What Is Vovalex Virus?
Vovalex virus is the name of a malware infection, whose main goal is to slither in your computer and encrypt your important files. The main idea of Vovalex virus is to extort you into paying ransom money to the cyber-criminals who have infected your files.
Once it has encrypted your files, the virus appends the .vovalex file extension to all encrypted files, making them appear like Image.jpg.vovalex. By encrypting your files, you are prevented from opening them, and you are pushed towards following the ransom instructions located in the README.VOVALEX.txt ransom note. Long story short, Vovalex virus is created to extort unsuspecting victims to pay a ransom to the cybercriminals behind it.
Read this article to learn more about the Vovalex virus, including ways to remove it.
Vovalex Virus Summary
| Name | Vovalex Virus |
| File Extension | .vovalex |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The VOVALEX ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .YAYA extension to them. |
| Ransom Demanding Note | README.VOVALEX.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your PC Has Been Affected by Vovalex Virus
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Vovalex Virus. |
Vovalex Virus – More Information
Vovalex virus is a malware from the ransomware type. Just like other viruses of its type, such as
the Wbxd Virus, .a Files Virus and Judge Ransomware , it uses similar methods to infect your computer.
NOTE! First discovered by MalwareHunterTeam, this ransomware is being distributed as a pirated copy of the popular CCleaner program. Once it is executed, Vovalex will launch a legitimate CCleaner installer. Be extra vigilant when downloading pirated software, as the Vovalex file virus may be hiding in the installers of such programs.
The virus file may be downloaded by you as an e-mail attachment that may pretend to be a document that is of utmost importance. Examples of this are revoked tickets, purchase invoices, and so on. The file that contains the infection could be a document of some sort that may have malicious Macro code and, when started could trigger this virus script.
Another method of infection is if the virus pretends to be a patch, portable program, installer of a program, or virtually anything downloaded from the net. Hackers use torrent sites or low reputation and compromised websites of all types to slither the virus.
Once your computer gets infected with the Vovalex virus, you may start seeing your files being appended with the .vovalex file extension. They may begin to look like this:
Vovalex virus aims to encrypt files on your computer that may be of the following types:
- Images.
- Videos.
- Archives.
- Audio files.
- Videos.
- Others.
The virus also drops its ransom note file. It is called README.VOVALEX.txt and has demands that ask victims to pay a solid amount of money to the criminals so that they can use their files again.
The files that are encrypted by the Vovalex virus are encoded using the AES encryption algorithm. This is an advanced cipher that is used to encrypt only a part of the file and not the whole file. Then the encryption generates a unique decryption key, called asymmetric. These keys are to be used by the criminals after you pay the ransom. The primary purpose of this is to make them the ones in power over your files.
Suppose the Vovalex virus has infected your computer system. In that case, we strongly recommend that you not pay any ransom to these crooks and instead focus on getting rid of the virus and trying to recover the files yourself. Keep reading this article to learn how to remove the Vovalex virus and see the guides to file recovery.
Remove Vovalex Virus and Try Restoring Files
If you want to make sure that Vovalex virus is gone, we strongly recommend following the removal steps we have created underneath this post. They are made in a specific way to help you delete the virus files of the Vovalex virus by isolating them. We do suggest that you download and run a scan of your computer with anti-malware software for best removal. Such a professional application aims to secure your computer from any form of malware.
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.
Follow Me:
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 Vovalex Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Vovalex Virus
Step 2: Uninstall Vovalex 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 Vovalex 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 Vovalex 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 Vovalex Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Vovalex Virus.
Ransomware infections and Vovalex 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 Vovalex Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Vovalex 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 Vovalex 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 Vovalex Virus.
Ransomware infections and Vovalex 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.
Vovalex Virus FAQ
What is Vovalex Virus ransomware and how does it work?
Vovalex 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 Vovalex Virus ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Vovalex 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 Vovalex 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 .Vovalex Virus files?
You can't. At this point the .Vovalex 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 .Vovalex Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Vovalex 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 ".Vovalex 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 .Vovalex 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 Vovalex 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 Vovalex Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Vovalex Virus files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Vovalex 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.
