RansomwareRemoval Guide

Remove FLAMINGO Virus (.FLAMINGO Files Ransomware)

FLAMINGO Virus Ransomware

The FLAMINGO stands for a ransomware-type infection. FLAMINGO was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are unable to use them. FLAMINGO adds the “.FLAMINGO” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by FLAMINGO, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.FLAMINGO“. As quickly as the encryption is completed, FLAMINGO places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by FLAMINGO text file asking for the ransom is absolutely the same as the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives. It actually mentions 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 absolutely true. The kind of cryptography mechanism used by FLAMINGO is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is definitely certain that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is completely unique. It is difficult to bring back the files without the key available.

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

Nonetheless, regardless of the asked for quantity, people should stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to completely ignore 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 absolutely 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 FLAMINGO ransomware and to recover the information data free of charge. Thus, the just best decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.

Virus Summary

NameFLAMINGO Ransomware
File Extension.FLAMINGO
TypeRansomware
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 FLAMINGO extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution MethodSpam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool   GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Bear in mind that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to FLAMINGO ransomware. Harmful programs of such kind are typically elaborated to encrypt important data 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 generate the distinct decryption key for files decryption.

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

Bear in mind that even if you create such backups, they should be placed into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. 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 definitely not a good storage location.

How did ransomware infect my system?

There are several ways used by online scams to distribute FLAMINGO ransom virus. Although it doubts how precisely FLAMINGO 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 unidentified senders;
  • sites rendering free hosting services;
  • pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Typically FLAMINGO virus may be presented as some genuine software application, for instance, in the pop-ups instructing users to carry out some essential software application updates. This is the typical technique used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing FLAMINGO infection manually, by methods of their direct participation in the installation process.

Furthermore, the criminals might refer to various e-mail spam tactics to inject malicious codes into Windows PC. 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 motivating users to open some receipts, documents, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may severely damage the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update notifies may result in FLAMINGO virus injection. As for the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may also consist of harmful codes resulting in FLAMINGO secret installation. Finally, injection of FLAMINGO may occur by means of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and install harmful utilities without the user’s authorization.

Is there any way to prevent the injection of FLAMINGO ransomware?

Despite the fact that there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your system from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we want to share with with you. To start with, be really mindful when you browse the web and particularly while downloading complimentary programs. 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 contain other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be malicious. Make certain that your current antivirus and your entire OS is always duly updated.

Obviously, downloading pirated software is illegal and may lead to vital damage to be produced your PC. Thus, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly advised to reconsider your existing security software and potentially change to another security solution that can render far better services of defending your computer.

Below please find the quotation from the FLAMINGO text file:

||||||||----[ All your data is encrypted by a strong encryter called FLAMINGO ]----||||||||
============= # Unique ID : -
============= # E-mail : FlamingoRans@tutamail.com

####################################
\" PLEASE BE CAREFUL \" :
if your data is important to you, And you want to make a payment, be sure
to send us a test file first(3 Mb),And make sure we have the ability to
open your files(Decrypt test files).So first send the test file to prove
that we can decrypt your files, Then make a payment (Buy BTC) and receive the
decryption tool (Send Decrypter).

####################################
If you do not receive a reply after sending us an email,
please send an email to the second email address.
second E-mail : FlamingoRans@protonmail.com
####################################

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

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove FLAMINGO 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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