Do you know what Ahegao Ransomware is?
Ahegao Ransomware is one of those malicious applications that lock your files to make you pay a ransom to get them back. If you want to learn how to stay away from such threats or want to know what you could do if you receive this particular infection, we encourage you to read our full report. In it, we talk about how the malicious application could enter your system, what it does once it gets in, and how to delete Ahegao Ransomware if you do not want to leave it on your system. Also, if you read our article, you can learn why we do not advise putting up with the cybercriminals’ demands and what else you could do to restore your files if you have no wish to pay ransom. After reading our article, we recommend checking the removal guide available below it that shows how users could erase the threat manually.
Usually, victims of threats like Ahegao Ransomware get tricked into launching their installers. For example, you could receive an email or some other message saying that you need to open an attached file or link as soon as possible. Also, hackers could make malicious launchers look like application installers and upload them onto unreliable file-sharing web pages. Therefore, we advise not to open files received from unknown senders and download software only from legitimate websites if you do not want to infect your system without even realizing it. If for some reason you feel like you must open a file obtained under suspicious circumstances or from untrustworthy places, you should scan it with a reputable antimalware tool first. Remember that even harmless-looking files can appear to be dangerous, so you should never let your guard down if you want your system to be malware-free and protect valuable files.
After being launched Ahegao Ransomware should start encrypting photos, pictures, various documents, and other files that could be valuable to victims. Once encrypted, such files should receive a second extension called .ahegao, e.g., receipt.pdf.ahegao. The only way to restore such files is to decrypt them, which is why the malicious application ought to display a window with a ransom note shortly after it encrypts all targeted data. The note should say that hackers have the necessary decryption key and the malware’s window will work as a decryptor. Also, cybercriminals should demand Ahegao Ransomware’s victims to pay 0.0047 BTC, which should be around $50. The reason we do not advise paying the mentioned sum is that hackers could be lying to you. You cannot be sure that they will store our decryption key for as long as they promise or that they will bother to send it to you after you pay.
Ahegao Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
If you always back up your files and can replace all or most of the encrypted files with data from your cloud storage or removable media devices, you might not need to decrypt your files. In which case we advise not to take any chances and erase Ahegao Ransomware. To eliminate it manually, you should delete any recently downloaded files that could belong to the malicious application. If you need any help with this task, the removal guide available below can show you how to do this. Users who do not think that they can handle such a malicious application on their own could employ a reputable antimalware tool. If you choose this option, you should perform a full system scan and then eliminate Ahegao Ransomware by pressing the displayed removal button.
Delete Ahegao Ransomware
- Restart the computer in Safe Mode with Networking (scroll lower to see the instructions that could help you complete this step).
- Press Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to these paths:
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%TEMP% - Find data belonging to the malware (it could be any suspicious recently downloaded files), right-click the threat’s files, and select Delete.
- Close File Explorer.
- Scan your computer with a legitimate antimalware tool to check if you managed to erase the ransomware completely.
- Erase the antimalware tool’s identified issues.
- Restart your computer as usual.
In non-techie terms:
Ahegao Ransomware is a malicious application that encrypts files and gives victims 72 hours to purchase decryption keys. If you believe what the malware’s ransom note says, users who pay ransom should be able to restore all their files if they enter the purchased decryption key within 72 hours. If users do not put up with the hackers’ demands they threaten to delete decryption keys for good. Of course, as said earlier, you do not need a decryption key if you have a backup of your files and can easily replace encrypted data. In such a case, we recommend against dealing with hackers and erasing Ahegao Ransomware right away so you could safely transfer your backup data. Of course, we do not recommend paying ransom even if you have no backup files as dealing with hackers is risky. To delete the malware, you could use the removal guide placed above or a reputable antimalware tool of your choice.