Infected with Dharma Vanss Ransomware? Need to decrypt your files?

What is Dharma Vanss Ransomware

Dharma Vanss there is a new generation of the notorious Dharma ransomware virus. As well as all predecessors it encrypts user data. File formats, that are at risk zone may be different, for example, documents, tables, media files and so on. Unfortunately, after encryption, all infected files become unusable for users. Moreover, Dharma virus, like its counterparts, changes the filename structure by adding a suffix: .vanss. Initially, Vanss cryptovirus targets English-speaking users. However, according to the latest rumours, this ransomware has no country restrictions. After malware actions on the PC/Laptop and subsequent encryption, it generates a special note file _how_to_decrypt_you_files.txt that contains the redemption data and sometimes a victim id:

Dharma Vanss Ransomware

All your files have been encrypted!
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 Blacklist@cock.li
Write this ID in the title of your message 1E857D00
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:Blacklist@cock.li
You 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.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

These note indicates the amount of the ransom in Bitcoins and the email address on which you need to send cash. Cryptocurrencies were not chosen by chance since this is how attackers can escape punishment and prosecution by the law. Of course, we do not advise you to pay anything a fraudster, as it can be a wasting of a huge amount of money. We strongly recommend that you try to remove Dharma Vanss Ransomware and decrypt .vanss files.

Update: Use following service to identify the version and type of ransomware you were attacked by: ID Ransomware. If you want to decrypt your files, please follow our instruction below or, if you have any difficulties, please contact us: submit@securitystronghold.com. We really can help to decrypt your files.

How Dharma Vanss infected your PC

In most cases, crypto viruses, in particular Dharma Vanss, come through unsafe network settings. It is also worth noting that most users neglect antivirus software. This may come as an attachment to a spam mailing list or a false software update. Anyway, you need to remove Dharma Vanss. To do this, read our recommendations, which are listed below.

First of all, don’t panic. Follow these easy steps below.

1. Start your computer in Safe Mode with networking. To do that, restart your computer before your system starts hit F8 several times. This will stop system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with networking option from the options list using up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.
2. Log in to the system infected with the Dharma Vanss virus. Launch your Internet browser and download a reliable anti-malware program and start a full system scan. Once the scan is complete, review scan results and remove all entries detected.

Recommended Solution:

Norton – fully removes all instances of Dharma Vanss – files, folders, registry keys.

 

Download Norton

You may find more detailed information about antivirus products in our article – Top 5 Antivirus Software for Windows

Restore your files using shadow copies

stellar-data-recovery

  1. Download and run Stellar Data Recovery.
  2. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next.
  3. Select the drive and folder where your files are located and date that you want to restore them from and press Scan.
  4. Once the scanning process is done, click Recover to restore your files.
Download Stellar Data Recovery

Step 2: Remove following files and folders of Dharma Vanss:

Related connections or other entries:

No information

Related files:

No information

How to decrypt files infected by Dharma Vanss?

You can try to use manual methods to restore and decrypt your files.

Decrypt files manually

Restore the system using System Restore

system restore

Although latest versions of Dharma Vanss remove system restore files, this method may help you partially restore your files. Give it a try and use standard System Restore to revive your data.

  1. Initiate the search for ‘system restore
  2. Click on the result
  3. Choose the date before the infection appearance
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions

Roll the files back to the previous version

Previous versions can be copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup (if it is active) or copies of files and folders created by System Restore. You can use this feature to restore files and folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged. This feature is available in Windows 7 and later versions.

windows previous versions

  1. Right-click the file and choose Properties
  2. Open the Previous Version tab
  3. Select the latest version and click Copy
  4. Click Restore

Protect your computer from ransomware

hitmanpro alert with cryptoguard

Most modern antiviruses can protect your PC from ransomware and crypto-trojans, but thousands of people still get infected. There are several programs that use different approach t protect from ransomware and lockers. One of the best is HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard. You may already know HitmanPro as famous cloud-based anti-malware scanner. Check out ultimate active protection software from SurfRight.

Download HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard

Written by Tim Kas

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