What is a .AESIR file?
An .AESIR file is a type of file that has been taken over by a harmful computer program called the Locky virus, which is a form of ransomware used by people who want to steal money. This virus works by changing the files on your computer, like videos (.AVI) or spreadsheets (.XLSX), using a very secure method that mixes two types of code scrambling, RSA and AES-128, to lock your files so you can't open them. These .AESIR files started to appear a lot in 2016 and are very similar to other files called .LOCKY and .ODIN that the Locky virus creates.
To open or fix these .AESIR files, one suggested method is using System Restore on your computer. This doesn't exactly open the file in the usual sense but rather tries to return your computer to a state before the virus attacked, hopefully getting your files back to normal.
The Locky virus is very sneaky and usually gets onto a computer by tricking someone into opening a fake email that looks like it's from a trustworthy source, like an Internet Service Provider. The email might have an attachment, often a .ZIP file with a name that seems relevant to the recipient, which, when opened, lets the virus in. Once inside, it messes up the files, renames them, and locks them, making them inaccessible. It then leaves instructions, usually in the form of text or HTML files, on how to pay a ransom in Bitcoin to get the files unlocked.
In summary, an .AESIR file is a locked file created by a harmful virus that demands money to unlock your files. Opening these files directly isn't straightforward and usually requires restoring your computer to an earlier state before the virus attack.
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