Ako Ransomware

Ako Ransomware is one of those infections that use misleading files to trick unsuspecting Windows users into letting them in. It is possible that other methods of distribution could be used to spread this threat, but it has been determined that spam emails are definitely used by the attackers behind it. The one message that was analyzed by malware experts urged the recipient to open a ZIP file that, allegedly, contained some kind of an agreement form. Of course, cybercriminals can pretty much come up with any kind of message, and they could impersonate banks, online vendors, popular website administrators, postal services, airline companies, employers, and so on. The main task is just to make the recipient open a malicious file. It is enough to open it for the threat to slither in without notice. Obviously, if legitimate anti-malware software is installed and active, it should detect and delete the threat right away. However, if your system is not protected, you might realize that you need to remove Ako Ransomware after it encrypts all of your files.

Your operating system should remain fully functional after the attack of Ako Ransomware because this threat does not encrypt anything that is located in folders with names AppData, Application Data, boot, Google, Intel, Microsoft, PerfLogs, ProgramData, Program Files, Program Files (x86), Tor Browser, or Windows. It also does not encrypt files with .DLL, .EXE, .INI, .KEY, or .SYS extensions even if they are found outside of the restricted folders. Unfortunately, personal files are encrypted, and an extension made up of random characters is attached to their names. Besides corrupting files, it was found that Ako Ransomware deletes shadow copies, which you might have created using the Volume Shadow Copy Service. This is the main reason we do not recommend relying on internal backups. Instead, it is better to store copies of your most important files outside the computer. If you have copies, and they are safe, you should remove the infection immediately. Afterward, you will be able to replace the encrypted files. If backups do not exist, or if you simply forget about them, you might pay attention to the message delivered via “ako-readme.txt.”

The text file dropped by Ako Ransomware should be found in every folder that contains the encrypted files. Next to it, you might find a file named “do_not_remove_ako.{*}_id.key” too. The text file is meant to inform the victim and also provide them with an alleged solution. According to it, files were corrupted and backups were removed, and now you have no other option but to purchase a “unique private key.” According to the message, you would be able to restore files using this key, but even if that is true, we doubt that you would get it even if you followed the presented instructions. According to them, you need to install the Tor Browser and visit the attacker’s website to learn how to pay for the private key. When we analyzed the infection, it instructed to pay a ransom of 1.68 Bitcoin, which was around $15,000. Obviously, that is not the kind of sum an average Windows user will have, and so it is possible that Ako Ransomware is targeted at larger companies or organizations. In fact, that is likely to be the case, considering that the infection also has the ability to scan for systems with file-sharing enabled between them. In any case, whether you are an individual or a large company, paying the ransom is too risky and, therefore, not recommended.

You must locate the launcher of Ako Ransomware if you want to delete it manually. It could be in the Downloads folder on your operating system, but it also could be someplace completely different. Unfortunately, if you cannot find this file yourself, you will not be able to delete Ako Ransomware. There is no need for panic in such a situation because even those with more manual removal experience are advised to implement anti-malware software. We recommend this because it is crucial to secure the operating system to prevent new threats from slithering in. On top of that, it is always possible that other threats exist on your operating system, and if you want to have your system thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and secured, reliable anti-malware software is what you want to install without further delay. Only after you remove the threat, should you use backups to replace the encrypted files.

Ako Ransomware Removal

1. Delete all recently downloaded suspicious files.
2. Delete the ransom note file named ako-readme.txt.
3. Delete the file named do_not_remove_ako.{*}_id.key.
4. To complete the removal, Empty Recycle Bin.
5. Employ a trusted malware scanner to run a full system scan.