Ann Ransomware Removal Guide

Do you know what Ann Ransomware is?

Ann Ransomware is a threat that encrypts and renames victim’s data before dropping a warning message. According to the malware’s note, the user can get all of his files back if he only contacts the creators behind the malicious application. Sadly, once the user does so, the cybercriminals will probably send instructions on how to pay a ransom. In exchange, they could promise to deliver you a decryptor, but keep it in mind there is a change they may not bother to do so. Meaning, you might end up being scammed. This is why we believe it would be best not to pay any attention to the ransom note and erase Ann Ransomware. It can be deleted manually with the removal guide added at the end of this article or with a reputable security tool of your choice. Besides, if you have any backup copies you could place instead of encrypted files, you could do so to restore some of your data as soon as the system is clean again.

If Ann Ransomware ruined your files you should try to remember what you did before it, so you could avoid encountering such infections in the future. Our computer security specialists believe the malware might be carried by malicious email attachments, pirated software or freeware installers, and soon. It could have been any suspicious file downloaded from the Internet. Next time we would recommend scanning doubtful data with a reliable antimalware tool first if you cannot avoid launching it. Additionally, users should try to stay away from untrustworthy web pages that might offer potentially dangerous content and ignore email messages claiming the provided file or link should be opened urgently unless the user is sure the source is reliable.

Provided, Ann Ransomware manages to settle in; it should start locating and encrypting various personal files. For instance, it could ruin your photographs, text or other documents, archives, and so on. As we mentioned earlier, each file should get a new name and extension, e.g., [AskHelp@protonmail.com].7ZjQUQwK-eBGEqnfZ.ANN. Once this process is over the malicious application should display a text document called #README_ANN#.rtf. It is the infection’s ransom note that we discussed earlier. It provides step by step instructions on how to contact the cybercriminals who developed the malware through different emails. It does not say anything about having to pay for the decryptor, but based on our experience with such threats we are almost one hundred percent sure the request to make a payment would be presented after the victim contacts them. The worst part is you would have to pay before receiving the needed decryptor, which means the hackers can easily take your money and do nothing.

Under such circumstances, we advise erasing Ann Ransomware and restoring data from backup copies if you can. To erase the malware manually, you should complete the steps shown in our removal guide. Less experienced users who may find the instructions a bit too difficult could install a reputable antimalware tool and perform a system scan. This way the malicious application and other possible threats would be detected by the tool and then users could get rid of them by pressing the deletion button.

Eliminate Ann Ransomware

  1. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete simultaneously.
  2. Pick Task Manager.
  3. Take a look at the Processes tab.
  4. Locate a process belonging to the malicious program.
  5. Mark this process and select the End Task button.
  6. Click Windows Key+E.
  7. Navigate to the suggested paths:
    %TEMP%
    %USERPROFILE%Desktop
    %USERPROFILE%Downloads
  8. Find a file that was launched when the system got infected, right-click the malicious file and select Delete.
  9. Look for files named #README_ANN#.rtf or similarly, right-click such documents and press Delete.
  10. Locate this path: %APPDATA%
  11. Search for .bmp, .vbs, and .bat files with random names, right-click them separately and choose Delete.
  12. Leave File Explorer.
  13. Empty Recycle bin.
  14. Restart the computer.

In non-techie terms:

Ann Ransomware is a malicious application designed to encipher user’s important files. The goal is to make the user feel helpless and convince him to contact the hackers behind the malware. No doubt, they should try to extort money from their victims by promising them to send decryptors. The bad news is even if you make the payment in time there are no guarantees the cybercriminals will do their end of the deal. Thus, if you do not like gambling with your savings we recommend not to put up with any demands. Encrypted files cannot be restored with a decryption tool, but if you have backup copies, you can replace ruined data easily. Of course, for safety reasons, it would be best to get rid of the malicious application first. Users who want to eliminate Ann Ransomware manually should follow the removal guide available abode this text.