I wrote this article to help you remove .Arena Virus File Ransomware. This .Arena Virus File Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
The .Arena Virus File is one of the most recent additions to the already huge ransomware family. The ransomware industry has turned into quite the moneymaker and newer and newer pieces get developed every single day. The .Arena Virus File is one of them. It doesn’t stand out with anything in particular but the single fact that it is a ransomware is enough. The pest follows the standard pattern. It invades your system, encrypts your files and then blackmails you for money. Unsurprisingly, money is the only reason all ransomware pieces get developed for. Crooks use these parasites to extort innocent users. Yes, unlike other infections which may try to steal your money, ransomware makes you give it voluntarily. It takes something of yours and then demands money for its return. This something is your precious files. Let`s explain.
As soon as the .Arena Virus File enters, it scans your machine. It searches for all the private files you have stored on board and when it finds them, it encrypts them with a strong encryption algorithm. All of this happens completely behind your back. It is almost impossible to catch a ransomware in the act. It is very sneaky. Also, the encryption process itself is absolutely legal. It is created to protect data and that’s why most anti-malware programs don’t reflag it. However, hackers have decided to take advantage of that and to use the encryption to their advantage. They lock all of your photos, videos, MS Office files, music, presentations, databases, etc. and make it inaccessible to you. You are no longer able to open/view/edit/listen to any of them in any way. Moreover, to solidify its grip, .Arena Virus File changes the names of your data with random characters and appends the “.arena” extension. This is when you realize you are infected. Seeing everything renamed like that is your sign.
Once the file-locking process is over, the pest drops a message for you stating that recovering your files will cost you. You are supposed to purchase a special decryptor which doesn’t come cheap. The hackers promise to send you the tool once they receive the payment. However, this hardly ever happens. Usually, victims get ignored once they have paid. Making deals with cybercriminals is not a good idea. They are not famous for keeping their word. Their only goal is money, your locked data is their last concert. Don’t play their game. You will lose. If you pay, you lose. Imagine that you transfer the money but the crooks don’t send you anything. Or, they decide to want more money from you. How many times are you going to comply with their demands? You shouldn’t do that even once. Paying won`t get you a decryptor but even if it does .Arena Virus File remains on your PC ready to strike again. Forget about paying. Use our removal guide and get rid of the ransomware manually. Then, continue using the guide to try and recover your data.
How did the ransomware enter? Like all infections, ransomware pieces also use tricks to get on board. These tricks include spam email messages and malicious attachments, fake program or system updates, freeware, exploit kits, corrupted pages/links/ads, the help of Trojan horses, unverified download sources, etc. The only way to protect your PC is to be extra vigilant all the time. If you are distracted and inattentive, you are basically helping crooks. Also, get yourself a good anti-malware program, keep it up to date and regularly scan your PC to be sure it is clean. And finally, always keep backups of your most important files (it would be best if the backups are on an external drive). This way you know you have copies if anything happens to the originals.
.Arena Virus File Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, .Arena Virus File Ransomware deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.
- Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
- Install ShadowExplorer
- Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
- Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
- Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
- Right-click on the encrypted file
- Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file
Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore
- Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
- Click “Next“
- Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
- Click “Next“
- Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
- Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.
Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since .Arena Virus File Ransomware first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:
