Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Viki and other threats.
Threats such as Viki may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
This article will aid you in removing the Viki ransomware absolutely. Follow the ransomware removal instructions given at the bottom of the article.
The Viki ransomware has been discovered by the malware researcher Marcelo Rivero. It will encrypt your files, while adding the .viki extension to all of them. The Viki virus will display a ransom message written both in the Russian and English languages. The malware threat might also be known as CryptoViki. Read on to see how you can potentially recover some of your data.
Threat Summary
Name
Viki
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
The ransomware virus will encrypt your files and show a message screen with ransomware instructions for payment, both in Russian and English.
Symptoms
The ransomware will encrypt your files while placing the .Viki extension to them.
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.
Viki Ransomware – Spread
Viki ransomware might spread its infection via different ways. The payload file which executes the malicious script for this ransomware, that in turn infects your computer machine, is circling around the Internet. A sample of this ransomware has been found by the malware researcher Marcelo Rivero.
Viki ransomware could also spread its payload file on social media sites and file-sharing networks. Freeware applications which are found on the Web could be presented as helpful but at the same time could be hiding the malicious script for this cryptovirus. Don’t be opening files right when you have downloaded them, especially if they come from sources such as suspicious links or emails. Instead, you should scan them beforehand with a security tool, while also checking the sizes and signatures of those files for anything that seems unusual. You should read the ransomware preventing tips in our forum section.
Viki Virus – In-Depth Analysis
Viki is how this new cryptovirus is dubbed, although it is also known as CryptoViki. After your files get encrypted, they will all receive the .Viki extension. The Viki ransomware could make entries in the Windows Registry aiming to achieve a higher level of persistence. Those registry entries are typically designed in a way that will start the virus automatically with each launch of the Windows Operating System. An example of such an entry is the following:
The ransom note will appear after the encryption process is completed. The note provides instructions on how you could get your files restored. The note of Viki is stored in a file called “readme.txt”. You can preview the contents from the snapshot provided here below:
The ransom message inside that .txt file reads the following:
Aa¢é oaééfi éuée cédéédiééifi. xoiau oafioeooiaaofi éa, fiai iAiaoiaeii iaiefiaou iefifiii ia yéééoOiiiué aaoafi cryptovikiegmai1.com Aaéaa 50 iiéo+éoa afia iaiaoiaéifia éifiodoéoéé. liifioéé oaidéobiaaofi fiaiifioiyoaéfiii ia ibééaaoo ie é , ébiia éacaicaoaoiié iibédé eioibiaoéé. Afiéé so an, oioéoé iiiuoaofifiy, oi ideaaaOéoaéUii fiéééaéoé bacébéiua éiiéé oaééia, eia+a a fiéo+aa ea éciéiaiéy oafidéobiééa fioaiao iaéiciiaiié ié ibé éaéeo ofiéiééyo.
Your files have been encrypted. To decrypt them, You need to write a letter to the email address [email protected] Next, you will receive all necessary instructions. Attempts to decipher alone will not lead to anything other than irretrievable loss of information. If you still want to try, make a backup of the files, or in the case they change the decryption will be impossible under any circumstances.
As clearly seen from the ransom message above, the developer of the Viki virus wants you to contact them so you can pay an unspecific ransom sum. However, if you get your personal computer infected with the malware, you should NOT under any circumstances pay anything to the cybercriminals. Nobody can give you a guarantee that you will get your files decrypted upon payment, plus you might motivate them to do more criminal activities, once they get money for their wrongdoings.
Besides the note which is stored in the readme.txt file, there is also an image that is set as your Desktop wallpaper, seen below:
As you can see it is also written in Russian and English. The text is the following:
Внимание! Все ваши диски зашифрованы! Подробности в файле readme.txt Attention! All your disks are encrypted! The details are in the file readme.txt
Viki Virus – Encryption Process
Viki ransomware will search and encrypt files, which have the following extensions:
The above is not an official list of extensions that are encrypted, so more extensions could also be sought to get locked by the Viki ransomware. The algorithm which is used for the locking of your files is not known for the time being.
The Viki cryptovirus might be set to erase the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows Operating System by initiating the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
The command’s execution typically makes the encryption process more viable, since it eliminates one of the prominent ways for the restoration of your files.
Remove Viki Virus and Restore .Viki Files
If your computer got infected with the Viki ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Viki and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as Viki. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove Viki follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Viki files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by Viki on your PC
Find files created by Viki
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove Viki with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Viki and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Viki. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by Viki
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Viki
Ransomware infections and Viki aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Viki and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
