VenusLocker ransomware - How to remove

Usually the creators of ransomware viruses are not focused on good grammar, manners or politeness. VenusLocker virus is a surprising variant, especially when it leaves behind such a detailed and courteous letter of demands. It comprehensively explains the situation and advises to contact [email protected] if infected victims have any questions or concerns. At the end, the ransom note even has “Best Regards” phrase. In addition to this, these crooks are not that greedy and only ask 0.15 Bitcoin (about 100 US dollars). Of course, we are not trying to praise the hackers for their efforts: it is quite sad that shady programmers can viciously encrypt files for only the mere possibility of getting 100 dollars. Maybe the tactic, selected by VenusLocker virus, is not to seem as aggressive at first and later on, disappear after receiving the required sum of money.

About VenusLocker Ransomware

VenusLocker virus is just a recently spotted pest and it is similar to the EDA2 ransomware. After the payload of this new variant is dropped into your computer system, the encryption does not take long to begin. VenusLocker ransomware has selected to utilize a rather complicated combination of the encryption algorithms: both AES-256 and RSA-2048 are making sure that the encoding is strong enough. After a presumable amount of data is completely out of reach and ruined, VenusLocker virus adds an extension to the corrupted files: .Venusf. This helps to identify which files had been influenced by this infection. Then, ransomware drops a ransom note ReadMe.txt and changes your desktop background. Crooks only give you 72 hours to pay the required fee. If such transaction is not done in time, hackers threaten to destroy the private decryption key for good. Every infected user will receive a special ID number. This code has to be sent to hackers’ email account once the payment is made. VenusLocker virus promises to only one day until it sends you the decryption key.

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by VenusLocker Ransomware?

Do not buy bitcoins and certainly do not send them to the creators of VenusLocker virus. The decryption key might not even be send or the received one might dysfunction and leave your files encrypted. If you want to have a chance to access your files once again, you should try out a couple of techniques. First, if you have stored your data in backup storages, the solution is clear: retrieve data from there. However, many users do not take advantage of such facilities. Then, infected users should try to use already created file-recovery tools. Sometimes IT specialist manage to create special decryptors for separate ransomware viruses. Now such service is not yet offered for the people, suffering from VenusLocker virus.

How is VenusLocker Ransomware Distributed?

VenusLocker virus probably selected the popular technique to be distributed. Infectious email letters might have been sent around in the hopes of finding gullible people. Do not open messages that seem to be suspicious. The source of these emails might be seemingly recognizable or even very familiar. However, crooks know to manipulate and are only trying to trick you. Do not download attachments that are frequently appended to the sent letters. The file can actually be a payload of a ransomware virus.

If you wish to be protected 24/7, have a strong antivirus program. Spyhunter, Hitman or Malwarebytes can help you fix security and privacy issues. It will automatically destroy VenusLocker virus and allow you to continue with the attempts to decrypt your data.

Update of the 23rd of December, 2016. VenusLocker has renewed. Now it leaves the following ransom note:

The size of the ransom increased to 1 BTC, which, according to the steady rise of this digital currency, is equal to 934.65 USD. Additionally, the following BTC address is provided: 16jvWspVfvhjRgJhGCDETf29cjQAyNmx9G. What is more, venuslocker@torbox3uiot6wchz e-mail for contacting is left.

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of VenusLocker 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 VenusLocker virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore VenusLocker 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 VenusLocker 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 VenusLocker 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.