How to remove Vash-Sorena Ransomware and decrypt .crypto or .zip files

What is Vash-Sorena Ransomware

Vash-Sorena is a ransomware virus that encrypts files and demands to pay a fee to decrypt it. Some rumors say that it is another version developed by Dharma(CrySiS) or Banks1 family. Likewise, Vash-Sorena encrypts files according to this pattern -.[].crypto or -.[].zip which has not been that popular around extortionists. Here is an example of compromised files reported by one of the victims – eula.1041.txt.Id-JGPXXOBN.[yourfile2020@protonmail.com].crypto or .Email=[russiawolf09@gmail.com]ID=[JGPXXOBN].zip. ID numbers with random hexadecimal characters are used presumably to highlight the relevance and identify victims. After successful encryption, the virus creates a text file called How_To_Decrypt_Files.txt.

In this note, users are said that none of the tools can decrypt Vash-Sorena since it uses military-grade algorithms (AES and RSA 256). However, one of the victims managed to decrypt them via Kaspersky RannohDecryptor only losing file names. But, as it turned out later, you can decrypt only small files (PDFs, documents, images, etc.). Not excluded that further updates of Vash-Sorena will rectify that flaw soon. For now, there is no need in contacting them via e-mail or Telegram channel to buy their software unless you need to decrypt bigger data and do not have any backup of it. Either way, you can find all instructions and tips upon decryption in the article below.

How Vash-Sorena Ransomware infected your computer

To infect your PC, extortionists develop special e-mail spam campaigns bundled with malicious attachments (MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, and JavaScript files). There is no single way used by Vash-Sorena to penetrate users. The number of methods can span on keyloggers, backdoors, trojans, unprotected RDP configuration, fake software cracking tools, and shady advertisements. Be careful and do not open anything unfamiliar, especially that is claimed to be urgent or vital. Remember that protection is on your own hands.

1. Download Vash-Sorena Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .crypto or .zip 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 Vash-Sorena Ransomware

Vash-Sorena Ransomware files:


How_To_Decrypt_Files.txt
{randomfilename}.exe


Vash-Sorena Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .crypto or .zip files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RannohDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called RannohDecryptor, that can decrypt .crypto or .zip files. Download it here:

Download RannohDecryptor

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 .crypto or .zip files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of 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 Vash-Sorena Ransomware and removed it 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 .crypto or .zip files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose 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 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 is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see 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 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 Vash-Sorena 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 storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Vash-Sorena 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 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 is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro