The V3nom virus belongs with the ransomware type of malicious agent. A harmful program of such sort encrypts all the data on your computer (images, text files, excel tables, music, videos, etc) and adds its specific extension to every file, creating the VenomD3crypt0r.exe text files in every folder with the encrypted files.
What is V3nom?
☝️ A strictly accurate description for the V3nom is “a ransomware malicious agent”.
V3nom adds its extra .V3NOM extension to every file’s title. For example, a file entitled “photo.jpg” will be changed to “photo.jpg.V3NOM”. In the same manner, the Excel sheet named “table.xlsx” will be changed to “table.xlsx.V3NOM”, and so on.
In every directory that contains the encrypted files, a VenomD3crypt0r.exe file will be created. It is a ransom money note. Therein you can find information on the ways of paying the ransom and some other remarks. The ransom note most probably contains a description of how to buy the decryption tool from the racketeers. That is it.
V3nom abstract:
| Name | V3nom Virus |
| Extension | .V3NOM |
| Ransomware note | VenomD3crypt0r.exe |
| Ransom | $100 in Bitcoins |
| Detection | Virus.VirLock.1, Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.PAH!MTB, Ransom:Win32/Shade!MSR |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .V3NOM extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by V3nom virus |
The VenomD3crypt0r.exe document coming in package with the V3nom ransomware states the following:
Oops, your computer has been compromised! What has happened to my PC? All of your important files have been encrypted. If you try to restart\\shutdown your PC, it will brick your computer. Can I fix my PC? Of course! All of your files can be safely decrypted, and your drive not be bricked. To fix your computer, you must send 100$ worth of bitcoin to the address below. If you don\'t pay us, your computer will be broken and all of your files will be unaccessible. You have 2 hours to send the bitcoin before your computer is unreversible. How do I get bitcoin? Payment is only bitcoin. To get bitcoin, download the \'BitPay\' app and setup an account. Once you have done this, buy 95-100$ worth of bitcoin and send it to the address below, when you have done this, click \'check payment\' and all of your files will be decrypted. Do not remove this software, it is your only chance at fixing your computer. If your antivirus removes this software, check the windows defender quarantine and put the file back onto your desktop. 3DJVeJFYj9aENc3EkD6gA2vewz7mJgUPX9 [Copy] [Check Payment] [Decrypt Files] V3NOM
In the image below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the V3nom looks like. Each filename has the “.V3NOM” extension added to it.
That is how encrypted “.V3NOM” files look.
How did V3nom ransomware end up on my PC?
There are many possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
Nowadays, there are three most exploited methods for malefactors to have the V3nom virus working in your system. These are email spam, Trojan infiltration and peer networks.
If you open your inbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is unknown to you, beware of opening those emails. They are most likely to have a harmful file enclosed in them. Therefore, it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with letters like these.
Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan file scheme1. A Trojan is a program that infiltrates into your computer disguised as something different. For instance, you download an installer of some program you need or an update for some program. But what is unboxed turns out to be a harmful agent that encrypts your data. As the installation wizard can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the resource of the things you’re downloading. The best way is to use the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer networks like torrent trackers or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never guess what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded files with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.
How to remove the V3nom virus?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the V3nom virus will most likely deploy the Azorult Spyware on your computer to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That program can derive your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Sometimes racketeers would unblock some of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption tool. As V3nom virus is a relatively new ransomware, anti-malware designers have not yet found a way to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the anti-ransomware tools are frequently upgraded, so the solution may soon be available.
Of course, if the evildoers succeed in encrypting victim’s essential files, the hopeless person will most likely fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying to criminals gives no guarantee that you’re getting your data back. It is still dangerous. After getting the money, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports of criminals just vanishing after getting the ransom without even writing back.
The optimal solution against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your critical files in the cloud disk or at least on an external disk. Obviously, that might be not enough. The most crucial thing could be that one you were working upon when it all started. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the anti-malware utility after the system is rolled back.
V3nom is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. For instance, Qqqw, Maak, Bbbw, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the V3nom are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is the same: documents become encrypted, their extensions altered, ransom notes appear in every folder containing encoded files.
Some lucky people were able to decrypt the blocked files with the aid of the free tools provided by anti-malware developers. Sometimes the criminals mistakenly send the decoding code to the victims in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the user to restore the files. But obviously, one should never expect such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ technology to pull the money out of their victims.
How do I avert ransomware attack?
V3nom ransomware doesn’t have a superpower, neither does any similar malware.
You can protect yourself from ransomware attack in three easy steps:
- Ignore any letters from unknown mailers with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (how can you win in a lottery without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, check all elements of the dubious email carefully. A hoax email will always have a mistake.
- Do not use cracked or unknown software. Trojan viruses are often shared as an element of cracked products, most likely under the guise of “patch” which prevents the license check. Understandably, untrusted programs are difficult to tell from trustworthy ones, because trojans may also have the functionality you need. Try searching for information about this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the best way is not to use such software.
- And to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a perfect defense for your system.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft2
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft3.
Download Removal Tool.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Run the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your system.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for V3nom infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
Frequently Asked Questions
🤔 How can I open “.V3NOM” files?Is it possible to open“.V3NOM” files?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.V3NOM” files are decrypted.
🤔 What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?
Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. All other solutions require time.
🤔 Will GridinSoft Anti-Malware remove all the encrypted files alongside the V3nom virus?
No way! The encrypted files are not harmful, so they won’t be deleted.
With the help of GridinSoft Anti-Malware, you can clean your PC off the actual viruses. The virus that has infiltrated your computer is probably still functional and running scans periodically to arrest any new files you might create on your PC after the attack. As it has been mentioned above, the V3nom malware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide hackers with easy access to your PC in the future.
🤔 What to do if the V3nom virus has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation code.
In such a case, you need to prepare a memory stick with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the cleaning. You see, the ransomware starts automatically as the system boots and encodes any new files created or imported into your machine. To block this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What could help the situation right now?
Some of the blocked files can be found elsewhere.
- If you sent or received your important files by email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or family members. Just ask them to send those images back to you.
- If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud disks might have all those files too.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old computer, a notebook, mobile, flash memory, etc.
HINT: You can employ file recovery programs4 to get your lost data back since ransomware blocks the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the video below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but remember: you can do it only after you remove the virus with an antivirus program.
Also, you can contact the following official fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.
I need your help to share this article.
It is your turn to help other people. I have written this guide to help users like you. You can use the buttons below to share this on your favorite social media Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit.
Brendan SmithHow to Remove V3NOM Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: V3NOM Virus
Description: V3NOM Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .V3NOM extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
- Here’s the list of Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
