AvosLocker Ransomware - How to remove

AvosLocker is a new file-encrypting malicious program. It breaks and corrupts data, then asks for money to fix it. You can recognize AvosLocker by the second extension that it gives the encrypted files: “avos”. While AvosLocker can be removed, there’s currently no obvious way to fix the encrypted data.

AvosLocker in short:

Type of threat	Ransomware.
How AvosLocker encrypts files	It adds a new file extension, “avos”, it leaves a ransom note called “GET_YOUR_FILES_BACK.txt”.
How ransomware spreads	Malicious email spam, infected ads, hacked accounts, malicious software installers.
How to delete AvosLocker	Use antivirus tools (Spyhunter, others) or delete all data, find how AvosLocker infected your computer.

How AvosLocker works

AvosLocker encrypts files

AvosLocker is file-encrypting ransomware. It is the same sort of malware as Thanos or Dharma. It encrypts your files and then shows a message asking you to contact people who can supposedly help you recover the files – the extortionists.

You can recognize AvosLocker most easily by the second extension that it gives the encrypted files – “avos” (how to show file extensions).

The damage goes deeper than that, of course. Like all file-encrypting ransomware, AvosLocker breaks the content of each file, or at least portions of it. This is enough to make most of the encrypted files impossible to read.

In addition, AvosLocker drops ransom notes called “GET_YOUR_FILES_BACK.txt”.

Attention!
Your files have been encrypted using AES-256.
We highly suggest not shutting down your computer in case encryption process is not finished, as your files may get corrupted.
In order to decrypt your files, you must pay for the decryption key & application.
You may do so by visiting us at [address]
This is an onion address that you may access using Tor Browser which you may download at https://www.torproject.org/download/
Details such as pricing, how long before the price increases and such will be available to you once you enter your ID presented to you below in this note in our website.
Hurry up, as the price may increase in the following days.

Message from agent: If you fail to respond in 4 days, the cost of decryption will double up and we will leak some of your data. In 10 days, we will leak all the data we have.

In the note, the extortionists are asking for the victim to contact them to get the details of the ransom payment. It’s recommended to avoid paying the ransom.

AvosLocker makes it hard to recover data

Here are some of AvosLocker’s features that are promised by the developers of this malware:

• AvosLocker deletes shadow volume copies,
• kills some anti-ransomware and anti-malware programs,
• kills programs that might be using files to be encrypted,
• encrypts files, including those on network shares.

These features make it harder for the victims of AvosLocker ransomware to recover their files. For example, file recovery tools (like EaseUS) can be used to undelete files. They occasionally help victims of ransomware to restore some data. But the authors of AvosLocker promise to make this sort of recovery impossible.

Is free decryption an option? AvosLocker is still pretty new, so it’s hard to say. If a free decryptor is released, it should show up on the Nomoreransom.org website, so keep an eye on it. However, if someone approaches you and offers to fix all of your files for a fee, they’re likely a scammer.

How to delete AvosLocker

To delete AvosLocker, you can use an antivirus program, like Spyhunter. It can find and delete malicious programs and files. Or just format your drive to delete all the data on it and reinstall Windows. Though if you keep any of your files, it’s still recommended to scan your computer with security tools.

To make sure that your devices are not reinfected, it’s important to find how AvosLocker got into your system in the first place and to stop this from happening again. For instance, if you suspect that spyware was used to break into your system or that your credentials were compromised in some other way, reset your passwords.

It seems like AvosLocker uses the ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model. This means that the developers of AvosLocker ransomware give the malware to other criminal groups who then look to infect companies and individuals. If there are multiple groups spreading AvosLocker, there might be just as many ways in which this ransomware spreads. One of the most popular ones is malicious emails, but it could also be hacked RDP and other accounts or malicious ads online.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover AvosLocker Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before AvosLocker has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of AvosLocker Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to AvosLocker. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore AvosLocker Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually AvosLocker tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover AvosLocker Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.