Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by .aira and other threats.
Threats such as .aira may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article has been created in order to help you by showing you how to remove the .aira files virus from your computer and how to restore files encrypted by it.
The .aira files virus is the type of ransomware infection which aims to encrypt the files on the infected computer, setting a custom file extension to them. The malware, whose primary purpose is to encrypt the files on your computer and drop a ransom note, named How to decrypt your files.txt, also aims to get you to pay a hefty ransom in BitCoin in order to get the files decrypted once again. Many do believed that the .aira files virus is part of the AiraCrop ransomware, which came out in 2016.
Threat Summary
Name
.aira
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
Aims to encrypt the files on your computer and extort you into paying a hefty ransom fee in order to decrypt them.
Symptoms
The ransomware aims to set the .aira file extension to the encrypted files and drops a ransom note, called How to decrypt your files.txt
Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive.
.aira Files Virus – How Does It Infect
The primary methods of infection, used by the .aira ransomware aim to get victims to download the malicious file, thinking it’s legitimate. One of those methods is if the cyber-criminals send the malicious file to the victim via e-mail, making it seem as if it was a legitimate type of a file. The e-mails often aim to resemble legitimate types of messages, whose primary purpose is to trick victims into downloading the malicious file as it may resemble:
Invoice.
Receipt.
Other form of seemingly legitimate document.
In addition to this, the malicious files, related to .aira ransomware may also come to your computer by being uploaded on software providing sites, pretending to be:
Setups of software.
Cracks.
Patches.
Software license activators.
Drivers.
Key generators.
.aira Ransomware – Further Information
As soon as .aira ransomware virus is installed on your computer, the malware may begin to drop it’s payload files on the compromised computer. The .aira ransomware may drop files in the following Windows folders:
%AppData%
%Local%
%Temp%
%Roaming%
%LocalLow%
Once the ransomware has dropped it’s malicious files on the victim’s PC, the virus may begin to create mutexes, copy itself on multiple places and then it may also create various different types of programs on the user’s computer. The malware may also modify the Windows Registry Editor by adding registry entries with values in the following Windows Registry sub-keys:
Once this ransomware infection has been set to run automatically when you boot Windows, it may also drop it’s ransom note file. The ransom note file is named How to decrypt your files.txt:
“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; {tor URLS} Alternative link: {tor URLS} 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}”
.aira Files Virus – Encryption Process
In order to encrypt the files on the computer, the .aira files virus, being a new AiraCrop ransomware variant may take part in an encryption mode, involving AES and RSA encryption algorithm. This may result in the ransomware virus being able to encrypt the files on your computer using one of the algorithm and encrypt the decryption key using the other, making the file decryption even more complex. To encrypt the encrypted files on your computer, the .aira files virus aims to perform various different types of activities including replacing key data from the original file with data from the encrypted files, resulting in the ransomware making the files seem corrupt. The main files, that are attacked by the .aira Files Virus are often used types of files that may have the following file extensions:
After the encryption process has completed, the ransomware virus may begin to set the .aira file extension to the files and they may look like the following afterwards:
Remove .aira Ransomware and Restore Encrypted Files
The .aira files virus is the type of ransomware infection which can be removed by following the removal instructions underneath this article. They are specifically created in order to help you to get rid of this ransomware either manually or automatically. If you lack the experience in performing ransomware removal manually, security experts always advise to download an advanced anti-malware software. It can help you to automatically remove the .aira files virus from your computer and protect it against any infections in the future too.
Furthermore, if you want to restore files, that have been encrypted by this ransomware, we advise you to try the alternative methods for file recovery underneath this article in step “2. Restore files encrypted by .aira files virus”. They are created so that they can help you to restore as many files, encrypted by the virus as possible.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by .aira and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as .aira. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove .aira follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .aira files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by .aira on your PC
Find files created by .aira
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove .aira with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .aira and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove .aira. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by .aira
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .aira
Ransomware infections and .aira aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article has been created in order to help you by showing you how to remove the .aira files virus from your computer and how to restore files encrypted by it.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .aira and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
