.VaPo Virus Files
A ransomware infection dubbed .VaPo virus files has been spotted in the wild. This nasty software is a cryptovirus. Hackers have created this computer infection by using the code of the Xorist ransomware. VaPo virus contaminates essential system settings, encodes personal files, extorts a ransom of 0.4 of Bitcoin, and leaves infected machines extremely vulnerable to future malware intrusions.
Since VaPo encrypts target files with a sophisticated cipher algorithm, it leaves them completely inaccessible. All files encoded by this ransomware display the .VaPo extension as part of their names.
VaPo Virus Summary
| Name | VaPo also known as Trojan[Ransom]/Win32.Xorist, Win32.Trojan-Ransom.Xorist.D, Ransom_XORIST.SMA, Trojan.TR/Ransom.Xorist.EJ |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Ransom Notes | HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt, a desktop wallpaper, and a pop-up window |
| Short Description | The threat encrypts target files stored on your computer, marks them with the .VaPo extension and extorts a ransom by displaying a ransom message. |
| Symptoms | Important files are encoded and renamed with .VaPo extension. You cannot open them. Hackers demand a ransom payment. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
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The VaPo Virus In Details
The new strain of Xorist ransomware – VaPo has been lurking around the web. Infection files are likely to be distriuted via email spam campaigns.
Malspam is a technique that enables hackers to deliver malicious code on users’ PCs by using specially crafted email messages. Email messages that contain malware tend to have one or more of the following traits:
- A link to a compromised web page that hosts the ransomware payload on it.
- Or a malicious file attachment that is presented as a legitimate document.
The moment the ransomware infection is executed on a PC, it drops additional malicious files on the system to complete the attack. You may find files dropped by VaPo virus in the following folders:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
An infection with the VaPo ransomware virus leads to lasting system changes. Once infected with VaPo ransomware, your PC remains vulnerable to additional malware attacks until you remove all ransomware files from the system.
Some registry keys may be affected by the ransomware. Those keys may be RUN and RUNONCE. The reason for the contamination of these keys is their ability to execute various files and apps automatically. VaPo ransomware misuses their functionalities to load automatically its malicious files every time you start the infected PC.
Regarding the data encryption stage, VaPo virus utilizes strong cipher algorithms to encrypt personal files and leaves them out of order. Similar to its predecessors – Mame vse and Ssghl, VaPo virus is likely to scan drives for all files that have one of following extensions:
→.zip, .rar, .7z, .tar, .gzip, .jpg, .jpeg, .psd, .cdr, .dwg, .max, .bmp, .gif, .png, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .txt, .pdf, .djvu, .htm, .html, .mdb, .cer, .p12, .pfx, .kwm, .pwm, .1cd, .md, .mdf, .dbf, .odt, .vob, .ifo, .lnk, .torrent, .mov, .m2v, .3gp, .mpeg, .mpg, .flv, .avi, .mp4, .wmv, .divx, .mkv, .mp3, .wav, .flac, .ape, .wma, .ac3
Whenever the threat detects a target file, it transforms parts of its original code. This makes the file unusable. It appears with the extension .VaPo appended to its name after the encryption.
This nasty impact is misused by cybercriminals who stand behind VaPo ransomware attacks. Their threat will present you with a ransom message, a pop-up window, and a desktop wallpaper in an attempt to force you to pay a ransom fee for the recovery of .VaPo files.
The ransom message stored by the text file HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt reads the following:
In your attention!!!
Hello, your server is very vulnerable, that’s why you became a victim of ransomware
All your files are currently encrypted
However, there is also good news, the files can be decrypted if you pay 0.04 bitcoin.
All you have to do is follow the steps below.Buy 0.04 bitcoin, you can easily buy bitcoin from this sites:
www.localbitcoins[.]com
www.paxful[.]comSend the amount to this wallet: 1KU1mYmVcjXVRYj766ruvhhfRwpGK3RDfT
After sending, contact us at this email address: vapotin@tuta.io
With this subject: –Immediately after this, you will receive an email with the keys and a small tutorial for decrypting the files.
Here’s another list of where to buy bitcoin:
hxxps://bitcoin.org/en/exchanges
Apparently, the purpose of this file is to blackmail you into transferring 0.04 Bitcoin which is $1944 at the moment of writing this article to hackers’ cryptocurrency wallet. Afterward, you are expected to contact them at vapotin@tuta.io in order to receive further instructions on how to receive the decryption software.
We recommend that you don’t trust hackers and cope with this ransomware by yourself instead. With the help of the secure methods, we present below you can clean your system and invest your time in a secure future for your PC.
Remove VaPo Virus and Try to Restore Data
The Xorist ransomware strain associated with .VaPo extension is a threat with highly complex code that plagues not only your files but your whole system. So you should properly clean and secure your infected system before you could use it regularly again. Below you could find a step-by-step removal guide that may be helpful in attempting to remove this ransomware. Choose the manual removal approach if you have previous experience with malware files. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps select the automatic section from the guide. Steps there enable you to check the infected system for ransomware files and remove them with a few mouse clicks.
If you want to understand how to potentially fix encrypted files with the help of alternative data recovery approaches, make sure to read carefully all details mentioned in the step “Restore files”. We remind you that before you begin with the data recovery process, you should back up all encrypted files to an external drive as this will help you to prevent their irreversible loss.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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 VaPo Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove VaPo Virus
Step 2: Uninstall VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by VaPo Virus.
Ransomware infections and VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus.
Ransomware infections and VaPo Virus 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.
VaPo Virus FAQ
What is VaPo Virus ransomware and how does it work?
VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus 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 .VaPo Virus files?
You can't. At this point the .VaPo Virus 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 .VaPo Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by VaPo Virus 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 ".VaPo Virus" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus 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 VaPo Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .VaPo Virus files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like VaPo Virus 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.
How to 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.
