Remove Arena Virus (Macgregor@aolonline.top) – Dharma Ransomware

Arena Virus – Details

The Arena mean a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the Dharma ransomware family. Arena was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. Arena adds the “.[Macgregor@aolonline.top].arena” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, when encrypted by Arena, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.[Macgregor@aolonline.top].arena“. As quickly as the encryption is completed, Arena places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

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

Another trick of Arena is that the victims cannot gain access to the key. The key is saved on a particular server run by the frauds associated with Arena ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.

Nonetheless, regardless of the asked for quantity, people need to stay away from paying the ransom virus. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to entirely disregard what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom typically does not provide any positive outcome and people just waste their money for absolutely nothing.

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

Virus Summary

Name	Arena Ransomware
File Extension	.[Macgregor@aolonline.top].arena
Type	Ransomware
Family	Dharma
Short Description	The 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.
Symptoms	File 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 [Macgregor@aolonline.top].arena extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Similar Infections	Wshlp, Nw24, Log
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Bear in mind that the internet is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to Arena ransomware. It is similar Wshlp and many other ransomware-type threats. Destructive programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt important information and to state the need prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to create the unique decryption key for files decryption.

Hence, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is merely not feasible. The only way to prevent the loss of your crucial data is to routinely create backups of your important information.

Bear in mind that even if you create such backups, they must be placed into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the Memory Stick or external hard 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 location.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

There are numerous ways used by online frauds to distribute Arena ransomware. Despite the fact that it is uncertain how exactly Arena injects your system, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate 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.

Often Arena virus might exist as some legitimate software, for instance, in the pop-ups advising users to implement some essential software updates. This is the typical technique used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing Arena infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.

Additionally, the criminals might refer to different e-mail spam tactics to inject destructive codes into Windows PC. So, they may refer to 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 motivating users to open some video, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may seriously harm the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update notifies may result in Arena virus injection. As for the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise include destructive codes causing Arena secret installation. Lastly, injection of Arena may occur by methods of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and set up destructive tools without the user’s consent.

Is there any method to avoid the injection of Arena ransomware?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your computer from getting infected, there are some pieces of recommendations we want to show with you. First of all, be really careful when you browse the web and particularly while downloading totally free programs. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Keep in mind that some freeware installers may consist of other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be malicious. Make certain that your current antivirus and your entire operating system is always duly updated.

Of course, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may lead to necessary damage to be made for your PC. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also highly advised to reconsider your existing security software and perhaps change to another security solution that can render much better services of protecting your system.

Below please find the quotation from the Arena text file:

Pop-up window:

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 Macgregor@aolonline.top
Write this ID in the title of your message -
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:Macgregor@aolonline.top
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 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (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.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://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.
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FILES ENCRYPTED.txt

all your data has been locked us
You want to return?
write email Macgregor@aolonline.top

Screenshot of files with “.[Macgregor@aolonline.top].arena” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Arena 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.