How to Remove Adylkuzz Virus Completely

How to Remove Adylkuzz Ransomware?

In the light of the ongoing ransomware cyber attacks, many PC users jumped to the conclusion that Adylkuzz is yet another ransomware. Even though Adylkuzz shares many characteristics with the infamous WannaCry, Adylkuzz is actually another type of infection. It is a cryptocurrency miner. Adylkuzz is digging a cryptocurrency called Monero. This type of infection is much more profitable to the cyber criminals than the ransomware one. So, it is not a surprise that Adylkuzz is much “bigger” than WannaCry. Security experts are arguing that the ransomware attacks are a diversion. Adylkuzz is active since May 2, which is more than a week before the first ransomware attacks. Due to its stealthy nature, it was not immediately detected. The ransomware attacks stole the people’s attention. The virus has spent weeks on its victims’ computers and the users didn’t even notice it. Even though you may not suffer now, yet, if you neglect this issue, the consequences will be devastating. Let’s explain what a miner is. There are many cryptocurrencies. Adylkuzz is using your computer’s CPU to solve complex math problems and, hence, search the web for data blocks that will “click.” when this happens, as if by magic, the cryptocurrency will appear. This process is known as “mining”. It works in the background and in some cases. Those operations are intensive. They require CPU power, and hence, your computer uses a lot of electricity. If your PC radiates heat, check it. You may have a problem.

How did I get infected with?

The Adylkuzz virus did not materialize as if by magic. It was distributed and installed on your PC. And you are involved in this. Yes, that is right. Your carelessness is the reason your computer is infected. It all started with an email. The good old spam emails are still the most commonly used virus distribution technique. Scammers tend to write on behalf of well-known organizations and companies. They would attach corrupted files. When you download such an attachment, Adylkuzz will be distributed directly to your machine. Actually, the attachments are not the only thing that can be corrupted. The email may contain a malicious link which will do the same job. Before you even open an email from a stranger, check the sender’s contacts. You can do so by entering the questionable email address into some search engine. If it was used for shady business, someone must have complained online. Yet, this method is not flawless. New emails are created every day. If you are a part of the firs wave of spam emails, there can’t be evidence just yet. Double-check the sender. If the email pretends to be from an organization, visit their official website. There, under the contact section, you can find their authorized email addresses. Compare them with the one you have received a message from. If they don’t match, you know what to do. Delete the spam email immediately. There are other virus distribution methods. Some of them include torrents, corrupted ads, and freeware bundling. The key to a secure and infection free computer is caution. Be vigilant! When installing a program, forget about the “next-next-finish” method. Opt for advanced installation and read the terms and conditions before you agree to anything. Your computer’s security is your responsibility. Do your due diligence!

Why is Adylkuzz dangerous?

Adylkuzz is not something you would like to keep on your machine. This virus can ruin your device. To do its malicious business, it requires enormous processing power. Thus, it uses a lot of energy. Your electricity bill will double, maybe even triple. It is not a joke. If you have a laptop, you will ruin your battery for sure. The virus causes your machine to radiate heat. If your cooling system is not efficient enough, the virus will damage your hardware. Adylkuzz is an infection. It opened a hole in your security. Hackers can use it to create even bigger chaos on your machine. Once they are done with your PC, they can transfer a ransomware on it. The longer this parasite remains on board, the worst the consequences. Do yourself a favor. Remove this threat immediately.

Adylkuzz Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Adylkuzz 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 Adylkuzz 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 Adylkuzz 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.