The malware category known to most users as Ransomware is currently among the most widespread forms of computer malware that you can encounter online. The typical methods such infections get distributed include, but are not limited to, malicious spam messages, misleading clickbait boxes, buttons, and banners, pirated software installers that carry the virus, fake software updates, deceitful social media message links, and more. In order to stay safe from Ransomware, you will need to apply all security habits and precautions that you could think of, including keeping your Firewall on at all times, updating your software and OS every time a new patch comes up, and keeping reliable antivirus and anti-malware security tools in your system, which have specialized detection features for Ransomware. However, even the most important precaution of all is your vigilance and carefulness while you spend time on the Internet. Otherwise, a file-encrypting virus like Versato might finds its way into your computer, and lock up all of your personal files that you keep inside your system. If any of those files are important to you, and you don’t have them backed up, you may be in a lot of trouble.
Victims of the .Versato virus
Like other cryptoviruses, the target of Versato is the files in the attacked computer. The virus locks them um with its encryption and offers the computer user a “deal”. If the user pays a certain amount of money to the hackers, they would send back a decryption key for the affected files.
If you are among the many new victims of Versato, then you should carefully assess your situation, as the best course of action for you now would largely depend on the specific circumstances of the infection. Here are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before you proceed:
- Can I afford to lose the files that Versato has encrypted?
- Are there or could there be any backups of the locked files on other devices, or in cloud storages online?
- Can I afford the risk of paying the ransom, and are the locked files worth spending such a big amount of money to get them unlocked?
- Can I accept the possibility of not getting the decryption key even after I pay the ransom?
Based on your answers to the above-listed questions, you will need to choose between two options – paying the ransom and trying some of the alternatives. It is important to mention that neither option can guarantee the recovery of your files. However, if you go for the ransom, you will also lose a significant amount of money, and you may still not get your data restored.
The .Versato file ransom alternatives
In most cases, the advisable thing to do is to go for the alternative option – with it, you will get to keep your money, and you will also get to remove the virus from your PC. What you need to do is use the guide below – it will show you how to clean your computer and eliminate the insidious virus, as this will make your system safe for future use and you won’t get any new data encrypted. After you get rid of the infection, go to the second part of the guide, where you will be presented with several alternative file-recovery solutions, that may allow you to bring some of your files back.
Versato SUMMARY:
| Name | Versato |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Danger Level | High (Versato Ransomware encrypts all types of files) |
| Symptoms | Versato Ransomware is hard to detect and aside from increased use of RAM and CPU, there would barely be any other visible red flags. |
| Distribution Method | Most of the time, Trojans get distributed through spam e-mails and social network messages, malicious ads, shady and pirated downloads, questionable torrents and other similar methods. |
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Remove Versato Ransomware
1: Preparations
Note: Before you go any further, we advise you to bookmark this page or have it open on a separate device such as your smartphone or another PC. Some of the steps might require you to exit your browser on this PC.
2: Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to enter the Task Manager. Go to the Tab labeled Processes (Details for Win 8/10). Carefully look through the list of processes that are currently active on you PC.
If any of them seems shady, consumes too much RAM/CPU or has some strange description or no description at all, right-click on it, select Open File Location and delete everything there.
Also, even if you do not delete the files, be sure to stop the process by right-clicking on it and selecting End Process.
3: IP related to Versato
Go to c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts. Open the hosts file with notepad.
Find where it says Localhost and take a look below that.
If you see any IP addresses there (below Localhost) send them to us here, in the comments since they might be coming from the Versato.
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4: Disable Startup programs
Re-open the Start Menu and type msconfig.
Click on the first search result. In the next window, go to the Startup tab. If you are on Win 10, it will send you to the Startup part of the task manager instead, as in the picture:
If you see any sketchy/shady looking entries in the list with an unknown manufacturer or a manufacturer name that looks suspicious as there could be a link between them and Versato , disable those programs and select OK.
5: Registry Editor
Press Windows key + R and in the resulting window type regedit.
Now, press Ctrl + F and type the name of the virus.
Delete everything that gets found. If you are not sure about whether to delete something, do not hesitate to ask us in the comments. Keep in mind that if you delete the wrong thing, you might cause all sorts of issues to your PC.
6: Deleting potentially malicious data – Versato
Type each of the following locations in the Windows search box and hit enter to open the locations:
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
%Temp%
Delete everything you see in Temp linked to Versato Ransomware. About the other folders, sort their contents by date and delete only the most recent entries. As always, if you are not sure about something, write to us in the comment section.
7: Versato Decryption
The previous steps were all aimed at removing the Versato Ransomware from your PC. However, in order to regain access to your files, you will also need to decrypt them or restore them. For that, we have a separate article with detailed instructions on what you have to do in order to unlock your data. Here is a link to that guide.
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