RansomwareRemoval Guide

Remove A3C9N Virus (.A3C9N Files Ransomware) – Snatch Ransomware

A3C9N – General Info

The A3C9N mean a ransomware-type infection. The infection comes from the Snatch ransomware family. A3C9N was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. A3C9N adds the “.A3C9N” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by A3C9N, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.A3C9N“. As quickly as the encryption is finished, A3C9N places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by A3C9N text file requesting for the ransom is definitely the like the statements given by other ransomware representatives belonging to the Snatch family. It literally points out that the info is encrypted which the only way to bring back it is to use a an unique decryption key. Regretfully, this is definitely true. The type of cryptography mechanism used by A3C9N is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is absolutely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely unique. It is impossible to bring back the files without the key available.

Another trick of A3C9N is that the victims cannot access to the key. The key is kept on a particular server run by the frauds connected with A3C9N ransomware. To get the key and recover the important info people have to pay the ransom.

Nevertheless, irrespective of the requested amount, people should stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are unfair, so they tend to entirely ignore what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not give any positive outcome and people simply lose their money for absolutely nothing.

We strongly encourage that you do not contact these crooks and absolutely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack A3C9N ransomware and to recover the data data free of charge. Therefore, the only right decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

NameA3C9N Ransomware
File Extension.A3C9N
TypeRansomware
FamilySnatch
Short DescriptionThe ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
SymptomsFile encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special A3C9N extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution MethodSpam Emails, Email Attachments
Similar InfectionsJdokao, Cndqmi, Mcauwpjib
Removal Tool   GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Bear in mind that the internet is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to A3C9N ransomware. It is similar Jdokao and many other ransomware-type threats. Malicious programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt crucial information and to state the demand prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to create the special decryption key for information decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, manually recovering the information is merely not feasible. The only method to prevent the loss of your important information is to regularly create backups of your important information.

Keep in mind that even if you create such backups, they must be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. You may use the USB Memory Stick or external hard disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you save your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted along with other files, so it’s definitely not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my system?

There are a number of ways used by online frauds to distribute A3C9N ransom virus. Even though it is uncertain how exactly A3C9N injects your system, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

  • integration with third-party apps, especially freeware;
  • spam e-mails from unidentified senders;
  • sites rendering free hosting services;
  • pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Typically A3C9N virus might be presented as some genuine software, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to implement some crucial software updates. This is the common trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing A3C9N infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.

Additionally, the criminals may refer to different e-mail spam strategies to inject harmful codes into systems. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam e-mails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some photos, documents, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may severely harm the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade notifies may result in A3C9N ransom injection. As for the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may also consist of destructive codes leading to A3C9N secret installation. Finally, injection of A3C9N may happen by methods of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and set up destructive utilities without the user’s consent.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of A3C9N ransomware?

Despite the fact that there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your system from getting infected, there are some pieces of advice we want to show with you. Firstly, be extremely cautious when you browse the web and specifically while downloading free apps. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Bear in mind that some freeware installers may include other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be malicious. Make certain that your current antivirus software and your entire OS is always duly updated.

Naturally, downloading pirated software is illegal and may result in important damage to be made for your PC. Thus, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also highly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and potentially change to another security solution that can render far better services of protecting your PC.

Below please find the quotation from the A3C9N text file:

Hello!
All your files are encrypted, write to me if you want to return your files - I can do it very quickly!
Contact me by e-mail:
repairdb@seznam.cz or repairdb@mail.fr

 

The name of the letter must contain an encryption extension
Do not rename encrypted files, you may lose your files permanently.
You may be a victim of fraud. Free decryption as guarantee.
Send us up to 3 files for free decryption.
The total size of files must be less than 1 Mb! (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets etc.)
!!! Do not turn off or restart the NAS equipment. This will result in data loss !!!

Screenshot of files with “.A3C9N” extension added by the ransomware:
A3C9N Ransomware - encrypt files with .A3C9N extension

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove A3C9N ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Setup

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Install

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware  Start

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan Result

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Daniel Zimmermann

Daniel Zimmermann has been writing on security and malware subjects for many years and has been working in the security industry for over 10 years. Daniel was educated at the Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany and currently lives in New York.

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