How to remove AES virus (Ransomware)

by Sean Doyle · Published August 23, 2017 · Updated September 11, 2022

What is AES?

AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard. It is also known by its original name Rijndael. AES is a specification for the encryption of electronic data established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2001. It supersedes the Data Encryption Standard (DES), which was published in 1977.

what is AES

AES became effective as a federal government standard on May 26, 2002, after approval by the Secretary of Commerce. AES is included in the ISO/IEC 18033-3 standard. AES is available in many different encryption packages, and is the only publicly accessible cipher approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) for top secret information when used in an NSA approved cryptographic module.

AES is based on a design principle known as a substitution-permutation network, a combination of both substitution and permutation, and is fast in both software and hardware. Unlike its predecessor DES, AES does not use a Feistel network. AES has a fixed block size of 128 bits, and a key size of 128, 192, or 256 bits.

The key size used for an AES cipher specifies the number of repetitions of transformation rounds that convert the input, called the plaintext, into the final output, called the ciphertext. The number of cycles of repetition are as follows:

10 cycles of repetition for 128-bit keys.
12 cycles of repetition for 192-bit keys.
14 cycles of repetition for 256-bit keys.

Each round contains several different processing steps and each consists of four similar stages, including one that depends on the encryption key itself. A set of reverse rounds are applied to transform the ciphertext back into the original plaintext using the same encryption key.

AES viruses encrypt computer files and hold them for ransom

Unfortunately, AES encryption algorithms and keys are now used by cyber criminals and malware authors to encrypt computer files and hold them for ransom. Computer viruses like Locky, AES-Matrix, and lukitus (a variant of Locky) utilize AES encryption algorithms to encrypt personal files on computers they infect and hold them for ransom. The viruses restrict access to computer files and demand that the victim pay a ransom in order to obtain a key to decrypt their personal files.

AES virus

AES viruses affect business and personal computers. The viruses are normally distributed via email spam messages that contain malicious .zip and .rar email attachments. Once the attachment is downloaded and executed it will spread the malware across the machine and begin its encryption process. An example of email that spreads AES viruses is detailed below:

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If you cannot view this attachment download a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader from: http://get.adobe.com/reader/
Email powered by Reform



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PLEASE CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT BEFORE PRINTING THIS EMAIL

This email and any files sent with it are intended only for the named recipient. If you are not the named recipient please telephone/email the sender immediately. You should not disclose the content or take/distribute any copies. Where the content of this email is personal or otherwise unconnected with Redactive Media Group's business, Redactive Media Group accepts no responsibility or liability for such content.

Redactive Media Group refers to the following limited companies each of which are registered in England and Wales and each of which's registered office is 78 Chamber St, London E1 8BL: Redactive Media Group Limited (registered number 07464280), Redactive Publishing Limited (registered number 3156216), Redactive Media Sales Limited (registered number 3220190), Redactive Events Limited (registered number 4615386).

The instructions on this page explain how to remove AES viruses, malware, other ransomware, and decrypt encrypted files encrypted by AES algorithms. Follow each step below to remove this infection and secure your computer from malicious threats. On the bottom of this guide you will also find recovery and decryption software for various ransomware infections.

1. Remove AES virus with Malwarebytes

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Open your browser window and download Malwarebytes 3.0 Premium or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free.
Open the executable file (mb3-setup.exe) to begin installing Malwarebytes.
Select your language, click Next, then select “I accept the agreement,” click the Next button several times, and then click the Install button to install Malwarebytes. Click Finish once the install process is complete.
Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button on the Dashboard to begin scanning your computer.
Click the Quarantine Selected button once the scan is finished.
If Malwarebytes says “All selected items have been removed successfully. A log file has been saved to the logs folder. Your computer needs to be restarted to complete the removal process. Would you like to restart now?” click the Yes button to restart your computer.

2. Remove AES virus with HitmanPro

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Open your browser window and download HitmanPro.
Open the executable file (hitmanpro_x64.exe or hitmanpro_x32.exe) to begin installing HitmanPro.
Click the Next button, check “I accept the terms of the license agreement,” and click the Next button again.
On the Setup page select “Yes, create a copy of HitmanPro so I can regularly scan this computer (recommended)” and add your email address to the registration fields to begin the free trial.
Click Next to begin scanning your computer.
Once the Scan results are displayed click the Next button and click the Next button again on the Removal results page.

3. Clean up and repair issues with CCleaner

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Open your browser window and download CCleaner Professional or CCleaner Free.
Open the executable file (ccsetup.exe or other) to begin installing CCleaner.
Click the Install button to begin stalling the program.
Click Run CCleaner to open the program when installation is complete.
Select the Cleaner tab and click the Analyze button.
When the Analyze process is complete click the Run Cleaner button to clean all files.
Next, select the Registry tab and click the Scan for Issues button to scan for issues in your registry.
When the scan is complete click the Fix selected Issues button and Fix All Selected Issues button to fix the issues.
Next, select the Tools tab and click Startup. Examine each area, search for suspicious entries, and delete any suspicious startup entries by selecting the entry and clicking the Delete button.
Next, click Browser Plugins and search each internet browser for unwanted browser add-ons and extensions. Click the extension you want to delete and click the Delete button to remove it.

Decryption/File Recovery Software

View decryption software

NAME	DESCRIPTION	DOWNLOAD
Shadow Explorer	Restores lost or damaged files from Shadow Copies	Download (Free)
Photorec	Recovers lost files	Download (Free)
Recuva	Recovers lost files	Download (Free) \| Buy

Troubleshoot

Alternative methods are suggested if there are issues removing AES ransomware from an infected computer.

Restore your computer to a date and time before infection
Recover your computer to factory settings

How to Restore your computer

If a restore point has previously been established on your machine you will be able to perform a system restore in order to restore your machine to a date and time before it was infected. You will lose files on your computer that were obtained prior to the restore point.

There are several options to restore your computer. Most computers have their own restore software that can be found by performing a search. Additionally, computers that run the Windows Operating System have a default restore program that can also be found by performing a search.

A boot screen that can be used to access options to restore your computer can be reached by rebooting your computer and pressing the F8 key once the manufacture screen is displayed.

How to Recover your computer to factory settings

A system recovery (or reset) will recover your computer to factory settings. You will lose the current programs and files on your computer.

There are several options to recover your computer to factory settings. Most computers have their own recovery software that can be found by performing a search. Additionally, computers that run the Windows Operating System have a default recovery program that can also be found by performing a search.