A_princ@aol.com is the name of this particular ransomware crypto-virus, because it uses that email address in its ransom message. Lots of viruses from the Troldesh/Shade ransomware family have been seen in the past couple of days. This virus will put a picture with instructions on your desktop once it finishes encrypting files. The ransomware will lock files, placing a long extension ending in .xtbl behind their original one. The virus does not give a set price for decryption but leaves a contact email only. To remove the ransomware and find out how you could restore your files, you should read the whole article.
UPDATE! Kaspersky malware researchers have released a Shade decryptor which can decode files encoded by the the Shade ransomware variants. Since this includes the .xtbl file extension, we have created instructions on how to decrypt your .xtbl files. The instructions can be found on the link below:
Decrypt Files Encrypted by Shade Ransowmare
Threat Summary
| Name | a_princ@aol.com |
| Type | Ransomware, Crypto-Virus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files with an extension ending in a_princ@aol.com.xtbl and leaves an email address as a contact for the supposed decryption of the files. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will place a new picture on your desktop with instructions that point to an email address as a contact. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable Files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
| Data Recovery Tool | 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. |
A_princ@aol.com Virus – Distribution Tactics
The a_princ@aol.com ransomware may have several distribution tactics. Targeted attacks and spam email campaigns are certainly among the main ones. Spam emails usually contain a short message stating that the whole part of it or something important is in the file attached to the letter. The attachment in question could seem ordinary, but if you open it, the file will release the payload for the ransomware and infect your computer. Be on high alert while browsing through emails which seem suspicious, especially if they have attachments or download links.
Social media sites and services for file-sharing are another possible way of distribution for the a_princ@aol.com virus. The script with the payload could be inside executables or batch files, presented as useful utilities on the above-mentioned networks. A good advice to follow so you might prevent ransomware infecting your PC is to avoid emails, files or links which seem suspicious or of unknown origins. Also, before opening any files, check the signatures and sizes of files and possibly scan them with security software.
A_princ@aol.com Virus – Detailed Overview
The a_princ@aol.com virus belongs to the Shade/Troldesh family of ransomware. These viruses are widely known to encrypt files with a long extension containing the email they use for contact and putting the .xtbl extension at the end. That is why some researchers label this as a XTBL ransomware type.
This virus is named after the email that its maker has left as a contact – a_princ@aol.com.
The ransomware will place the following file and use it as a starting point for infecting your system:
%WINDIR%\System32\Payload.exe
The virus will then create an executable file and probably create a registry entry, so it makes it run with each start of Windows. Other files that the ransomware will create are a text file and a picture with the instructions. Those files will remain hidden until your files get locked. After that, the virus encrypts files found on your disk drives and on storage devices you have connected.
Whenever the encryption process is done, you will see that your desktop background will have a new wallpaper and a text file, too. Both will have the name How to decrypt your files. This is what the wallpaper looks like:
The text on that image reads:
Attention!!!
To restore information email technical support
send 3 encrypted files
a_princ@aol.com
The other one is a .txt file and its contents are the following:
The a_princ@aol.com virus does not give a particular price for the decryption of your data. No deadline is provided either. The ransomware maker has put only one email for contact, and that is what distinguishes this variant of the ransomware from others in the security world.
Do NOT contact the a_princ@aol.com email trying to negotiate a price for paying the ransom. Even if you do that, you may not get your data back. Funding cyber criminals will only give them more money to aid them in their criminal activity. As a_princ@aol.com is a variant of the Shade/Troldesh ransomware family, there is a way you could try to recover your files. A decryptor tool made by Kaspersky exists, and you can check it from the instructions written under this article.
The a_princ@aol.com ransomware encrypts a lot of file types. The ransomware encrypts files that have these file extensions:
→.odc, .odm, .odp, .ods, .odt, .docm, .docx, .doc, .odb, .mp4, sql, .7z, .m4a, .rar, .wma, .gdb, .tax, .pkpass, .bc6, .bc7, .avi, .wmv, .csv, .d3dbsp, .zip, .sie, .sum, .ibank, .t13, .t12, .qdf, .bkp, .qic, .bkf, .sidn, .sidd, .mddata, .itl, .itdb, .icxs, .hvpl, .hplg, .hkdb, .mdbackup, .syncdb, .gho, .cas, .svg, .map, .wmo, .itm, .sb, .fos, .mov, .vdf, .ztmp, .sis, .sid, .ncf, .menu, .layout, .dmp, .blob, .esm, .vcf, .vtf, .dazip, .fpk, .mlx, .kf, .iwd, .vpk, .tor, .psk, .rim, .w3x, .fsh, .ntl, .arch00, .lvl, .snx, .cfr, .ff, .vpp_pc, .lrf, .m2, .mcmeta, .vfs0, .mpqge, .kdb, .db0, .dba, .rofl, .hkx, .bar, .upk, .das, .iwi, .litemod, .asset, .forge, .ltx, .bsa, .apk, .re4, .sav, .lbf, .slm, .bik, .epk, .rgss3a, .pak, .big, wallet, .wotreplay, .xxx, .desc, .py, .m3u, .flv, .js, .css, .rb, .png, .jpeg, .txt, .p7c, .p7b, .p12, .pfx, .pem, .crt, .cer, .der, .x3f, .srw, .pef, .ptx, .r3d, .rw2, .rwl, .raw, .raf, .orf, .nrw, .mrwref, .mef, .erf, .kdc, .dcr, .cr2, .crw, .bay, .sr2, .srf, .arw, .3fr, .dng, .jpe, .jpg, .cdr, .indd, .ai, .eps, .pdf, .pdd, .psd, .dbf, .mdf, .wb2, .rtf, .wpd, .dxg, .xf, .dwg, .pst, .accdb, .mdb, .pptm, .pptx, .ppt, .xlk, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xls, .wps
After all, files get encrypted, you will see that all files will have the following extension appended to them – .id-[eight digit number]-a_princ@aol.com.xtbl.
Next, the ransomware may send some the following data to a remote location:
- Trojan ID
- Compromised computer ID
- Host name
- Email address used by the Trojan
- Number of encrypted document, archive, database, and image files
- Total number of encrypted files
The A_princ@aol.com ransomware might delete the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows Operating System. Read further to learn how you might decrypt your files.
Remove A_princ@aol.com Virus and Restore .xtbl Files
If your computer is infected with the a_princ@aol.com ransomware, you should have some experience with removing viruses. You should get rid of this ransomware as fast as you can before it can spread deeper in the network you use and infect more files. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions manual provided below. To see how you might try to recover your files, check the step titled 3. Restore files encrypted by a_princ@aol.com.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for a_princ@aol.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by a_princ@aol.com.
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 a_princ@aol.com 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.
a_princ@aol.com-FAQ
What is a_princ@aol.com Ransomware?
a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com Infect?
Via several ways.a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com 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 .a_princ@aol.com files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .a_princ@aol.com 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 .a_princ@aol.com files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".a_princ@aol.com" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this a_princ@aol.com 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 a_princ@aol.com 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.
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