What Is Aamv Virus?
Aamv virus is a new file extension employed by a ransomware iteration that belongs to the STOP/DJVU ransomware. If you see this extension appended to your files, you will also see a ransom note that demands a ransom fee for a unique decryption key generated during the encryption process. This key is supposed to help with the decryption of your locked files.
Once the AAMV ransomware gets inside your computer system, it initiates a number of processes that tamper with system security and leave the infected system extremely vulnerable to future malware attacks.
The final stage of the infection is marked by the creation of the file _readme.txt that contains a ransom message instructing victims how to pay the ransom. Continue reading to learn more about the AAMV ransomware and how to remove it from your system.
AAMV Virus Summary
| Name | AAMV also known as UDS:Trojan.Win32.Chapak.gen, Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.KM!MTB, Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj], Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj], A Variant Of Win32/GenKryptik.FHJB – more detections of this virus on VirusTotal |
| File Extension | .aamv |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The AAMV Virus ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .aamv extension to them. |
| Ransom Note | _readme.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
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AAMV Virus – How Did I Get Infected?
AAMV is a computer infection that shares lots of similarities with other versions of the STOP ransomware. Other recently detected variants of this ransomware include JJWW and HHEW.The main attack strategies used by the malware authors of AAMV virus have been identified to be the following:
- E-mail messages sent to users by the names of trustworthy brands and services. What’s typical for these e-mails is the presence of file attachments of common types (PDF, documents, archives, etc.) or URLs. Such elements could possibly download and run ransomware code on each computer device.
- Shady sites that promote various supposedly useful apps or cracked versions of legitimate applications. Installation packages downloaded from such sites may deliver the ransomware infection directly to your computer system.
When an infection with AAMV virus occurs as a result of the download of a document crafted to trigger malicious macros, for example, the following process may run in the background of all other active processes:
AAMV Virus – What Does It Do?
The activation of AAMV virus on your computer system may help it to establish a remote connection with a remote host from where the ransomware may download additional malicious files. Files may exist under different names in different folders. Where they may be located in are the following Windows directories:
- %LocalLow%
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %Temp%
- %Windows%
- %SystemDrive%
- %System%
- %system32%
Typically, crypto viruses like AAMV corrupt Windows Registries in order to broaden the scope of the processes they could launch. By setting malicious value entries, AAMV ransomware can affect different system settings. The registy sub-keys Run and RunOnce may be infected and set to run malware files automatically on every Windows start:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
The AAMV virus will also drop its _readme.txt ransom note file. Its load on the screen displays the following:
What Are .aamv Files?
All .aamv virus files are locked by the use the AES encryption algorithm. Additional ciphers may have been added to the buil-it encoding module of this variant of STOP. All personal files that are detected to be among the targets of this ransomware will be transformed and renamed with the extension .aamv. All of the following types of files may be encoded:
- Videos (.mp4, .avi, etc.).
- Audio (.mp3, .wav, etc.).
- Picture file kinds (.jpg, .png, .etc).
- Archive file formats (.zip, .rar, etc).
- Documents of different types (.docx, .pptx, etc.).
- Others.
The rename pattern used by aamv virus makes corrupted files names look like:
Picture.jpg.aamv
Unfortunately, if your files have been encrypted by AAMV ransomware, it most probably means that the battle is lost. The chances to get your files restored on your own or with the help of a company/a professional that advertises decryption capabilities are nearly non-existent. What most such companies and professionals do is buy a decryption tool from the ransomware operators, and add a markup to the ransom amount upon charging you for their decryption services. In other words, trusting anyone, other than an officially released decrypter, with the decryption of your files is utterly pointless. We will update this article once we have more information on possible decryption, even though the chances are quite slim. What you should do for now is remove the ransomware from your system, so that it doesn’t reinfect you and it doesn’t spread further. Continue reading to get to the final part of the article where we provide technical removal instructions.
How to Remove AAMV Virus?
To remove AAMV virus from your computer, our main advice is to follow the removal instructions beneath this post. These steps are specifically designed to make it easier for you to delete the virus with all of its files either manually or automatically. If you want a removal process with a maximum effectiveness, our primary suggestion is to delete the virus automatically, using a professional anti-malware software, as many experts would advise. Such a program is designed to thoroughly scan your computer and get it rid of any virus plus protect your computer in the future as well.
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Step 1: Scan for AAMV with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall AAMV and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by AAMV on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by AAMV there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove AAMV
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by AAMV.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and AAMV aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
AAMV-FAQ
What is AAMV Ransomware?
AAMV is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does AAMV Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does AAMV Infect?
Via several ways.AAMV Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of AAMV is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open .AAMV files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .AAMV files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .AAMV files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".AAMV" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .AAMV files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of AAMV Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate AAMV ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .AAMV files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can AAMV Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the AAMV Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this AAMV how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the AAMV ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.