Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by .volcano Files Virus and other threats.
Threats such as .volcano Files Virus 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
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article has been created in order to explain what is the .volcano files virus and how to remove this ransomware from your computer plus how to restore encrypted files.
A new ransomware infection has been reported by malware researchers to infect unsuspecting users’ computers after which set the .volcano file extension to the encrypted files. The ransomware also drops a key.txt ransom note file which has instructions on how to pay in BitCoins for decryption. The .volcano files virus does not stop there, however – it also gives 48 hours of deadline in order to pay the ransom. If you computer has been infected by the .volcano files virus, recommendations are to read this article and learn how to remove it and restore your files.
Threat Summary
Name
.volcano Files Virus
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
Aims to encrypt the files on your PC and ask you to contact[email protected]and pay ransom in BitCoins in order to get them back.
Symptoms
Files are encrypted with an added .volcano file extension and a ransom note, named key.txt is also added to the encrypted files.
Distribution Method
Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by .volcano Files Virus
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.
.volcano Files Virus – Update June 2018
A decryption tool for this ransomware has been released. The malware researcher Michael Gillespie has discovered that .volcano Files Virus is a variant of EverBe ransomware and has updated the decryptor. You can download the decrypter from the following link, wrapped inside a .zip archive: Decryption Tool. You need an encrypted file along with its original and the files can be decrypted even if their size is under 10 MB.
.volcano Files Virus – Spread
In order to be replicated in the wild, this virus may be sent via massive spammed e-mail campaigns which aim to perform multiple different activities to trick victims into opening it as an attachment or clicking it as a web link. The e-mails often make it so as if they originate from big companies, from the likes of:
PayPal.
Amazon.
eBay.
LinkedIn.
In addition to this, the .volcano files virus may also be spread via other methods as well, such as being uploaded on websites and appear as if it is a legitimate:
Setup of a program.
Software license activator.
Crack.
Patch for software or games.
Key generator.
.volcano Files Virus – More Information
The .volcano files ransomware is the type of infection, whose primary purpose is to encrypt the files on your computer. As soon as it has infected a victim PC, the malware may connect to a remote host and download it’s payload. The payload may be dropped in the following Windows system folders:
%AppData%
%Local%
%LocalLow%
%Roaming%
%Temp%
Among the files dropped on the victim’s PC, the .volcano files virus also drops it’s ransom note file, named key.txt. The ransom note aims to make sure the victim knows of it’s presence on the computer. It has the following message:
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail: [email protected] have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.In case of no answer in 48 hours write us to theese e-mails: [email protected]
As soon as the ransom note file of this infection is dropped, the .volcano files virus may set a registry entry with values to run the ransom note along with the malicious file of the virus each time you start your PC or log in. This happens by adding the entry in the Run or RunOnce Windows registry sub-keys. They have the following location:
In addition to this, the .volcano files virus will also make sure that the backups and shadow volume copies on the victim’s computer are deleted so that the files are significantly more difficult to be deleted this way. This procedure happens by running the following commands without you even noticing it in Windows Command Prompt:
As soon as this ransomware virus has begun it’s encryption procedure, the malware starts by scanning the infected computer for specific file types to encrypt. These are usually file extensions associated with documents, videos, images and other file types. The virus may also be very careful when it comes to system files and it aims to avoid any programs that may damage your Windows. The files for which the .volcano ransomware may scan for and encrypt may be of the following file types:
After the .volcano files virus has finished it’s encryption process, the ransomware may add the .volcano file extension and the files can no longer be opened, because data from them is replaced with key data from the virus’s encryption algorithm. A unique decryption key can be used to decrypt those files, but the cyber-criminals are the only ones holding it. The files assume the following appearance after encryption:
We at SensorsTechForum will continue to track the .volcano infection and update this article as soon as security analysts have a breakthrough with it and a free decryption is available. In the meantime, we advise you to remove this virus and use the alternative methods we have listed below in order to attempt and restore your files.
Remove .volcano Files Virus and Try Restoring Your Files
To remove this ransomware virus completely from your computer system, recommendations are to follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They are created In order to help you to delete all of the malicious files either manually or automatically, based on your malware removal experience. If you lack such experience or want to be fully sure that you have effectively removed the .volcano files virus, experts advise downloading and scanning your PC with an advanced anti-malware program. Such software will make sure that all of the related files and objects to the .volcano ransomware are removed from your computer and your system remains protected against future infections as well.
If you are looking for ways to restore files, encrypted by the .volcano files virus, recommendations are to try the alternative methods for file recovery in step “2. Restore files, encrypted by .volcano Files Virus” below. They are created in order to help you restore as many files as possible without directly tampering with them, but bear in mind that they may not be 100% effective. Furthermore, we also advise you to perform a backup on all your files, since this ransomware infection may become decryptable in the future as well.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by .volcano Files Virus 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 .volcano Files Virus. 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 .volcano Files Virus follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .volcano Files Virus 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 .volcano Files Virus on your PC
Find files created by .volcano Files Virus
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.
IMPORTANT! Before starting the Automatic Removal below, 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.
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 .volcano Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .volcano Files Virus and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove .volcano Files Virus. 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 .volcano Files Virus
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .volcano Files Virus
Ransomware infections and .volcano Files Virus 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:
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article has been created in order to explain what is the .volcano files virus and how to remove this ransomware from your computer plus how to restore encrypted files.
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 .volcano Files Virus and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
