What is Acuna ransomware?
Acuna is another cyber threat that can be attributed to the number of ransomware viruses. Like other threats of this type, Acuna ransomware encrypts user data using a multi-stage algorithm. So, Acuna ransomware targets users’ files such as photos, videos, archives, documents, making them completely useless and unusable. The exact amount of the buyback is not indicated, however, according to reports, the buyback price can reach several hundred dollars, and sometimes several thousand. Be that as it may, we do not recommend you pay. Instead, check out our guides and instructions to remove Acuna ransomware and decrypt .Acuna files without paying a ransom.
Once the encryption procedure is done, you won’t be able to open files with .id[xxxxxxxx-3163].[Cusapool@firemail.cc].Acuna extension unless they are decrypted. Here, Acuna ransomware drops 2 files: info.txt and info.hta that contain kidnappers’ demands. Fraudsters provided contact addresses for contacting them. And of course, the note ends with a message that if the user does not do as he is told, then the files will be lost forever.
The content of the pop-up window (info.hta):
All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail: Cusapool@firemail.cc
Write this ID in the title of your message –
To increase the likelihood of receiving a response to your request, also duplicate your letters to the following e-mails:zezoxo@libertymail.net and togerpo@zohomail.eu
For quick and convenient feedback, write to the online operator in the Telegram messenger: @zezoxo
(The username of the Telegram account must be exactly the same as above.)
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
Attention!
To get guaranteed assistance in decrypting your files, please contact only the contacts indicated in this note, otherwise we are not responsible for the decryption!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third-party software, as this may result in irreversible data loss.
Decrypting your files with the help of third parties may increase the price (they add their fee to ours) or you risk losing money without receiving files decryption in return.
!!! When contacting third parties, we do not give a guarantee for decryption of your files !!!
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoinsAlso you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
There are two solutions to remove Acuna Ransomware and decrypt your files. The first is to use an automated removal tool. This method is suitable even for inexperienced users since the removal tool can delete all instances of the virus in just a few clicks. The second is to use the Manual Removal Guide. This is a more complex way that requires special computer skills.
The content of the ransom note (info.txt):
!! All your files are encrypted !!!
To decrypt them, send an email to this address: Cusapool@firemail.cc.
To increase the likelihood of receiving a response to your request, also duplicate your letters to the following e-mails:
zezoxo@libertymail.net and togerpo@zohomail.eu
For quick and convenient feedback, write to the online operator in the Telegram messenger: @zezoxo
(The username of the Telegram account must be exactly the same as above.)Attention!
To get guaranteed assistance in decrypting your files, please contact only the contacts indicated in this note, otherwise, we are not responsible for the decryption!
Screenshot of Acuna encrypted files:
How Acuna ransomware gets on my computer?
Cybercriminals use various techniques to deliver the virus to the target computer. Ransomware viruses can infiltrate victims’ computers more than in one or two ways, in most cases, cryptoviral extortion attack is carried out with the help of the following methods:
| Name | Acuna |
| Type of threat | Ransomware, cryptovirus, file-locking virus |
| File Extension | .[Cusapool@firemail.cc].Acuna |
| Ransom Note | info.hta, info.txt |
| Contact | cusapool@firemail.cc, zezoxo@libertymail.net, togerpo@zohomail.eu, or @zezoxo on Telegram |
| Genealogy | Phobos Ransomware |
| Detections | BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Ransom.Phobos.62), ESET-NOD32 ( A Variant Of Win32/Filecoder.Phobos.C), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic), more detections (VirusTotal) |
| Distribution | Spam email attachments, RDP, pirated software, torrent websites, phishing sites |
| Removal Tool |
In order to completely remove ransomware from your computer, you will need to install an antivirus software. We recommend using SpyHunter |
| Recovery Tool |
The only effective method to restore files is to copy them from a saved backup. If you don’t have a suitable backup, you may use third-party recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery |
How to remove Acuna ransomware?
Recommended Solution:
Try SpyHunter
SpyHunter is a powerful tool that is able to keep your Windows clean. It would automatically search out and delete all elements related to malware. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate malware but also the safest and most assuring one. The full version of SpyHunter costs $42 (you get 6 months of subscription). By clicking the button, you agree to EULA and Privacy Policy. Downloading will start automatically.
Try Stellar Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery is one of the most effective tools that can recover lost and corrupted files — documents, emails, pictures, videos, audio files, and more — on any Windows device. The powerful scan engine can detect compromised files and finally save them to specified destination. Despite its advancedness, it’s very concise and simple so that even the most inexperienced user can figure it out.
