Ransomware virus known by the name Angry Duck has been reported to cause problems for users. Funnily enough, the virus uses .adk file extension and a duck for a wallpaper along with a ransom message claiming it has used the AES-512 and RSA-64 ciphers for encryption, which is very strange because AES-512 encryption is very difficult to use In ransomware viruses due to the risk of the encryption breaking the files. Either way, anyone who has been infected by this ransomware virus should not bay the 10 BTC amount requested by the cyber-criminals. Instead we strongly urge you to check carefully our removal and file restoration tips in this article to learn more about the Angry Duck virus and how to deal with it until a decryptor has been released.
Threat Summary
| Name |
Angry Duck |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The malware encrypts users files using a strong encryption algorithm, making direct decryption possible only via a unique decryption key available to the cyber-criminals. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness ransom notes and “instructions” linking to a web page and a decryptor. Changed file names and the file-extension .adk has been used. |
| Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss Angry Duck. |
| 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. |
How Is Angry Duck Distributed
For it to be successful while it infects users, the Angry Duck virus may undertake massive spam campaigns allowing it to infect via lying messages that it is a legitimate e-mail attachment or a URL, just like CrySiS ransomware. There are even cases where the fake spam e-mails represent fraudulent Facebook, LinkedIn or other notifications, whose buttons lead to malicious web links that cause the infection, like the fake phishing message below:
To ensure maximum success during infection, the cyber-criminals behind Angry Duck may be focused primarily on several tools and programs that help the payload being delivered uninterruptedly:
- Malicious JavaScript.
- Exploit Kits.
- Malware obfuscators.
- Other distribution malware.
Angry Duck Ransomware – What Happens When Infected?
As soon as the virus has infected a targeted computer via one of the above-mentioned methods, it may immediately drop it’s malicious files in one or more of the following Windows folders:
- %AppData%
- %Roaming%
- %SystemDrive%
- %Local%
- %UserProfile%
Angry Duck ransomware then may either drop files such as the ransom note and the malicious executable that encrypts files in the %Startup% folder or the virus may modify the registry entries Run and Run once adding a path to the malicious file.
As soon as the malicious files of Angry Duck ransomware are run on system startup, the virus may begin to encipher various widely used files, such as videos, documents, database files, photos, audio files and others. To do this successfully, Angry Duck ransomware is pre-programmed to attack files with notorious file extensions, for example:
After it encrypts the files, Angry Duck virus adds a unique .adk file extension to their original one and renders the files to be no longer openable. Encrypted files by Angry Duck look like the following:
The virus also leaves it’s distinctive Angry Duck ransom note that has the following message:
“*** ANGRY DUCK ***
All your important files have been encrypted using very string cryptography (AES-512 with RSA-64 FIPS grade encryption)
To recover your files send 10 BTC to my private wallet.
DON’T MESS WITH THE DUCKS!!”
The encrypted files may be enciphered using AES and RSA ciphers combined, just like it says on the ransom note of the virus, however, it may also be deceitful to fool reverse engineers or people who are seeking decryptors for those ciphers. Malware researcher Michael Gillespie identified encrypted files by a unique file marker this virus uses that says “THIS FILE HAS BEEN ENCRYPTED BY ANGRYDUCK”:
Angry Duck Ransomware – Conclusion and Removal and File Restoration
As a bottom line, Angry Duck Ransomware is a virus that may be decryptable and may not be as sophisticated as it’s ransom note claims it to be. The Angry Duck virus also aims to get users to pay the insane ransom amount of 10 BTC which is classified as unusually high compared to other ransomware viruses. Not only this but paying the ransom may not guarantee the successful recovery of your files which is why researchers strongly advise against doing so. Removal and seeking of alternative file restoration methods like the ones in the instructions below are recommended.
To remove Angry Duck ransomware, you can follow either the manual removal instructions or the automatic ones which include the usage of an advanced anti-malware tool for maximum effectiveness.
To attempt and reverse your files and make them accessible again, there is no decryptor for Angry Duck at this moment. This is the reason we strongly urge you to follow step “2. Restore files encrypted by Angry Duck” below and establish if the virus can be decrypted via those alternative methods. But bear in mind that they may not be 100% guaranteed to succeed, and you should back up your encrypted files before attempting those methods, because they may break indefinitely.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for Angry Duck with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Angry Duck.
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 Angry Duck 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.
Angry Duck-FAQ
What is Angry Duck Ransomware?
Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck Infect?
Via several ways.Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck 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 .Angry Duck files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Angry Duck 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 .Angry Duck files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Angry Duck" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Angry Duck 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 Angry Duck 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.
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