Aamv Virus Ransomware (.aamv File) Removal

What is Aamv ransomware?

Aamv ransomware is something you'll want to avoid at all costs. Its impact extends beyond just encrypting your files—it also hits your wallet hard and compromises your computer's configurations, weakening your system's defenses. Therefore, it's much wiser to prevent its intrusion than to mitigate the aftermath of its activities.

The majority of Aamv virus infections stem from the use of "free" software. These applications are meant to be bought, but hackers bypass the license verification, allowing them to be used without payment. In the process of tampering with license checks, it's all too easy for hackers to implant malware into the program's code. The specific malware introduced is often a factor of the hacker's compensation, with Aamv ransomware being a prime example of such malicious software.

The Salsa20 encryption algorithm is what this virus uses to lock your files. While not the most formidable encryption available, its effectiveness is significantly enhanced due to the decryption key being held on a remote server controlled by the ransomware operators. Accessing the essential decryption key without submitting to the ransom demands is practically impossible. Attempts at brute force decryption are futile, given the overwhelming number of potential keys. While file decryption tools might offer a glimmer of hope, the likelihood of successfully recovering your files remains slim.

Encryption process

The Aamv ransomware uses the Salsa20 encryption algorithm. That is not the strongest method, but it still provides an overwhelming amount of possible decryption keys. To brute force the 78-digit number of keys, you need 3.5 unvigintillion years (1*10^65), even if you use the most powerful regular PC. Quantum computers can show a bit better results, but it is still too slow to get your files back while you are alive.

The exact algorithm of encryption is next: malware scans each folder for the files it is able to encrypt. Then, when it finds the target, it makes a copy of your file, removes the original one, encrypts the copy and leaves it instead of the removed original. Such a procedure is done to prevent the situation when you have already opened the file, so ransomware is not able to read it because of the Windows restrictions. To each encrypted copy, the virus adds the specific extension - ".aamv". Then, ransomware creates a _readme.txt file in the folder where the encrypted file is located, and goes to the next folder.

Such an encryption method can be exploited for file recovery. Since the original file is deleted, you may try to recover it using the file recovery tools. The less time is passed - the bigger the chance to get your files back, so hurry up!

Another specific moment that can help you to use the files even after the encryption is the fact that Aamv ransomware encrypts only the first 150KB of each file. Hence, you can try to run a big file, such as video or music, without the encryption. Similar feature also works with other ransomware families - Dharma, Conti and Makop encrypt the same 150KB.

Ransom note: _readme.txt

Ransom note is the same for the whole ransomware family. In fact, it is one of the main signs of to which family the certain ransomware belongs. Here is the typical note for STOP/Djvu family:

External Links:

🔗 HowToFix.Guide: How To Decrypt .aamv Files?

Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

File Name	MD5	File Size
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	b81c131ddab68655a19429a3ddae55cb	820224
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	43ad48299993f94bcaadc8507165f749	820224
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	d3291a9d6e90bd3c98a1518ff7f63408	812032
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	c0e434a6658c5ab2004e406fa2e043dd	812032
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	522d18626de3d839952fbe81e46d1a5f	812032
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	cb1bedf022438e02646a36644f122b5e	708096
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	0edfa667d2919669a24144a4fd90338f	708096
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	fd23c807e253b07502fdecc219e4738b	708096
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	81e2116711bd6074cd2a7596506d179c	708096
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	541c3896749541e231ad8fc4a4a4e162	709120