How to remove Phoenix virus: Full guide

Category: Ransomware Damage: Severe Data added: September 25, 2021

Phoenix virus is a malicious program that encrypts personal documents on the user's computer. This ransomware displays a message that offers to decrypt all information for money. Decryption instructions appear on the desktop of the infected PC.

Phoenix virus is considered a file encryptor, restricting access to documents, images, videos. The virus encrypts files and then extorts money from victims. The ransomware gets on every version of Windows. This executable starts scanning all the disks on the PC during startup to find the necessary data for encryption.

Phoenix virus looks for files with the extensions .doc, .docx, .xls, .pdf and so on, encrypts the files so they cannot be opened. The user will start opening this data, but the ransomware will immediately show a note, such as 'HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt.'

Additionally, the infection deletes all shadow copies of the volumes so that the user cannot use them for data recovery.

Name	Phoenix virus
Type	Ransomware
Damage	Severe

How did Phoenix virus get on my PC?

Phoenix virus spreading occurs more often via spam, contained in infected attachments, and by using virus programs in the operating system.

Examples of getting Phoenix virus on a computer:

Cybercriminals send an email that has fake headers and solid deception in context. For example, the email may talk about promotions from shipping companies or that they tried to deliver a package to the user but for some reason failed to do so. Often the emails claim to be just notifications on the shipment of ordered shipments. A person cannot resist curiosity and opens such an email with its attached file or link. As a result, the PC is instantly infected by Phoenix virus.
Phoenix virus attacks victims by finding software vulnerabilities on the computer and in its operating system, browsers, third-party applications, and more.

How to remove Phoenix virus? Step by step guide

Here is a complete guide to help get rid of Phoenix virus on your PC. The mostan effective way is to use a proven automatic tool like AVarmor

You should understand that if you want to delete Phoenix virus and have already started the deletion process, you risk losing every file you have because there is no guarantee that you will be able to recover them. User data can be corrupted entirely if you manually remove the infection or restore encrypted files.

However, you can try to solve all problems in manual removal mode. Let's understand it in more detail.

Important information

Unfortunately, it is impossible to recover files encrypted by the Phoenix virus program. This is because the private key, which is needed to unlock the encrypted files, is only available to cybercriminals.

Under no circumstances pay any money to restore your files. Even by paying a ransom, there is no guarantee that the criminals will give you access to the files.

First of all, you need to make sure that the malware is removed from the PC system because it locks the system and encrypts files if it remains in the system.

The problem with access to encrypted files still exists today, but antivirus companies, along with hackers, periodically release descriptors - keys to locked files. Therefore, another option for resolving the situation could be the appearance of the necessary descriptor. Before obtaining a key, the user should save the files.

A descriptor is a systematization of the main parameters of a virus in encoded form (characters starting with a capital Latin letter, small Latin letters, and numbers).

Method 1: Remove Phoenix virus with AVarmor

AVarmor is a tool that removes malware. The utility helps users remove ransomware like Phoenix virus and various malware from their computers. The utility has a simple and user-friendly interface, as well as powerful mechanisms to protect your entire PC system.

Download and install AVarmor.
After completing the download process, run the tool, agreeing with its settings. Before that, you should close all extraneous programs on your PC.
The utility will start its work, and the user needs to click the 'Scan' button for malware.
Once the scan is complete, a list of dangerous objects found will be generated.
Remove all of the threats found.
Once the cleanup is finished, restart your PC.

Method 2: Connect your computer to the network and enter Safe Mode

First, try to boot your computer in safe mode. It would help if you did this to prevent Phoenix virus from starting.

Windows 7, 10, Vista, XP

First, carry out a restart of the computer.
Press F8 Before you see Windows.
You will see a menu of advanced options.
Go to 'Safe Mode with Networking.'
Press Enter.

Windows 8, Windows 8.1

Press Windows+R to bring up the RUN window.
Enter the command msconfig.
Click OK.
Click on the Boot tab.
In that area, select the Safe Boot and Networking options.
Click OK.
Reboot the computer.

Bottom line

We remind you once again:

Never follow unknown links and open documents unless you want to infect your PC with a dangerous Phoenix virus.
Use our proven methods to keep yourself safe from Phoenix virus.
If you have trouble, use AVarmor and try to eliminate ransomware.