I wrote this article to help you remove VenusLocker Ransomware. This VenusLocker Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.

VenusLocker ransomware is a dangerous win-locker. It locks your files with RSA-2048 and AES-256 encryption algorithms which are among the strongest known encryption methods. VenusLocker uses the RSA cipher to generate the public and private keys for your computer. The AES cipher encrypts the private key and sends it to a command and control (C&C) server, controlled by the hackers. This virus is a classic piece of ransomware. First, it will infiltrate your system, then it will scan your hard drive and encrypt all possible files, and finally it will show itself to you.

Following a successful encryption, VenusLocker ransomware will change your desktop background to a custom wallpaper. It will also drop a ransom note with payment instructions and information about the ransom. The note is titled ReadMe.txt. In it, you can see that you have only 72 hours to pay a ransom of $100 USD. The hackers also require victims to send them their personal ID per email. Their address is VenusLocker@mail2tor.com. Don’t rush! First, you need to understand what you are dealing with.

The ransom note does not name the program. However, you can recognize VenusLocker ransomware by the extensions it creates: .VenusLf, .Venusf, .Venusp or .VenusLp. There is no decryption tool for VenusLocker yet. However, it is not advisable to pay the ransom. There are several reasons for that. First of all, you cannot trust cyber criminals. Even if you pay them, there is no guarantee that they will send you a working decryption key, should they send you anything at all. There have been cases with different types of ransomware where the decryption key didn’t work. If this happens to you, then what? You can’t ask for a refund.

VenusLocker ransomware demands a Bitcoin payment. This type of currency is impossible to be tracked down. Even authorities can’t discover who the receiver is. VenusLocker ransomware demands 1 BTC as a payment for the decryption key. It states that you need to pay the ransom within 72 hours, otherwise your only decryption key will be permanently deleted. The time limit is only a psychological trick. It is meant to scare the victim and push them into impulsive actions. Take a minute before you do anything.

Even if the decryption key works, it will only restore your files. It won’t remove the infection, though. It is not unheard of for re-encryption cases to occur. There have been instances where the victim paid the cyber criminals, but their files were re-encrypted just hours later. How many times are you willing to pay for your files?! It is important to remove the infection first and then to look for a way to restore your data. Since there are no decryption tools for VenusLocker ransomware, you can only restore your files from a backup. If you have no such backup, you can try to restore your files through their shadow volume copies. The insidious program may or may not have deleted them.

There are various methods for ransomware distribution. VenusLocker ransomware may have arrived via a malicious email. Crooks would disguise the virus as an invoice, a receipt, or as something else. They will try to trick you into downloading it. Be suspicious of anything you receive in your in-box. Download attached files only if you are absolutely sure who the sender is. Otherwise, delete the letter immediately! The crooks rely on tricks to distribute the virus. Fake software updates are often the cause for such infections. Only accept or download updates from official sources.

Take some measures to protect yourself from future infections. Install a reliable anti-virus program and keep it up-to-date. Frequently scan your system for threats and be careful what you do online. Most importantly, back up your files. This will give you a good chance at maintaining your system safe, if a ransomware attack strikes again.

VenusLocker Ransomware Removal

Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, VenusLocker 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.

1. Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
2. Install ShadowExplorer
3. Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
4. Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
5. Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
6. Right-click on the encrypted file
7. Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file

Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore

1. Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
2. Click “Next“
3. Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
4. Click “Next“
5. Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
6. 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 VenusLocker 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:

1. Recuva
2. Puran File Recovery
3. Disk Drill
4. Glary Undelete