AiraCrop Virus Removal and Restore ._AiraCropEncrypted! Files

How to Remove AiraCrop Ransomware?

Readers recently started to report the following message being displayed when they boot their computer:

Encrypted Files!
All your files are encrypted. Using encryption AES256-bit and RSA-2048-bit.
Making it impossible to recover the files without the correct private key.
If you are interested in getting is key, and retrieve your files
visit one of the link and enter your key;
https://6kaqkavhpu5dln6x.onion.to/
https://6kaqkavhpu5dln6x.onion.link/
https://mvy3kbqc4adhosdy.onion.to/
https://mvy3kbqc4adhosdy.onion.link/
Alternative link:
http://6kaqkavhpu5dln6x.onion
http://mvy3kbqc4adhosdy.onion
To access the alternate link is mandatory to use the TOR browser available on the link
https://www.torproject.org/download/download
Key:
{UNIQUE DECRYPTION KEY}

AiraCrop is the nth ransomware infection out there. It is just as dangerous and problematic as all the other programs of that kind. There’s a reason why ransomware is so immensely dreaded. Have you had to deal with such parasites so far? No? Then you’re in for a bad surprise. Along with Trojans, ransomware infections are the worst type of parasites. They are sneaky, deceptive and aggressive. That pretty much sums up the infamous AiraCrop Virus. Being a classic ransomware-type program, AiraCrop locks files. Once it gets downloaded, the parasite scans your computer system. This way it locates your personal data. By “personal data”, we mean every single bit of information stored on your PC. Pictures, music, videos, Microsoft Office documents, etc. Ransomware takes down anything of value you have on the device. It goes without saying this could cause you quite a headache. AiraCrop uses the AES 256-bit and RSA 2048-bit algorithm. Thanks to its strong asymmetric cryptography, the virus locks your files. It also renames them. That is how you know the encryption process has successfully ended. AiraCrop adds the ._AiraCropEncrypted! extension to the target files. Seeing this appendix means it’s game over. Your information is now turned into unreadable gibberish that you can’t open. Favorite music files. Precious photos. Funny videos. Important work-related documents/presentations. The pesky AiraCrop Virus is a relatively new infection. However, it has already caused many PC users damage by locking their files. If you thought that was bad, wait till you see what else the parasite has in store. While encrypting your files, AiraCrop creates payment instructions. These ransom notes appear in all folders which contain encrypted data. Usually, the files are named How_to_decrypt_your_files.txt. Keep in mind that there are several versions of this program. Your ransom note might be in .html format. In addition, the extension itself could be different. Some variants of the AiraCrop Ransomware add .airacropencrypted! to your files. Regardless of the name of its extension, this program is devastating. It bombards you with ransom notes for one very simple reason. AiraCrop is trying to steal your money. You see, ransomware is nothing but a clever attempt for a scam. If you allow hackers to extort Bitcoins from you, they won’t think twice about it. According to the ransom messages, you need a special decryptor to free your files. Making a deal with cyber criminals is a horrendous idea, though.

How did I get infected with?

AiraCrop was probably sent straight to your inbox. Most ransomware infections travel the Web that way. Have you recently opened such a questionable email? In the future, watch out for parasites. Unless you pay close attention online, you may compromise your PC yourself. Avoid suspicious email-attachments and messages in social media. Those are often corrupted and include malware. Delete what you don’t trust and be cautious. Ransomware also uses the help of Trojan horses. Check out the computer for more infections as AiraCrop might have company. Another popular technique involves exploit kits or malicious torrents. The virus could get attached to freeware/shareware bundles as well.  Last but not least, stay away from illegitimate websites and third-party pop-ups. One single careless move could end in many long hours fighting a virus. Now that you know how harmful ransomware is, make sure you protect your PC. Trust us on this one – your caution will eventually pay off.

Why is AiraCrop dangerous?

AiraCrop completely denies you access to your data. Your very own files stored on your very own PC. Hackers use this cheap trickery to make you pay for a decryption key. There are many people who would give into their panic and frustration when all their files get locked. AiraCrop encrypts your data in silence. Once it locks your information, it starts convincing you that you need to make a payment. You do not. If anything, giving crooks your Bitcoins would only worsen your situation. The ransomware provides a link to a Tor website and an email address (airacrop@vpn.tg). Obviously, crooks are attempting to trick you into paying. They even give you a deadline of 24 hours to comply. The problem is that paying guarantees you absolutely nothing. More often than not, cyber criminals just ignore their victims. To prevent getting scammed, delete the AiraCrop Virus now. You will find our detailed manual removal guide down below.

AiraCrop Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover AiraCrop Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with AiraCrop encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate AiraCrop encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.