How to Kill AES-Matrix Ransomware (Crypto-Malware/Ransomware)

What is AES-Matrix ransomware? And how does it execute its attack?

AES-Matrix ransomware is a file-encrypting virus that first emerged in July 2017. It seems that its developers decided to enhance and update this ransomware threat as it was detected once again as of late. This new version of AES-Matrix ransomware is also dubbed as “ACCUDATA”. Just like a typical file-encrypting threat, this one is designed to encrypt targeted files in an infected computer. According to security experts, this ransomware is based on the HiddenTear open source platform used widely by cyber crooks in developing ransomware threats.
As soon as it enters a system, AES-Matrix ransomware will modify the Windows Registry and by creating and modifying some registry entries in order to run on every system startup. It also creates more malicious files and places them on system folders to repress any programs like antivirus programs from interfering with its attack. After that, it will scan the entire drive of the computer to look for specific file formats to target. It usually targets user-generated files like documents, images, database, audio files, videos and other valuable files. Once it finds these files, it will employ the AES 256 cryptography in rendering the files useless and inaccessible. Unlike most ransomware threats, AES-Matrix ransomware does not append any extensions to the encrypted files. The only notable sign that your computer is infected with AES-Matrix ransomware is a text file generated by the crypto-malware that informs you what happened to your files. It states:
“Hello,
Your all data have been encrypted by AES-256 key,
If you want to decrypt by yourself, It would take hundred years,
If you can pay some money, I will send you the decrypt key, you can get your data back immediately.
According to the CyberEdge Group’s 2017 Cyberthreat Defense Report, 1/3 company paid a ransom.
So it is not a shame to pay the ransom, many companies paid it before.
You are so large […] company.
Now would you like to see your business become a startup or just pay to continue your business?
Contact my email: [email protected] or [email protected]
If you do not contact me soon, your key will be deleted automatically by the system and you will lose your data 4ever.
Just take it as security consultant fee. They charge much more than me.”
How does AES-Matrix ransomware proliferate?
AES-Matrix ransomware proliferates by hacking into weak and unprotected Remote Desktop Protocol services. Once they succeed, the attackers themselves will install the malicious payload of AES-Matrix ransomware into the system. In addition, it could also proliferate via spam emails. Usually, crooks disguise the malware-laden emails to make them look legitimate so that users will be tricked into opening them and downloading the infected attachment.
Kill AES-Matrix ransomware from your system by following the given removal guide below.
Step 1: Tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step 2: Go to Processes and look for the malicious processes of AES-Matrix ransomware then right click on it and select End Process or End Task.

Step 3: Close the Task Manager and open Control Panel by pressing the Windows key + R, then type in appwiz.cpl and then click OK or press Enter.
Step 4: Look for dubious programs that might be related to AES-Matrix ransomware and then Uninstall it/them.

Step 5: Tap Win + E to launch File Explorer.
Step 6: After opening File Explorer, navigate to the following directories below and look for AES-Matrix ransomware’s malicious components like the text file containing the ransom note and other suspicious-looking files and then remove them all.

%TEMP%
%APPDATA%
%DESKTOP%
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
C:\ProgramData\local\

Step 7: Close the File Explorer.
Before you proceed to the next steps below, make sure that you are tech savvy enough to the point where you know exactly how to use and navigate your computer’s Registry. Keep in mind that any changes you make will highly impact your computer. To save you the trouble and time, you can just use [product-name], this system tool is proven to be safe and excellent enough that hackers won’t be able to hack into it. But if you can manage Windows Registry well, then, by all means, go on to the next steps.
Step 8: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.

Step 9: Navigate to the listed paths below and look for the registry keys and sub-keys created by AES-Matrix ransomware.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

Step 10: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by AES-Matrix ransomware.
Step 11: Close the Registry Editor.
Step 12: Empty your Recycle Bin.
Try to recover your encrypted files using the Volume Shadow copies
Restoring your encrypted files using Windows’ Previous Versions feature will only be effective if AES-Matrix ransomware hasn’t deleted the shadow copies of your files. But still, this is one of the best and free methods there is, so it’s definitely worth a shot.
To restore the encrypted file, right-click on it and select Properties, a new window will pop-up, then proceed to Previous Versions. It will load the file’s previous version before it was modified. After it loads, select any of the previous versions displayed on the list like the one in the illustration below. And then click the Restore button.

Once you’re done executing the steps given above, you need to continue the removal process of AES-Matrix ransomware using a reliable program like [product-name]. How? Follow the advanced removal steps below.
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:

Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
Windows will now load the SafeMode with Networking.
Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.