This article will aid you to remove Yolo Ransomware. Follow the ransomware removal instructions provided at the end of the article.
Yolo Ransomware is one that encrypts your data with and demands money as a ransom to get it restored. The Yolo Ransomware will leave ransomware instructions as text file. Keep on reading the article and see how you could try to potentially recover some of your locked files and data.
Threat Summary
| Name | Yolo ransomware |
| 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 ransomware will encrypt your files and leave a ransom note with payment instructions. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Yolo ransomware. |
| 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. |
Yolo Ransomware – Distribution Techniques
The Yolo ransomware samples have been captured in a low-volume attack campaign which doesn’t give out which is the main method. It is possible that the virus samples are early test releases or interim development versions which means that they can be used as the primary payload.
A popular method is the coordination of email SPAM messages which are used to send out fake notifications from well known companies and services. The files are sent directly as attachments or linked in the body contents. All of the interactive elements that are embedded can potentially be used to cause a virus infection: pop-ups, banners, text links and etc.
The Yolo ransomware can also be spread via malicious sites that use the same strategy — they attempt to confuse the visitors into thinking that they have accessed the real company or product site. Similar sounding domain names are used along with security certificates that may be self-signed or stolen. These are the primary warning signs that a potentially malicious page is being accessed.
The criminal collective behind the infections can also use payload delivery in order to infect the target machines. This relies on the code insertion into different files. Two of the most popular categories include the following:
- Infected Documents — The code can be placed in macros in some of the most popular document types: spreadsheets, presentations, databases and text files. If they are opened by the victims a prompt will appear asking them to enable the built-in scripts. If this is done the virus installation will take place.
- Setup Files — The virus code can be embedded in installers for a variety of popular applications: creativity suites, system utilities and productivity programs. When they are run the virus code will be implanted on the victim systems.
Larger campaigns can be achieved by implanting the samples in browser plugins — they are referred to as browser hijackers. Commoon places where they can be found include the relevant browser repositories where they are uploaded with elaborate descriptions and with fake user reviews. The goal of the hackers is to manipulate the visitors into thinking that they are going to install something useful that will add a new feature or in some way enhance their browser.
Yolo Ransomware – Detailed Analysis
The Yolo ransomware is based on the Jigsaw malware family which shows that the hacker or criminal collective behind it may not be very experienced. The captured samples are early test releases and the full code analysis is not yet available however we assume that the well-known behavior pattern will be executed here as well. The sources of these viruses are usually traded on the underground hacker forums. The hackers may have taken the Jigsaw code and modified it by themselves or they may have ordered a custom version from the dark web marketplaces.
The collected samples appear to include a stealth installation module which will sleep the virus before it launches its malicious components. This is done in order to evade heuristic scan of anti-malware and anti-virus programs which assume that infections will occur instantly after deployment.
Not surprisingly one of the first modules that are run is the data harvesting one. It is used to scan the system for sensitive information that is used to generate an unique ID for each affected machine. It is calculated by an algorithm that takes many input parameters: installed hardware components, system values and user settings. It can also be programmed to reveal the identity of the victim users: their name, address, phone number, interests and any stored account data and login details. This information can be used to carry out various crimes: identity theft, financial abuse and etc.
The Yolo ransomware sets itself in a memory guarded region which is a popular trick for disabling debug environments and virtual machine hosts. There are other security software that can be bypassed: anti-virus, firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
Once the Yolo ransomware has obtained control of the affected machines it will hook up to existing processes: both system and third-party ones. This will allow it to spy on the users interaction in real-time. This is very dangerous if coupled with a Trojan module — a local client that can establish a connection with a hacker-controlled server. The criminals will have the ability to take over control of the infected computers, steal their files and also deploy other malware.
Yolo Ransomware – Encryption Process
The ransomware engine will be called when the prior components have finished running. It will use a built-in list of target file type extensions which is typical of the Jigsaw ransowmare family. An example one will target the following data:
- Archives
- Backups
- Databases
- Music
- Videos
- Images
The code analysis shows that the following file type extensions are affected in one fo the captured samples:
.jpg .jpeg .raw .tif .gif .png .bmp.3dm .max.accdb .db .dbf .mdb .pdb .sql.dwg .dxf.c .cpp .cs .h .php .asp .rb .java .jar .class .py .js.aaf .aep .aepx .plb .prel .prproj .aet .ppj .psd .indd .indl .indt .indb .inx .idml .pmd .xqx .xqx .ai .eps .ps .svg .swf .fla .as3 .as.txt .doc .dot .docx .docm .dotx .dotm .docb .rtf .wpd .wps .msg .pdf .xls .xlt .xlm .xlsx .xlsm .xltx .xltm .xlsb .xla .xlam .xll .xlw .ppt .pot .pps .pptx .pptm .potx .potm .ppam .ppsx .ppsm .sldx .sldm.wav .mp3 .aif .iff .m3u .m4u .mid .mpa .wma .ra .avi .mov .mp4 .3gp .mpeg .3g2 .asf .asx .flv .mpg .wmv .vob .m3u8 .mkv.dat .csv .efx .sdf .vcf .xml .ses.rar .zip .7zip
The .Yolo extension will be applied to all victim files. The associated ransomware note will be a standard one, crafted in a text or HTML file.
Remove Yolo Ransomware and Try to Restore Data
If your computer system got infected with the Yolo 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.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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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.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Yolo ransomware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Yolo ransomware from Mac OS X.
How to Remove Yolo ransomware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Yolo ransomware
Step 2: Uninstall Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Yolo ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware.
Ransomware infections and Yolo ransomware 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.
Yolo ransomware FAQ
What is Yolo ransomware ransomware and how does it work?
Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware 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 .Yolo ransomware files?
You can't. At this point the .Yolo ransomware 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 .Yolo ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Yolo ransomware 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 ".Yolo ransomware" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware 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 Yolo ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Yolo ransomware files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Yolo ransomware 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.
