Golden Axe Virus - How to remove

Golden Axe is a computer virus that can encrypt (lock) files stored on a system running Windows operating system. It is categorized as cryptovirus or simply ransomware. Why? Because there is the option to get your files back directly from cyber criminals by paying them the ransom. Luckily, there are other, better options as well.

This article is dedicated to introducing you to those options. In addition to that, we will cover the main attributes of this infection and the ways it is distributed. Also, we will present you with some great tips on how to improve your cyber security and avoid similar malware in the future.

If you have some questions about Golden Axe ransomware or the removal process, you can always ask them in the comments section below and we will do our best to answer them all.

Golden Axe Functions

As usually, ransomware infections employ some kind of encryption algorithm to change the structure of files stored on the infected system and make them unusable. Please note that this isn’t equal to destroying those files for good – the process can be reversed, so files can be restored. However, you will be asked to pay for that privilege.

As we have mentioned, this infection is only capable of infecting Windows systems. Fortunately, it can’t change system files, so your operating system will be working just fine. After the encryption, 3 variations of ransom note will appear on your desktop – # instructions-ID#.txt, # instructions-ID#.vbs, and # instructions-ID#.jpg. All of them contain the same message that goes like this:

*** UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES UNTIL DECRYPT YOUR FILES DO NOT DELETE THIS INSTRUCTIONS FILE ***

# What Happened?
All your files, documents, photos, databases, and other important files are encrypted by ‘Golden Axe’ ransomware!
It means you will not be able to access them anymore until they are decrypted.
Recovery process impossible without purchasing your special decryption package from us!

# Free Decryption Guarantee!
We will decrypt one of your files before you making payment to show our honesty.
Pick up and attach one of your random encrypted files less than ~1 megabytes in the first contact with us.

* Make sure you will send the file as clear. Not archived, compressed or etc…

# How to contact with you?
Send your message with your ‘DATA’ block on the blow of this file to our email address – [email protected]
and wait for our response.

Write in email message what you think necessary.
Do not forget, write to us in English or get help for a professional translator.

Also do not forget!
When we does not reply your email after 24 hour, send your message to our backup email – [email protected]

# How to Purchase Decryption Package?
We will send you next step instructions about payment and decryption in the email.
The decryption price base on how fast you contact with us!
We accept only cryptocurrency named Bitcoin (BTC) as a payment method.

# How to Purchase Bitcoin?
Use the global and trusted Bitcoin exchange website – https://localbitcoins.com for fast and easy Bitcoin purchase.
For more information search about ‘How to buy Bitcoin’ on the internet.

# Attention!
* DO NOT MODIFY, MOVE OR RENAME ENCRYPTED FILES. THIS CAUSES A CORRUPT YOUR FILES!

As always, cyber criminals are using social engineering techniques. They want you to contact them via emails [email protected] or [email protected]. You are encouraged to send one encrypted file, so they could decrypt it and send it back to you as proof that they have working technology to unlock your files. This trick is supposed to force users into paying.

The payment needs to be done in Bitcoins, but it’s not clear how much you will be asked to pay. Either way, we do not recommend to do that.

Removal of Golden Axe

All files encrypted by Golden Axe will be marked with an extension of five random symbols – that’s how you know that the file can’t be opened anymore. However, restoring those files shouldn’t be the first thing you need to do. Prior to that, you need to completely eliminate the Golden Axe virus itself. You can do that by scanning your system with Spyhunter. Either one of those applications will immediately detect and remove all files associated with this virus.

After that, you need to get your files back. Instead of paying the ransom, you can simply restore them by performing a system restore – this will turn your computer back in time, to the date when the virus was not present yet. For further instructions, please scroll down below the article.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Golden Axe Virus 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 Golden Axe Virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Golden Axe Virus

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 Golden Axe Virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Golden Axe Virus 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 Golden Axe Virus 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 Golden Axe Virus 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.