How to remove VanHelsing Ransomware and decrypt .vanhelsing files

What is VanHelsing Ransomware

VanHelsing Ransomware is a malicious software belonging to the ransomware category, notorious for encrypting victim’s files and demanding a ransom in the form of Bitcoin for their decryption. This type of ransomware strategically applies a distinct .vanhelsing extension to each encrypted file, effectively transforming a file originally named example.jpg into example.jpg.vanhelsing. Employing sophisticated cryptographic algorithms, VanHelsing ransomware ensures that decryption without the key held by the attackers is virtually impossible. Once the files’ encryption is complete, it changes the desktop wallpaper and creates a ransom note named README.txt, which is typically left in an accessible location for the user, such as the desktop. This note informs victims that their data has been compromised and instructs them on how to proceed with the ransom payment while threatening to leak stolen data if demands are not met.

Unfortunately, as of the current state of cybersecurity tools, there are no publicly available decryption tools capable of reversing the damage inflicted by VanHelsing ransomware without the attackers’ intervention. This makes the recovery of the affected files highly improbable without the acquisition of the decryption key from them, which they rarely provide after payment. As a result, it is highly discouraged to comply with ransom demands since this fosters illegal activities and doesn’t guarantee data recovery. The safest path for affected victims is data recovery from backups made prior to the attack, if available. Cybersecurity experts continuously research potential vulnerabilities within ransomware’s encryption methods that might someday lead to a feasible decryption solution without engaging with the attackers. For now, prevention remains the best strategy against such threats, including the regular backup of important data and the employment of robust security measures to reduce the risk of infection.

How VanHelsing Ransomware infects computers

VanHelsing Ransomware infiltrates computers primarily through deceptive tactics that exploit human error and system vulnerabilities. A common method involves phishing attacks, where cybercriminals craft convincing emails that appear to be from trusted sources, tricking recipients into opening malicious attachments or clicking on harmful links. These attachments might be disguised as legitimate documents but contain embedded macros that trigger the ransomware’s installation upon opening. Additionally, VanHelsing can spread through drive-by downloads, which occur when unsuspecting users visit compromised or malicious websites that automatically download and install the ransomware without any visible prompts. Peer-to-peer file-sharing networks and untrustworthy software download sites also serve as breeding grounds for this malware, bundling the ransomware with seemingly innocuous programs. Once inside the system, VanHelsing begins encrypting files and demands a ransom for their release, often coupled with threats of data exposure to amplify pressure on the victim.

1. Download VanHelsing Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .vanhelsing files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like VanHelsing Ransomware

VanHelsing Ransomware files:


README.txt
{randomname}.exe


VanHelsing Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .vanhelsing files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .vanhelsing files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .vanhelsing files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with VanHelsing Ransomware and removed from your computer, you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually, you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .vanhelsing files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select the type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose the location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose a particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there are no items in the list, choose an alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it, and you will see a screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose an alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the Dropbox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like VanHelsing Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. VanHelsing Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro