Ahihi Ransomware

Going through a ransomware infection is a terrible experience. No one wants to deal with malware because it can cripple your computer system and destroy your files. Technically, ransomware does not destroy your files, but it can easily block you from opening them because ransomware applications encrypt target files. This is exactly what Ahihi Ransomware does, too. This program was designed to collect money from infected users, but we know by now that the program’s main server is down. Therefore, right now we have to focus on removing Ahihi Ransomware from your computer. If possible, you can restore your files later.

How on earth did Ahihi Ransomware manage to enter your system? Well, this isn’t such a high-profile program for us to know all the details, but it is clear that this infection employed the most popular ransomware distribution methods. The most popular ransomware distribution method is spam emails. It means that the installation file for Ahihi Ransomware or the file that downloads the infection comes as a spam email attachment and users download it willingly. It usually happens because these attachments look like regular document files. And the spam emails that distribute them often look like online shopping invoices or financial reports.

So it is important to recognize ransomware distribution patterns and avoid clicking on attached files when you can clearly see that the email has arrived from an unfamiliar sender. And even if you feel that you have to open this particular attachment, you can always scan it with a licensed antispyware tool before opening it. If the security tool of your choice indicates that the file in question is malicious, you will avoid a serious computer infection. Hence, please always think twice before downloading and opening unfamiliar files. Your computer’s security is in your hands.

Now, if Ahihi Ransomware still manages to enter your system, you will definitely notice it. Although this program doesn’t change the file extensions when it encrypts your files, you will no longer be able to access your data. Every single file on your computer consists of a number of bytes. These bytes are written in a certain pattern than allows your system to read your files. Encryption scrambles that pattern, and the system can no longer read your files although the bytes are still there. In order to unlock your files, you need a decryption key, and Ahihi Ransomware expects you to pay money for it.

However, as mentioned above, paying is not an option because Ahihi Ransomware cannot issue the decryption key anymore. Upon the infection, this program automatically sends the user’s information to ripyon.me/ahihi, but the website is already dead, so there is no way for you to transfer the ransom fee. Aside from encrypting your files, this program also drops a ransom note on your desktop. You can read it in the README.TXT file. The ransom note says the following:

Your files have been encrypted. If you want to get your files back, please visit http://ripyon.me/decrypt and provide us the following information:
- Your computer name:
- Your username:
- Your token:
CAUTION: DO NOT run this app again or your files will be encrypted permanently

Well, now that we know that there is no way to retrieve your files via official channels, we should look for other ways to get them back. If you have a file back-up, you can easily delete all the encrypted files together Ahihi Ransomware, and then transfer healthy copies back into your clean system. Also, there might be copies of your files saved on your mobile device, your email inbox, or some cloud server. The point is that we often save copies of our files across different devices. And if it’s some recent file, you should be able to get it back. Also, you may address a professional who specializes in such infections, to see if it is possible to find a public decryption tool for Ahihi Ransomware.

As far as the infection itself is concerned, this program does not drop additional files, so you can remove it by deleting the file that installed it on your computer. Do not forget to delete the ransom note file from your Desktop as well. If you think that you may have more unwanted applications on-board, you can always scan your PC with a licensed security tool and delete them all automatically.

How to Delete Ahihi Ransomware

1. Remove the most recent files from Desktop.
2. Delete the README.TXT file from your Desktop.
3. Navigate to the Downloads folder.
4. Delete the most recently downloaded files.
5. Run a full system scan with SpyHunter.