Vvoa ransomware (Virus Removal Guide) - Recovery Instructions Included
Vvoa virus Removal Guide
What is Vvoa ransomware?
Vvoa ransomware – a new variant of the ever-expanding Djvu family
Vvoa ransomware is a computer virus that locks victim files until a ransom is paid. The cryptovirus derives from the wicked Djvu ransom family. First detected in 2016, this family keeps on growing. To this day there are more than 250 versions and there's no telling when will it stop. Viruses from this family typically use an army-based RSA[1] algorithm for encryption. Previous versions were decryptable, but recent years show activities of non-decryptable malware that uses on powerful encoding methods and online IDs while locking files. Those include Iiss, Agho, Jdyi.
As soon as Vvoa ransomware virus lands on a targeted device it starts the encryption process immediately, after that's done all files are inaccessible and renamed – a .vvoa extension is appended. Subsequently, a ransom note named _readme.txt is created in all affected folders. Developers of the virus in the said note tell their victims what happened to their devices and what needs to be done to get their files back.
| Name | Vvoa ransomware |
|---|---|
| type | Ransomware |
| Family | Djvu ransomware |
| appended file extension | All non-system files are appended with .vvoa extension |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt is created in all contaminated folders |
| Ransom amount | Cybercriminals ask for 980 USD, or 480 USD if paid within 72 hours of infection |
| Criminal contact info | Perpetrators can be contacted via two given emails: helpmanager@mail.ch, restoremanager@firemail.cc |
| MAlware removal | To remove Vvoa ransomware use a trustworthy anti-malware software |
| System fix | Once Vvoa virus removal is completed, it is highly recommended using the FortectIntego tool to get your device back in shape |
The creators of Vvoa ransomwareare kind enough and offer to send them one file from the infected computer. They would send a decrypted file back, thus proving that the decryption tool really exists and that they have it. Furthermore, they are enclosing a link to a video to see the decryption in action. The ransom amount is 480 USD but only if the victims contact the criminals within 72 hours, if not the price is doubled to 960 USD.
However tempting it might be to pay the criminals and retrieve your files, the FBI warns[2] that such action doesn't guarantee that you will receive the promised tool, and additionally increases criminal's motivation to expand their attacks and create more sophisticated malware than Vvoa file virus.
We recommend to remove Vvoa ransomware automatically using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes anti-malware applications. These are trustworthy programs that will safeguard your future browsing experiences if you update their virus databases regularly.
After Vvoa ransomware removal, don't rush to restore your data from the backups, experts[3] advise using the FortectIntego tool to perform a full system scan and find what the file locking parasite has done to system files and its settings. If left unattended, this might lead to crashes, severe lag, and other symptoms exhibited by your device.
Ransom note with all demands and instructions state:
ATTENTION!
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-sBwlEg46JX
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
helpmanager@mail.chReserve e-mail address to contact us:
restoremanager@firemail.ccYour personal ID
Difference between offline and online IDs that affects .vvoa file decryption
It is known that since August 2019, Djvu family is not using offline IDs, in most cases. These victim IDs or decryption keys are used when a particular set of numbers get generated during the file-locking procedure. Previously helpful decryption tools relied on offline keys and made victims happy when most of their data got recovered easily. Vvoa ransomware got released in November 2020 – it is not decryptable.
Online IDs are unique for each victim, so even when researchers obtain one decryption key – there is no way to recover other data. Decryption keys received from virus developers' can work for only one machine and those files affected on the computer. You need to either risk and pay Vvoa virus creators for the key or go for other methods.
Decryption tool development takes time. Other ways to obtain such decryption keys without paying criminals is to wait for the official file recovery program or law enforcement actions. It takes even longer. We recommend removing Vvoa file virus with anti-malware tools and recovering files yourself or with the help of third-party tools, PC options.
File recovery after Vvoa ransomware infection
Having your files locked is a nightmare. That being said, contacting the criminals, or even worse – paying the ransom isn't the only solution. Unfortunately, deleting the malware won't unlock your Vvoa virus files, but we're here to help.
The first solution after your device is virus-free and you've done the whole system checkup routine, mentioned in the paragraph below, is to restore your files from backups. If you didn't keep backups, transfer all virus affected .vvoa files to offline storage and either use one of our suggested recovery methods below this article or wait for a public decryption key to be available.
Another method to remove .vvoa extension from your files is using Emisoft created decryption tools. They specialize in such software and constantly updates their product. So if there's no decryptor available now, you should either check back with them or with us to see any updates on this matter.
Other techniques are described at the bottom of this article and require your attention to details. Remember to terminate Vvoa ransomware before any data recovery options. Emsisoft's decrypter or media file repair tool can work for some of the files, but not always.
System restore and Vvoa ransomware removal
99% of Djvu family ransomware is distributed by illegal activations toolkits for licensed software (aka cracks) and other files on torrent websites. Please refrain from using those sites. Support the developers of your desired programs by buying them directly from official websites.
Users should always have their backs watched by trustworthy anti-malware software. We recommend using reliable anti-malware apps like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes to remove Vvoa ransomware from infected devices automatically. These apps will locate, isolate, and delete the computer virus and all its allocated files spread out through the device.
As good as anti-virus software is at detecting and removing infections, it can't fix registry and other system files and settings. To restore your computer to a pre-contaminated phase use the FortectIntego tool. It will automatically find and restore whatever the Vvoa ransomware virus has done to system-related settings/files.
Getting rid of Vvoa virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If anti-malware tool can't remove the infection normally, try doing it after accessing Safe Mode with Networking
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 Vvoa using System Restore
System Restore can be helpful with Vvoa ransomware removal
-
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.
-
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 Vvoa. After doing that, click Next.
-
Now click Yes to start system restore.
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Vvoa 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 Vvoa, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro is a professional file restoring tool
Data Recovery Pro might be a good app to try and recover your files after Vvoa ransomware attack
- 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 Vvoa ransomware;
- Restore them.
Try Windows Previous Version feature – solution for data restoring
Windows Previous Version feature might also be useful, although you would have to restore one file at a time
- 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”.
File recovery using ShadowExplorer
If all other methods, described above, didn't work, try using ShadowExplorer to find lost versions of your data
- 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.
Decryption tool can posisbly help
Djvu decrypter can be used in some cases
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Vvoa and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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- ^ RSA (cryptosystem). Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Ransomware. FBI. Federal bureau of investigations.
- ^ Dieviren. Dieviren. Spyware news and safety.