Vvoa Ransomware - How to remove

Vvoa is file-encrypting ransomware. It destroys data, but also, it also installs adware and a password stealer. You can recognize Vvoa ransomware by the file extension that it gives the files that it breaks – .vvoa.

While there is no simple way to fix the files (deleting the Vvoa ransomware does not do it), there are a few options available to the victims of this attack to possibly get some of their data back. Just, whatever you do, don’t fall for scammers.

Vvoa in short:

Classification	Ransomware
How Vvoa works	It spreads with pirated content, it encrypts local files, it asks the victims to pay to have their data restored.
How to restore the files	Use your data backups, use recovery software on your encrypted drives, use the decryptor.
How to remove Vvoa	Delete all malware with a good antivirus tool (Spyhunter, others), reset your passwords in case they were stolen.

How Vvoa ransomware works

It encrypts data

Vvoa is ransomware – a program that hides data by encrypting. This is a new version of Djvu. It was discovered by the operator of ID-Ransomware, a service that you can use to identify what ransomware just attacked your computer.

The goal of Vvoa is to make money, which is why the ransom note that it creates (_readme.txt) asks victims to pay hundreds of dollars in exchange for fixing the files. By the way, you should not pay unless you’re willing to lose that money. The criminals can’t be trusted.

Vvoa usually spreads with craking tools and pirated software. Once the infected executable is run, Vvoa and other malware infections are downloaded. Then, Vvoa deletes backups, hides your Task Manager, and gets to work encrypting data.

Encryption is a method of hiding information. Encrypted files still contain their information, but your programs cannot understand them anymore.

You can tell which files Vvoa has locked by their icons (empty sheet, the default for an unknown file type) and file extensions (.vvoa). Vvoa adds the new extension to the name of each file, like so:

document.docx.vvoa

Note that the vvoa extension is just a label (other ransomware infections use agho, help, encrypted, etc. – it could be any word). Regardless of the extension, the files are broken on the inside. Go ahead, find a txt file and try opening it. After Vvoa has encrypted it, it’s just gibberish.

Other issues

Vvoa likely comes with other malicious programs: adware and spyware. Therefore, you may see pop-up ads and redirects in your browser, as well as your online accounts being hacked.

Once your device is completely clean of any and all spyware, set new passwords so that cybercriminals can’t hack your accounts.

How to get your files back

Restore from backups

The best way to recover from a Vvoa attack and recover your files is to have made a backup of your files before the attack. Just be careful – do not connect your backup with your computer until after you’ve removed Vvoa and all other malware. You don’t want any malware to do any more harm.

If you did not have backups of your files, consider developing this habit. It’s easy once you set it up and it’ll save you in case of not just ransomware, but also a stolen or broken computer.

Decryption

Take the files that Vvoa has locked and run this decryptor on them: Emsisoft.com. In the case that Vvoa experienced technical difficulties (it happens), it may have used a non-unique backup encryption key on your files. This decryptor will tell you if that’s the case.

Then, in case another victim who is in the same situation as you pays the ransom, gets the decryption key, and shares it with others, you can take advantage of that.

Alternative ways to restore your data

Vvoa deletes the backups that it finds on the computer, but you might be able to recover something useful with a recovery program (more at the bottom of this page).

Knowing that Vvoa tries to save time by skipping portions of data while encrypting it, there’s a chance that you can repair some of your files. For instance, if you open an archive (Zip, Rar, 7-zip, etc.) that’s been locked by Vvoa, some of the files inside the archive should still be okay. Another example – you might be able to play some of the locked audio files and only miss a few seconds or the recordings.

Finally, Vvoa may have left some of your files unencrypted – those deep in nested folders. So, check your folders within folders, as some of them may just be okay.

How to delete Vvoa

Scan your device with an antivirus program. Remove all the files and programs that are flagged. Vvoa ransomware gets detected as Trojan, Ransom, Malicious, Unsafe, etc.

But first, you need to make sure that your antivirus program is healthy. Considering that Vvoa attempts to delete antivirus updates, this is a real concern.

Important -- edit the hosts file to unblock security websites

TL DR : The hosts file is edited to block security sites Before the virus can be removed, it's necessary to fix the hosts file (the file which controls which addresses connect to which IPs). That is the reason the majority of security websites is inaccessible when infected with this particular parasite. This infection edits this file to stop certain websites, including anti-malware download sites, from being accessed from the infected computer, making browsers return the "This site can't be reached" error. Luckily, it's trivial to fix the file and remove the edits that were made to it.

Find and edit the hosts file

The hosts file can be found on C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc/hosts. If you don't see it, change the settings to see hidden files.

1. In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, find Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options.
4. Open the View tab.
5. Open Advanced settings.
6. Select "Show hidden files...".
7. Select OK.

Open this file with administrator privileges.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter "notepad".
2. When Notepad shows up in the result, right-click on it.
3. In the menu, choose "Run as administrator"
4. File->Open and browse for the hosts file.

The hosts file should look like this: Delete additional lines that they connect various domain names to the wrong IP address. Save the file.

Download and run the antivirus program

After that, download antivirus programs and use them to remove the ransomware, the trojan, and other malware. Spyhunter (https://www.2-viruses.com/reviews/spyhunter/dwnld/).

Automatic Malware removal tools

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Vvoa 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 Vvoa Ransomware . You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Vvoa 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 Vvoa 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 Vvoa 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.