Decrypt .vvv virus extension files (TeslaCrypt 4.0 ransomware)

Files with the .vvv extension are a byproduct of TeslaCrypt ransomware activity, where the virus encrypts one’s personal data and holds it for ransom.

It’s difficult to imagine a predicament worse than the aftermath of a crypto malware compromise. These cyber infections target a critical asset of organizations or end users – their data. They don’t steal it, though. Instead, valuable files stay on computers but the inner data structure becomes badly scrambled. To reach this goal, ransomware applications utilize cryptography. The contagion called TeslaCrypt uses a slurry of RSA-4096 and AES-256 algorithms to lock a victim’s information and create a high-entropy decryption key that’s kept on a remote C2 server. While encrypting data, this sample also concatenates the .vvv extension to every entry, which is an identifier of a specific malware iteration. Editing the filenames by obliterating this string will in no way make the encrypted objects accessible.

In order to explain to victims how they can get their ransomed data back, this ransomware creates what’s called ransom notes, which are effectively step-by-step recovery instructions. Different iterations of TeslaCrypt have used different names for these files. The .vvv one drops the following notes into all folders with no-longer-accessible data: Howto_Restore.FILES.txt, Howto_Restore.FILES.htm, and Howto_Restore.FILES.png. Regardless of the format, the information inside is identical. The warning message goes, “All of your files were protected by a strong encryption with RSA-4096.” This sure sounds ironic, because the fraudsters use the word “protection” to denote blatant, unsolicited encoding. The bad guys’ plan is to make the victim visit their personal page by clicking one of several links in the notes.

The rogue Decryption Service page then insists that the user send 1 or 2 Bitcoins in order to purchase the private key. An option of decrypting 1 file for free via this site has a 500KB size restriction. Obviously, it is intended to prove that the recovery does work as long as the ransom is sent in. The extortionists rely on The Onion Router (Tor) technology to ensure that the traffic between them and the infected users cannot be tracked down. The use of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency is an important anonymization factor, too.

The .vvv files virus is usually executed on a computer after the user opens a phishing email attachment disguised as an invoice or suchlike official document. It’s either a .doc file or .zip archive. One way or another, people unknowingly activate the ransomware process themselves. Fortunately, the involvement of exploit kits in the distribution routine for this sample is quite a rare occurrence. Therefore, to avoid this infection it’s imperative to abstain from opening fishy email attachments and use an up-to-date version of reliable antimalware. Another important tip is to keep critical data backed up.

.vvv files ransomware automated removal and data recovery

Owing to an up-to-date database of malware signatures and intelligent behavioral detection, the recommended software can quickly locate the infection, eradicate it and remediate all harmful changes. So go ahead and do the following:

1. Download and install the antimalware tool. Open the solution and have it check your PC for PUPs and other types of malicious software by clicking the Start Computer Scan button

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2. Rest assured the scan report will list all items that may harm your operating system. Select the detected entries and click Fix Threats to get the troubleshooting completed.

Data recovery toolkit to the rescue

Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

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2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid .vvv files ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

Download .vvv files ransomware removal tool