VBRANSOM virus - How to remove

VBRANSOM crypto-virus is a return to the traditional values, accepted by ransomware creators. No exclusive features of this sample are emphasized and it appears to be just another malware that encrypts files. Nevertheless, even if we cannot name any extremely innovative features, it still is a threat to the community of the cyber world: you are advised to be cautious. Or that is what we would say if the encryption by VBRANSOM virus would actually work. According to experts, its threats are just empty words since the ransomware is not capable of encrypting documents, photos, videos or databases. It is coded in an object-oriented programming language called Visual Basic, pursued on the .NET framework. To carry out its charade, this virus marks random files with .VBRANSOM extension, but people should be able to run their files regularly.

VBRANSOM virus is just a wannabe virus

We are unsure whether hackers had a goal to produce a ransomware virus that does not execute its main purpose. Its like creating a refrigerator that does not keep food products fresh. Whatever the reasons for the appearance of VBRANSOM virus might be, it does exist. Even though it won’t encode files with powerful algorithms for encryption, it can still cause a shock to a victim. After all, it does display a frightening ransom note, demanding that recipients would not hesitate and access a personal page. In this site, hackers are probably explaining the possible methods to send the ransom and its size.

There is no need to bother with these instructions: and they were written pretty poorly. It looks like the hackers have never heard of proper punctuation and their ransom note lacks some of them. VBRANSOM virus does add its name as an extension to various types of files, but the data remains executable as before. This is probably done to trick the users that their data is indeed encrypted and they should address the demands that are made by these hackers. However, it is pretty difficult to understand the ransom note since people that wrote it are probably never heard of spelling or grammatical rules. Take a look at it yourself:

Your Document, Photos, Videos, Databases and Other Important File Has Been Encrypted by Vbransom
To Get Your File Back you Must Do This Several Action:
1. Download Tor Browser
2. Go to This Your Personal Page

WARNING! THIS PERSONAL PAGE WILL SHUTDOWN IN 1 DAY IF YOU DON’T PAY IT! -vbr91hfnsmaldfma.onion/ID/G81N-WIAN-A81N-AVQ1V
3. Follow the Intruction to Decrypt Your File
4. if You Don’t See Vbransom Screen Your Antivirus Probably Deleted it

For Decrypting Your File You Must Download the Vbransom Screen Form
-vbr91hfnsmaldfma.onion/vbr4ns0m.exe

Remember! Don’t Try to Kill, Delete and Shutdown Vbransom if You do W Will Make Your Computer Unbootable and the Encrypted Data Cannot Be Decrypted Anymore

No encryption: No necessity for decryption

Since VBRANSOM virus does not encode files, talking about the decryption is a pointless subject. However, we should inform you about the possible methods that can make you immune to ransomware infections. For example, if you store your files in backup storages, you won’t be frightened that the original executables have been encrypted with ciphers. In addition to that, you can keep your data in USB flash drives that are very convenient. Small detail: do not always keep your drivers plugged into your device because ransomware can affect those files as well.

How does ransomware reach computer users?

A typical distribution method for ransomware type of infections is to be appended to spam letters. As you might know, you receive spam when you find an intriguing (but somehow odd at the same time) letter in your inbox. At some cases, these messages seem to be originating from reputable authorities. However, do not get tricked by these vicious senders and always pre-check whether the sender’s email is identical to the one that belongs to the authority. If not, then you should contact the reliable source and inquire about your situation. Before they reply, do not open the suspicious message or download files from it.

Spyhunter or Hitman will assist you in the removal of VBRANSOM virus. If you encounter a new version of this ransomware and it manages to encrypt your files, then do not hesitate to follow our advises for file-restoration below and follow the tips for removal.

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of VBRANSOM 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 VBRANSOM ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore VBRANSOM 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 VBRANSOM ransomware 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 VBRANSOM 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.