VapeLauncher Removal Guide

VapeLauncher is a dangerous computer infection that can also be considered an “educational” ransomware. It means that the criminals may use this program to attack unsuspecting users and to make them think that ransomware programs are impossible to get rid of. However, you can remove VapeLauncher from your computer, but the problem is that it may not be possible to restore your files as no public decryption tool is available right now. Instead, you will have to delete the infected files and then transfer the healthy ones from your backup (that is, assuming you have one).

The possibility of getting infected with encrypting ransomware is one of the reasons computer security experts insist users must have a file backup. It might be an online storage space or an external hard drive, but you have to realize how important it is to keep copies of your files. It is possible to lose your files any time, and it is not just about ransomware programs. You may experience some hard disc error that will make it hard to recover your files, so it is always a good idea to keep copies of your files someplace else. This way, you would not be frightened by the likes of VapeLauncher.

The program belongs to the CryptoWire ransomware family, and the application probably enters your computer via spam email attachments. It means that users download and install this program themselves, although they are not aware of that. After execution, VapeLauncher drops a copy of itself in the %PROGRAMFILES(x86) directory, without even bothering to change the filename. The program also makes sure you would not be able to restore your files by deleting all the Shadow Volume copies, and then it launches the encryption that targets the %UserProfile% directory.

Some of our data show that the program might be targeting files no bigger than 30MB, so that could be a bit of relief if most of your files are way bigger than that. On the other hand, there is no guarantee that the feature cannot be changed. Depending on the release, there might come another version of VapeLauncher that can encrypt all file sizes. What’s more, the infection will also overwrite the contents of your Recycle Bin several times until finally deleting them permanently. Together with the Shadow Volume copies removal, this is one of the ways for the ransomware to ensure that you cannot restore your files.

Needless to say, the infection wants you to pay the ransom to decrypt your files. It requires around $200USD in bitcoins, but you should definitely not pay a single cent. We would strongly recommend deleting VapeLauncher from your system following the instructions you will find below this description. To close the screen message, you can simply click the “Decrypt files” button, without entering the correct decryption key.

After manual removal, scan your computer with the SpyHunter free scanner. You need to be sure that there are no other malicious files on your computer. Only when your system is clean and safe can you transfer the healthy files back into your hard disk. For more information on this type of malware or your computer’s security, please do not hesitate to contact us.

How to Remove VapeLauncher

1. Delete the malicious file you launched before the encryption.
2. Press Win+R and type %ProgramFiles(x86)%. Click OK.
3. Open the Common Files directory.
4. Remove the malicious executable file.
5. Press Win+R and type %WINDIR%. Click OK.
6. Go to System32\Tasks.
7. Find a task file with 10 random digits and delete it.
8. Scan your PC with the SpyHunter free scanner.