Try MailWasher
Email security is the first line of defense against ransomware viruses. To do this, we recommend that you use MailWasher. MailWasher blocks ransomware viruses coming through spam and phishing, and automatically detects malicious attachments and URLs. In addition, malicious messages can be blocked even before the recipient opens them. Since the main source of the spread of ransomware viruses are infected emails, antispam significantly reduces the risk of a virus appearing on your computer.
After the virus is completely removed from your system, you can begin the process of restoring your files.
How to decrypt files infected by Acuna Ransomware?
Most regrettably, there are no free decryption tools that will be able to decrypt files encrypted by any Phobos Ransomware variants. All of the methods listed below do not guarantee full file recovery. Nevertheless, due to the lack of other ways than to pay the ransom, we advise you to perform them, maybe they will help at least partially restore your data.
Method 1. Restore your files with the help of Recovery Tool
In case your PC has been attacked by ransomware, you may restore your files by using file recovery software. Stellar Data Recovery is one of the most effective tools that can recover lost and corrupted files — documents, emails, pictures, videos, audio files, and more — on any Windows device. The powerful scan engine can detect compromised files and finally save them to specified destination. Despite its advancedness, it’s very concise and simple so that even the most inexperienced user can figure it out.
- Run Stellar Data Recovery.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next.
- Select the drive and folder where your files are located and date that you want to restore them from and press Scan.
- Once the scanning process is done, click Recover to restore your files.
- After this, select a destination and click Start Saving to save restored data.
Since new ransomware-type viruses appear almost every day, there is no technical possibility to issue a decryptor for each virus. In this case, the recovery tool comes to the rescue. Despite the fact that this is one of the most effective methods in the absence of a decryptor, this is not 100 percent and not the only way.
Method 2. Restore the system using System Restore
Although the latest versions of Acuna Ransomware can remove system restore files, this method may help you partially restore your files. Give it a try and use standard System Restore to revive your data. The entire process is preferably carried out in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:
For Windows XP/Vista/7 users:
Restart your computer and before your system starts – hit F8 several times. This will prevent system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with Command Prompt option from the options list using up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.
For Windows 8/10 users:
- Click the Start button, then select Settings
- Click Update & Security, then select Recovery and click Restart now.
- After your device reboots, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options >Startup Settings > Restart
- After your PC restarts, you should press F5 key to Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
After the system is loaded in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, do following:
- In the Command Prompt window, type cd restore and hit Enter.
- Then type rstrui.exe and hit Enter again.
- Once a new window shows up, click Next.
- Choose the date before the infection appearance and click Next again
- In the opened pop-up window, click Yes to start system restore.
Method 4. Roll the files back to the previous version
Previous versions can be copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup (if it is active) or copies of files and folders created by System Restore. You can use this feature to restore files and folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged. This feature is available in Windows 7 and later versions.
- Click the encrypted file and choose Properties
- Open the Previous Version tab
- Select the latest version and click Copy
- Click Restore
How to prevent your system from Ransomware?
No one is safe from infection with a virus that secretly encrypts your data. But in order to minimize this risk, you need to follow the rules:
1. Always make Windows updates on time and keep them up to date. Remember that these updates close the security holes in the system through which the virus can enter your computer.
2. The most efficient way to avoid data loss is of course to make a backup of all important data from your computer. It is enough just to synchronize the necessary folders with one of the cloud services, so as not to be afraid to see the text requiring the payment of bitcoins in exchange for a decryption key. It can be a cloud or a remote hard drive on the network. If you store all your files on the Internet, the likelihood of virus infection will be lower. Do not make copies to external hard drives, as this could damage them.
3. Since spam email is the most popular form of spreading ransomware-type viruses, the user should never open email attachments without first having scanned them with antivirus. Just clicking on the link or opening the attachment can damage the operating system (Windows) in a few minutes, damage important data, and infect other machines with the virus.
Try MailWasher
Email security is the first line of defense against ransomware viruses. To do this, we recommend that you use MailWasher. MailWasher blocks ransomware viruses coming through spam and phishing, and automatically detects malicious attachments and URLs. In addition, malicious messages can be blocked even before the recipient opens them. Since the main source of the spread of ransomware viruses are infected emails, antispam significantly reduces the risk of a virus appearing on your computer.
4. All previous methods do not matter if you do not have a reliable antivirus. The presence of anti-virus protection on your computer can prevent all these unpleasant surprises. Anti-virus protection will protect you from malware, money loss, time loss, invasion of your personal life. Now the antivirus market is so huge that it is difficult to make a choice in favor of one of them. If you have not decided who to give preference to, we suggest you familiarize yourself with our Top 5 Antivirus Software for Windows