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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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
How to Remove Angry Duck from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Angry Duck
Step 2: Uninstall Angry Duck and related software 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 uninstall most 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: Scan for Angry Duck with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Angry Duck.
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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of Angry Duck from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Angry Duck and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Angry Duck via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Angry Duck.
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 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 and how does it work?
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 algorithm how 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.
How does Angry Duck ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Angry Duck Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
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. At this point the .Angry Duck files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
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.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Angry Duck ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Angry Duck" files (Other Methods)?
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% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Angry Duck ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Angry Duck ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Angry Duck files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Angry Duck ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
