Vipasana ransomware has been reported to encrypt mainline servers as well as PCs on a global scale. The name of the crypto-malware has nothing to do with the actual “Vipassana” which translates to a type of meditation. The ransom message of this malware is in Russian, and it creates malicious files on the user PC after which scans for and encrypts user data with a strong cypher. All users who have been affected by it are strongly advised to be very cautious when it comes to this cyber-threat.
Name | Vipasana |
Type | Ransomware |
Short Description | Encrypts key user files leaving them unable to be opened. |
Symptoms | The user may witness the ransom message set as a wallpaper on the Desktop of the affected PC. |
Distribution Method | Via malicious URLs or malicious attachments. |
Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
User Experience | Join our forum to discuss Vipasana. |
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 Vipasana Ransomware Spread
This malware may be spread via many different methods. The primary method of spreading ransomware is via exploit kits featured in malicious e-mail web links:
Not only this, but the malware may spread over various local networks and infect the computers on the networks via spam bots. Another method of it spreading is in online chats and the social media, via malicious URLs. Either way, users are strongly advised to take caution when it comes opening web links and always to do it through a secure browser, virtual drive or a sandbox application.
What Does Vipasana Ransomware Do?
Once it has been activated on your computer, Vipasana displays a ransom message in Russian. The message is the following:
The translation of the message goes as follows:
→ “Your files have been encrypted. If you want to get them back, send 1 encrypted file to this mail:
Vipasana4@aol.com
ATTENTION! You have one week to write me an email regarding this situation. After this deadline, the decryption of the files will be impossible.”
Besides the primary e-mail address, there has also been another one reported to be used by hackers – johnmen.24@aol.com. This is particularly creative, because the creators of Vipasana want to establish contact with their victims before giving any other instructions, instead of directly telling them what to do. What is good for the user is that they give him 1-week deadline which is more than enough if there is a decryption method. However, it is not yet clear what encryption algorithm is being used by this ransomware. It is believed that the cypher may be RSA or AES or possibly both of them combined.
After this ransomware has situated its files on your computer, it begins to scan for the following file extensions, according to Blaze’s Security Blog:
→ .r3d, .rwl, .rx2, .p12, .sbs, .sldasm, .wps, .sldprt, .odc, .odb, .old, .nbd, .nx1, .nrw, .orf, .ppt, .mov, .mpeg, .csv, .mdb, .cer, .arj, .ods, .mkv, .avi, .odt, .pdf, .docx, .gzip, .m2v, .cpt, .raw, .cdr, .cdx, .1cd, .3gp, .7z, .rar, .db3, .zip, .xlsx, .xls, .rtf, .doc, .jpeg, .jpg, .psd, .zip, .ert, .bak, .xml, .cf, .mdf, .fil, .spr, .accdb, .abf, .a3d, .asm, .fbx, .fbw, .fbk, .fdb, .fbf, .max, .m3d, .dbf, .ldf, .keystore, .iv2i, .gbk, .gho, .sn1, .sna, .spf, .sr2, .srf, .srw, .tis, .tbl, .x3f, .ods, .pef, .pptm, .txt, .pst, .ptx, .pz3, .mp3, .odp, .qic, .wps Source: Blaze’s Security Blog
The encrypted files are with random file extensions, and they look as the following example shows:
→ New Text Document.email-vipasana4@aol.com.ver-CL 1.2.0.id-{random ID}-{date and time of encryption}.{random three letter file extension}
After it scans for the files, the ransomware ciphers them, rendering the files unusable, at least not before they are decrypted. Users are strongly advised not to trust any cyber-crook utilizing this ransomware and to focus on removing this malicious threat from your device and seeking alternative methods to restore your data, instead of paying ransom money to the cyber-criminals.
Remove Vipasana Ransomware from Your Computer and Try to Restore Your Data
To be rid of this malware from your device, we strongly advise you to take the after-mentioned methodologically arranged removal steps. They will make sure the cyber-threat is gone from your computer without having to reinstall Windows.
Regarding file restoration, we strongly advise you not to pay the ransom money because:
- You fund the cyber-criminals.
- Your files may not be decrypted after all.
Instead, you may want to follow our security blog about any updates on the decryption and meanwhile try some or all of the general file recovering methods from step “4” in the instructions below.
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 Vipasana from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Vipasana





Step 2: Uninstall Vipasana 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:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Vipasana 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 Vipasana there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



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 Vipasana with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Vipasana.
Ransomware infections and Vipasana 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 Vipasana from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Vipasana 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 Vipasana 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 Vipasana.
Ransomware infections and Vipasana 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.
Vipasana FAQ
What is Vipasana ransomware and how does it work?
Vipasana 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 Vipasana ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Vipasana 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 Vipasana 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 .Vipasana files?
You can't. At this point the .Vipasana 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 .Vipasana files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Vipasana 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 ".Vipasana" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Vipasana 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 Vipasana 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 Vipasana ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Vipasana files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Vipasana 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.