A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware Removal Guide

Do you know what A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware is?

One careless step might be separating your PC from the malicious A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware. This dangerous threat is likely to hide in spam email attachments, and it is your fault for opening it and letting in malware. You might also be responsible for the infiltration of this threat if you download a corrupted software bundle or open any other security backdoor. Once executed, this infection does not waste time to encrypt your personal files. Just like Meldonii@india.com Ransomware, Grand_car@aol.com Ransomware, and all other threats from the family, this infection is capable of encrypting all kinds of files, including EXE files. Unfortunately, this means that the threat can corrupt downloaded applications along with the files that are usually targeted by ransomware, such as documents and personal photos. Luckily, it does not touch system files, and so your operating system should be intact. Overall, deleting A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware is crucial, and you can read this report to learn how to do that.

When the devious A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware encrypts your files, you will notice a unique extension added to them (“.{a_princ@aol.com}.xtbl”). Although you will not notice anything unique about it, our researchers have found it to be strange. The threats that come from the same family use very similar extensions, and all of them include the unique email address – just like in our case – as well as an ID. As you can see, a unique ID number is not provided, which raises questions about the identification process. How can cyber criminals provide you with the appropriate decryption key if they cannot identify you? Of course, it is possible that the same key fits all cases or that the developer of A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware can identify you using some other method, but it is also possible that all of this is just a scam to get your money. Unfortunately, even ransomware infections that are capable of providing users with decryption keys do not always give them out, which makes this particular ransomware even more unpredictable.A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware Removal GuideA_Princ@aol.com Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions

It appears that A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware is targeted at users who live in the region where Russian is the leading spoken language because it represents a message in Russian. This message is represented via the wallpaper on the Desktop, which, of course, replaces your regular wallpaper without your permission. Additionally, the ransomware also creates the "DECPYPT FILES.txt" file on the Desktop. This message reads: "DECRYPT FILES EMAIL a_princ@aol.com”. Obviously, this message goes straight to the point. You are given 48 hours to write to cyber criminals, and it is most likely that they will respond asking you to send one of the encrypted files and demanding a ransom payment from you. Do you have enough money to cover the ransom? Even if you do, you need to think if you should pay it. As mentioned previously, ransomware creators are known for taking the money but not providing the victims with decryption keys. If you do not want to lose your files and your money, you might choose to refuse the ransom payment.

You have to make the decision about whether or not you want to take the risk and pay the ransom, but we believe that this is too risky. There is no identifier, which suggests that the decryption might be impossible, and, on top of that, cyber criminals might scam you by taking your money for nothing in return. If you have backups of your personal files, you do not need to worry any further. When it comes to applications corrupted by the ransomware, you can replace their files after reinstalling a web browser. To remove A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware successfully, we strongly recommend implementing anti-malware software that will also enable protection you need. If you want to delete this threat yourself, keep in mind that its main .exe file has a random name, and it might be located in an unknown location.

Delete A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware

  1. Right-click and Delete the malicious .exe file (e.g., the corrupted spam email attachment).
  2. The malicious .exe file might also be located in these directories. Tap Win+E keys to launch Explorer, and enter the directory into the address bar to access it.
    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
    • %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
    • %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
    • %USERPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
    • %WINDIR%\System32\
    • %WINDIR%\Syswow64\
  3. Simultaneously tap Win+R to launch the RUN dialog box.
  4. Enter regedit.exe to access the Registry Editor utility.
  5. Go to HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop and double-click the value named Wallpaper.
  6. Erase C:\Users\user\DECRYPT.jpg from the value data box and click OK.
  7. Go to HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers and double-click the value named BackgroundHistoryPath0.
  8. Erase C:\Users\user\DECRYPT.jpg from the value data box and click OK.
  9. Go to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
  10. Delete the value with a random name that is linked to the malicious .exe file.
  11. Install a malware scanner to inspect your PC for leftovers.

In non-techie terms:

Removing A_Princ@aol.com Ransomware might be a difficult decision if that means saying goodbye to your personal files as well. Unfortunately, only the creators of this ransomware have the power to decrypt your files, and it is unknown if they would provide you with a decryption key. In fact, we cannot guarantee that they have the decryption key at all. Obviously, if you have your personal photos and documents backed up, you should not postpone the removal of the ransomware for any longer. The elimination of this threat can be very easy if you choose to use an automated remover, or it can be quite complicated if you choose to proceed manually. Hopefully, you will get rid of this threat and protect your PC successfully.