RansomwareRemoval Guide

Remove AW46 Virus (.AW46 Files Ransomware) – Matrix Ransomware

AW46 Virus Ransomware

The AW46 stands for a ransomware-type infection. The infection comes from the Matrix ransomware family. AW46 was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. AW46 adds the “.AW46” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by AW46, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.AW46“. As soon as the encryption is finished, AW46 places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by AW46 text file requesting for the ransom is absolutely the like the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives belonging to the Matrix clan. It actually discusses that the info is encrypted which the only way to bring back it is to use a a distinct decryption key. Sadly, this is absolutely true. The sort of cryptography mechanism used by AW46 is still not correctly examined. Still, it is definitely certain that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is totally distinct. It is difficult to restore the files without the key available.

Another technique of AW46 is that the victims cannot gain access to the key. The key is saved on a particular server run by the frauds connected with AW46 ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people need to pay the ransom.

Nevertheless, irrespective of the asked for quantity, people should keep away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to entirely disregard what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not provide any positive outcome and people just lose their money for nothing.

We highly encourage that you do not contact these crooks and definitely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack AW46 ransomware and to recover the data data totally free. Thus, the only best decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.

Virus Summary

NameAW46 Ransomware
File Extension.AW46
TypeRansomware
FamilyMatrix
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 AW46 extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution MethodSpam Emails, Email Attachments
Similar InfectionsMh24, Snt2, Re78p
Removal Tool   GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Keep in mind that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to AW46 ransomware. It is similar Mh24 and many other ransomware-type threats. Destructive programs of such kind are usually elaborated to encrypt essential data 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 similar algorithm to generate the distinct decryption key for data decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, manually recovering the information is just not feasible. The only way to prevent the loss of your essential files is to routinely create backups of your important information.

Keep in mind that even if you create such backups, they need to 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 store your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted in addition to other files, so it’s absolutely not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

There are several ways used by online scams to distribute AW46 virus. Despite the fact that it is uncertain how exactly AW46 injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

  • integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
  • spam emails from unknown senders;
  • sites rendering free hosting services;
  • pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Often AW46 ransomware might be presented as some legitimate software application, for instance, in the pop-ups instructing users to execute some crucial software updates. This is the typical trick used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing AW46 infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.

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

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade notifies may result in AW46 ransom injection. When it comes to the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may also contain harmful codes leading to AW46 secret installation. Lastly, injection of AW46 may happen by means of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and set up malicious utilities without the user’s permission.

Is there any way to avoid the injection of AW46 ransom virus?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of recommendations we wish to share with with you. First off, be very cautious when you browse the web and especially while downloading totally free apps. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Remember that some freeware installers may include other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be malicious. Ensure that your current antivirus and your entire operating system is always duly updated.

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

Below please find the quotation from the AW46 text file:

S**T HАPPENS!
WE HАVE TО INFОRM YОU THАT АLL YОUR FILES WERE ENCRYPTED!

 

PLEАSE BE SURE, YОUR FILES АRE NОT BRОKEN!
Yоur filеs wеrе еnсrуptеd with strоng сrуptо аlgоrithms.
* Plеаsе nоtе thаt thеrе is nо wау tо dесrуpt уоur filеs withоut uniquе dесrуptiоn kеу аnd spесiаl sоftwаrе. Yоur uniquе dесrуptiоn kеу is sесurеlу stоrеd оn оur sеrvеr.
* Tо dесrуpt уоur dаtа уоu nееd оur spесifiс аutоmаtiс dесrуptiоn tооl аnd уоur uniquе dесrуptiоn kеу.
* Аll уоur filеs wеrе rеnаmеd but аftеr dесrуptiоn prосеss filеnаmеs will bе rесоvеrеd tо оriginаl stаtе. Dаtа struсturе will nоt сhаngе.
* Plеаsе bе surе thаt аll thе аttеmpts tо rесоvеr уоur filеs bу уоursеlf оr using third pаrtу tооls саn rеsult in irrеvосаblе lоss оf уоur dаtа!

 

WHАT DО YОU NEED TО DО?
First оf аll уоu hаvе tо writе us bу е-mаil:
Оur first е-mаil:                alexwind46@yahoo.com
Оur sесоnd е-mаil:        alexwind46@protonmail.com
Оur third е-mаil:        alexwind46@aol.com

 

АTTENTIОN!
If уоu wаnt tо rесоvеr уоur dаtа plеаsе writе us tо аll оur е-mаil аdrеssеs!
It is rеаllу impоrtаnt bесаusе оf dеlivеrу prоblеms with sоmе mаil sеrviсеs!
Plеаsе bе surе wе аrе аlwауs in tоuсh аnd rеаdу tо hеlp уоu!
If уоu will nоt rесеivе оur аnswеr in 24 hоurs, plеаsе rеsеnd уоur mеssаgе!
Plеаsе аlwауs сhесk SPАM fоldеr!
* Writе оn English оr usе prоfеssiоnаl trаnslаtоr

 

In subjесt linе writе уоur pеrsоnаl ID: -

 

Fоr уоur аssurаnсе уоu саn аttасh up tо 3 smаll еnсrуptеd filеs tо уоur mеssаgе. Wе will dесrуpt аnd sеnd уоu dесrуptеd filеs fоr frее.
*   Plеаsе nоtе thаt filеs must nоt соntаin аnу vаluаblе infоrmаtiоn аnd thеir tоtаl sizе must bе lеss thаn 5Mb.

 

Plеаsе dоn\'t wоrrу!
Bе surе thаt уоur dаtа саn bе RESTОRED TОDАY!
Wе аrе in tоuсh 24/7 аnd rеаdу tо hеlp уоu!
If уоu nоt rесеivеd оur аnswеr plеаsе rеsеnd уоur mеssаgе tо аll е-mаil аdrеssеs!

Screenshot of files with “.AW46” extension added by the ransomware:
AW46 Ransomware - encrypt files with .AW46 extension

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove AW46 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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