GoldenAxe Ransomware

GoldenAxe Ransomware generates a unique ID number from five random characters to all of its victims. The number is used to create an individual extension (e.g., .An5Nn) that this malicious application appends to the files it enciphers. Unfortunately, the encrypted data becomes useless as it can no longer be opened. Cybercriminals behind such threats only care about getting paid for the decryption tools they suggest. The worst thing is you cannot be sure they will hold on to their deal, as there is always a risk they could scam you. If you want your computer to be malware-free again, we invite you to use the deletion instructions added at the end of the article. Of course, if you find them too complicated, you should get a reliable antimalware tool and let it erase GoldenAxe Ransomware for you.

In the rest of the text, we wish to talk more about the malicious application’s working manner and its deletion, but first, we should explain how it could end up on the system. A lot of threats similar to GoldenAxe Ransomware infect the system after the victim launches its installer accidentally. It could happen while receiving suspicious email attachments or when opening data download from unreliable sources.

Obviously, what you could do to avoid malicious applications like GoldenAxe Ransomware is be more careful with email attachments and when downloading files from the Internet. We strongly recommend not to open attachments if they seem suspicious or you do not know who sent them. As for downloading various files, you should make sure they do not come from torrent web pages and other untrustworthy sites. One other thing that our researchers advise is to have a reliable antimalware tool. You could use it to scan received/downloaded files to check whether they are safe to open. Besides, the tool itself could warn you about potentially dangerous content.

Our specialists report that GoldenAxe Ransomware utilizes both AES and RSA encryption algorithms to encipher victims’ files. The malware can affect a lot of different files (e.g., .docx, .mp3, .png, .xls, .txt, .wmv, etc.), but it does not encrypt .exe files, so the user’s program data should be safe. During the encryption process, the threat could also kill the Task Manager so the user would not notice its process or try to interrupt it. Plus, it might try to erase all shadow copies with the following command: /C vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet. Naturally, if the malicious application succeeds, the victim will not be able to restore files from shadow copies. In such a case, the only option that might be left is to use backup copies stored on a cloud, removable media devices, etc. Your data might always be at risk because if not some infection, it could be ruined because of the device’s malfunction, so if you want to protect valuable or precious files, we strongly recommend doing regular backups.

The next thing GoldenAxe Ransomware should do after enciphering victim’s data is to create ransom notes to notify the user of what has happened and demand for payment. The research shows the threat ought to drop both a .txt and .jpg file with a ransom note. On top of that, our researchers say the infection plays a voice message saying the data was encrypted and that the user should read the mentioned notes for help. As usual, they say the hackers can decrypt a single file free of charge, but the user would have to pay to be able to restore all of his data. Plus, it should mention the price depends on how fast the victim contacts GoldenAxe Ransomware’s developers.

Our advice is not to make any rash decisions you could later regret. The hackers may assure you will get the decryption tools, but in truth, it is possible they could easily scam you. If you do not want to take any risks, we encourage you to delete GoldenAxe Ransomware. To remove it manually you could follow the steps placed below. As for users who find the task slightly too tricky, we would advise using a reliable antimalware tool that could eliminate the threat for them and ideally protect the system from such threats in the future.

Get rid of GoldenAxe Ransomware

1. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Choose Task Manager and select Processes.
3. Find a process belonging to the threat.
4. Mark it and click End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Click Win+E.
7. Find these paths:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
8. Locate the malicious application’s launcher.
9. Right-click it and select Delete.
10. Locate .txt and .jpg files with the malware’s ransom notes.
11. Right-click them and select Delete.
12. Exit File Explorer.
13. Empty your Recycle Bin.
14. Restart the computer.