Ahegao Ransomware

Ahegao Ransomware is a money extortion tool that encrypts files on a victim’s device to take them as hostages. Afterwards, the malware displays a message asking to pay ransom in exchange for the affected files’ decryption. The hackers behind this threat want their victims to pay 50 US dollars. The sum might not seem huge, but if you do not want to risk losing it in vain, we advise not to deal with cybercriminals. If you do not trust them, you could concentrate on erasing Ahegao Ransomware from your computer. Our researchers say it would be safer to delete the malware because leaving it unattended could be dangerous. If you want to learn how to get rid of it, you could use the removal steps located at the end of this article or a reliable antimalware tool. We recommend reading the text too if you want to get to know this threat better.

As usual we wish to start with an explanation of how users could encounter the discussed ransomware because knowing it can help users avoid such threats. According to our researchers, Ahegao Ransomware could be spread through spam emails or data offered on malicious file-sharing websites. In other words, the malicious application could slip in with files downloaded from unreliable sources. Such files could be difficult to recognize as they might look like text documents, software installers, updates, game cracks, and so on. Consequently, we advise staying away from suspicious emails or websites and scan files obtained from the Internet with a reliable antimalware tool just to be safe. A scan should not take that much time and the invested moments will be worth it if your chosen tool prevents harmful files from encrypting your files, damaging your system, recording sensitive information, etc.

It is time to talk about the malicious application’s working manner. Our researchers say that Ahegao Ransomware does not create any Registry entries, copies of itself, scheduled tasks, or any other files after it is launched. Instead, the threat should immediately find targeted data and start encrypting it. Same as most ransomware applications, the malware is after pictures, various documents, and other files that are likely to be valuable to victims. As you see, the operating system and other programs installed on a device can be always reinstalled. Unlike photos or documents if a user does not back up such data. Ahegao Ransomware should encrypt personal data with a strong encryption algorithm called AES-256. Once files get encrypted, they should be marked with the .ahegao extension that ought to appear at the end of their names, for example, lilies.jpg.ahegao.

Furthermore, once Ahegao Ransomware is done with encrypting your files, it should open a pop-up window called Encrypted v2.40. It should contain a picture of an anime character, a timer, the “View Encrypted Files” and “Enter Decryption Key” buttons, and, of course, the ransom note. The note should say that users can get the needed decryption key and decrypt all their files. However, the note should stress that users need to pay ransom first. According to hackers, users who pay can contact them and receive the promised decryption tool that they can insert into the malware’s window before the time runs out. The problem is that you cannot be certain that you will get the promised key. Once Ahegao Ransomware’s creators get the money they can do whatever they like. Thus, we advise not to pay ransom if you do not want to risk getting scammed.

Users who choose to eliminate Ahegao Ransomware have a couple of options. The first one is erasing the malicious application manually. Even though you would need to delete only the malware’s launcher, the task could still be difficult. As said earlier, the threat’s launcher could look like a text document or a software installer and if you downloaded a lot of data recently, it could be difficult to identify the malicious file. If you suspect which file it might be, you could use the instructions available below to remove it manually. However, if you have no clue which file could be the malware’s installer, we advise employing a reliable antimalware tool that could identify and remove Ahegao Ransomware for you.

Restart your system in Safe Mode with Networking

Windows 8/Windows 10

1. Tap Win+I for Windows 8 or open the Start menu for Windows 10.
2. Click the Power button
3. Press and hold the Shift key and click Restart.
4. Choose Troubleshoot and pick Advanced Options.
5. Select Startup Settings and click Restart.
6. Press the F5 key and restart the PC.

Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7

1. Go to Start, pick Shutdown options and click Restart.
2. Press and hold the F8 key when the computer starts restarting.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from Advanced Boot Options window.
4. Click Enter and log on to the computer.

Remove Ahegao Ransomware

1. Press Win+E.
2. Check these directories:
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %TEMP%
3. Search for the malware’s installer (it could be some recently obtained file), right-click the threat’s launcher, and press Delete.
4. Close File Explorer.
5. Empty Recycle Bin.
6. Do a full system scan with reliable antimalware tool.
7. Click the provided deletion button to erase all identified threats.
8. Restart your computer.