AIM ransomware Removal

About AIM ransomware

AIM ransomware will effect your device in a very negative way because it will lock your files. Due to how ransomware behaves, it’s highly dangerous to catch the infection. Once the ransomware is inside, it will locate certain files and lock them. Files that people value the most, such as photos and documents, will become targets. Once files are encrypted, you will not be able to open them unless they’re decrypted with specific decryption software, which is in the possession of hackers behind this ransomware. If the ransomware is decryptable, malicious software specialists may be able to release a free decryptor. If backup is not available and you have no other option, you might as well wait for that free decryption program.

On your desktop or in folders containing encrypted files, you will find a ransom note. There is no doubt cyber criminals behind this malware are trying to make as much money as possible, so you’ll be requested to pay for a decryption program if you want to be able to open your files ever again. You won’t be surprised to know that paying crooks isn’t encouraged. It isn’t that hard to imagine criminals simply taking your money and not providing anything in return. What’s stopping them from doing just that. Therefore, think about buying backup with that money instead. If backup is available, simply terminate AIM ransomware and proceed to file recovery.

Download Removal Toolto remove AIM ransomware

Fake updates and spam emails were possibly used to spread the ransomware. Such methods are quite often used by hackers as superior ability isn’t crucial for them.

How is ransomware spread

You can acquire ransomware in a variety of ways, but as we’ve said above, you probably got the infection via false updates and spam emails. Because malicious spam campaigns are pretty frequent, you have to familiarize yourself with what malicious spam look like. Always check the email in detail before opening the attached file. Senders of malicious spam often pretend to be from familiar companies so that people lower their guard and open emails without thinking. Amazon could be shown as the sender, for example, and that the reason they’re emailing you is because your account displayed strange behavior or that a purchase was made. You can ensure the sender is who they say they are without difficulty. Simply find a list of email addresses used by the company and see if your sender’s is among them. If you have any doubts, you also need to scan the attached file with a malware scanner, just to be sure.

If you do not remember opening spam emails, bogus program updates might have been used to infect. Dubious sites are the most likely place where you may have encountered the bogus update notifications. Those fake update offers are also often promoted via advertisements and banners. For those that know how alerts about updates are pushed, however, this will immediately look dubious. If you wish to have an infection-free computer, you ought to stop downloading anything from questionable sources. Bear in mind that if software needs to be updated, the program will either automatically update or you’ll be alerted through the program, and certainly not through your browser.

What does ransomware do

Your files are no longer openable, as you have likely noticed by now. Soon after the contaminated file was opened, the ransomware started locking your files, possibly unknown to you. You’ll be able to quickly tell which files have been locked because they’ll now have an unusual file extension. Trying to open those files will not get you anywhere because they’ve been locked with a strong encryption algorithm. You ought to then find a note with an explanation about what happened to your files, and what needs to be done in order to restore them. The ransom notes generally tend to threaten users with eliminated files and strongly encourage victims to buy the offered decryptor. Despite the fact that crooks may have the decryption tool, there won’t be many people suggesting paying the ransom. What guarantee is there that files will be recovered after you pay. Hackers may also recall that you paid and target you again, believing you will pay again.

Instead of giving into the requests, check various storage devices and online accounts to see whether you have uploaded files somewhere but have just forgotten. Some time in the future, malicious software researchers may make a decryption tool so keep your encrypted files stored somewhere. You will have to to uninstall AIM ransomware whichever choice you pick.

Whether you restore your files or not, from this moment on, you must start routinely backing up your files. If you don’t make backups, this situation might happen again. Quite a few backup options are available, and they are well worth the purchase if you want to keep your files secure.

Ways to terminate AIM ransomware

Trying manual removal could end in a more damaged computer so we do not recommend attempting it. Instead, obtain anti-malware program to take care of the threat. The malware could prevent you from successfully working the malware removal program, in which case you need to restart your computer in Safe Mode. Once your device is in in Safe Mode, open the anti-malware program, scan your computer and delete AIM ransomware. Ransomware elimination will not unlock files, however.

Download Removal Toolto remove AIM ransomware

Learn how to remove AIM ransomware from your computer

• Step 1. Remove AIM ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.
• Step 2. Remove AIM ransomware using System Restore
• Step 3. Recover your data

Step 1. Remove AIM ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.
• b) Step 2. Remove AIM ransomware.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

b) Step 2. Remove AIM ransomware.

You will now need to open your browser and download some kind of anti-malware software. Choose a trustworthy one, install it and have it scan your computer for malicious threats. When the ransomware is found, remove it. If, for some reason, you can't access Safe Mode with Networking, go with another option.

Step 2. Remove AIM ransomware using System Restore

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
• b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

1. You will need to type in cd restore in the window that appears. Press Enter.
2. Type in rstrui.exe and again, press Enter.
3. A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again.
4. Press Yes.

While this should have taken care of the ransomware, you might want to download anti-malware just to be sure no other threats are lurking.  

Step 3. Recover your data

• a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.
• b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions
• c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

While backup is essential, there is still quite a few users who do not have it. If you are one of them, you can try the below provided methods and you just might be able to recover files.

a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.

1. Download Data Recovery Pro, preferably from a trustworthy website.
2. Scan your device for recoverable files.
3. Recover them.

b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions

If you had System Restore enabled, you can recover files through Windows Previous Versions.

1. Find a file you want to recover.
2. Right-click on it.
3. Select Properties and then Previous versions.
4. Pick the version of the file you want to recover and press Restore.

c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

If you are lucky, the ransomware did not delete your shadow copies. They are made by your system automatically for when system crashes.

1. Go to the official website (shadowexplorer.com) and acquire the Shadow Explorer application.
2. Set up and open it.
3. Press on the drop down menu and pick the disk you want.
4. If folders are recoverable, they will appear there. Press on the folder and then Export.

* SpyHunter scanner, published on this site, is intended to be used only as a detection tool. More info on SpyHunter. To use the removal functionality, you will need to purchase the full version of SpyHunter. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, click here.