [2]. If ransomware states that it has employed a AES-128 code, it means that 128-bit key comprises the algorithm formula. Such encryption method proves to be effective in IT cyber security field as well as in a hacking world. Felons, shifting to this method, make extra guarantees that even if victims are computer literate, they would not decrypt files without their “assistance.” At least, they want you to think so. Considering such psychological terror techniques, you should not trust VO_ ransomware hackers as well. The absence of clear instructions of decoding the files leaves room for speculations that this malware might be just a beta version of a more developed virus appearing in the future. In any case, remove VO_ virus right away.

The dangers of VO_malware

When did my computer get infected with the ransomware?

Spam and phishing perform the role of a haven for a variety malware, including banking trojans, ransomware, and extortionware [3]. The latter also possesses the same features as ransomware, but it is more oriented at blackmailing victims [4]. Getting back to the topic of this article and specifically, VO_ hijack, note that it might cover under the disguise of fake delivery email. Gearheads are quite crafty in devising officially looking emails. The ransomware payload might even get delivered in the email which is supposedly sent from Amazon [5]. Likewise, check your system for any adware files as well. A while ago, the PUP under the same title hit the internet stage. It might be linked to the current ransomware.

Eliminating VO_virus completely

If you are looking for a quick but at the same time effective solution, install a security tool, specifically anti-spyware utility (FortectIntego or Malwarebytes). It is a well-designed tool for eliminating different sorts of malicious elements and programs, including file-encrypting cyber threats. Do not forget to update it and run the scan. It will remove VO_virus within shortly. Certainly, the very process depends on technical characteristics of your operating system. If you cannot complete VO_removal due to the locked screen or other problems, proceed further to the access recovery instructions.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of VO_ 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
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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 VO_ using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of VO_. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that VO_ removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove VO_ from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by VO_, you can use several methods to restore them:

How practical is Data Encryption Pro?

If you haven’t backed up your data, and haven’t saved copies of your most important data elsewhere, then, this utility might be one of the last chances to restore the data.

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by VO_ ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions feature – alternative to restore your data?

This method might require more time as you have to go through each affected file and implement the following steps.

  • Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
  • Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
  • Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

Shadow Explorer and its modus operandi

This is one of the more viable ways to retrieve the data in case you do not have a backup. In short, this utility recreates the files based on volume shadow copies stored on Windows. 

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from VO_ and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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