How to remove Coba Ransomware and decrypt .coba files

What is Coba Ransomware

Being a successor of Djvu Ransomware, Coba is a ransomware-type virus that targets personal data. Just like other malware of this type, Coba runs data encryption to demand monetary ransom from victims. All files attacked by Coba (including pictures, databases, documents, etc.) will be restricted from access and altered visually as well. For example, a file like 1.pdf will change its look to 1.pdf.coba at the end of encryption. Developers of this ransomware variant apply the .coba extension to each of the target files stored on a system. The next thing it does after manipulating data extensions creates a ransom note (_readme.txt) that contains decryption instructions. Once users open it up, they will be presented with text written by cybercriminals. This text provides information on how to return the encrypted data.

To do it, victims have to pay for decryption software and keys that will be able to unlock access to data. In order to buy this set of tools, victims have to contact extortionists via e-mail and get payment details. There is also an offer to send 1 file for free decryption prior to paying the ransom. Developers think that such an offer will strengthen the trust of victims towards paying the swindlers. However, despite this, there is no real guarantee that cybercriminals will not fool you eventually. In other words, they can receive your money and forget about sending the promised decryption tools. In some cases, users can avoid paying the ransom if there is a free decryption tool developed by cyber experts. Unfortunately, there is no such development for Coba Ransomware at this moment. The only feasible way to recover your data barring the ransom is backup storage. You can delete Coba Ransomware from your computer and return the blocked files from backup devices. If you are unable to purchase paid decryption but do not possess any backup copies, you can still give it a try using third-party tools that may be able to recover some of your data. All information on that and else can be found below.

How Coba Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware infections are commonly spread via e-mail spam, trojans, unprotected RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, fake software installers, and other methods like that. As a rule, most infections happen due to e-mail spam letters. This is because scammers find it to be the easiest way to cover numerous victims. They send messages pre-bundled with malicious attachments or links leading to download pages. Usually, e-mail services do not let others attach potentially dangerous files. However, cybercriminals change file extensions and configurations intentionally to avoid malware protection. This is why they attach ostensibly authentic file formats like MS Office documents and PDFs (sometimes .exe or .js files). Depending on which e-mail service you use, developers provide different protection layers. Less popular services are more likely to be vulnerable to malicious attachments. Whatever the case, it is important to be cautious no matter which service you use. Never open such attachments received from unknown sources, as they might contain virus infections. It is important to note that cybercriminals tend to use names similar to official companies that promote their products. Keep in mind that no official company will send you suspicious files like mentioned above. Below, we will show you the ways to protect your e-mail and system from potential malware attacks.

1. Download Coba Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .coba files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. Restore media files with Media Repair
7. How to protect from threats like Coba Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Coba Ransomware comes along with AZORult trojan, which was initially created to steal logins and passwords. The process of infection also looks like installing Windows updates, the malware shows a fake window, that mimics the update process.

It uses rdpclip.exe to replace a legal Windows file and to launch an attack on a computer network. After encrypting the files, the encrypter is deleted using the delself.bat command file. Coba Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments and using manual PC hacking. Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged, and infected installers. The virus assigns a certain ID to the victims, which is used to name those files and supposedly to send a decryption key. Great tools to protect against Coba Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

How to remove Coba Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Coba Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Coba Ransomware files:

_readme.txt
rdpclip.exe
delself.bat
{randomname}.exe

Coba Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .coba files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.coba variations)

IMPORTANT: Read this detailed guide on using STOP Djvu Decryptor to avoid file corruption and time wasting.

STOP Djvu Decryptor is able to decrypt .coba files, encrypted by Coba Ransomware. This tool was developed by EmsiSoft. It works in automatic mode, but in most cases works only for files encrypted with offline keys. Download it here:

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .coba files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analysis of files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with Coba Ransomware and removed it from your computer, you can try decrypting your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .coba files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

Use Media Repair to decrypt media files encrypted with .coba

1. Download Media Repair tool.
2. Right-click on the downloaded archive, and select Extract to Media_Repair\.
3. Then double-click on the extracted .exe file to launch the utility.
4. At first, you have to choose which file type you want to decrypt. You can do it from the drop-down menu in the utility.
5. Next, browser the folder with encrypted or reference files. Choose any of them and click on the Test icon located in the top right corner.
6. Media Repair will display a pop-up message with information on whether it can repair the selected file or not.
7. After checking if it is possible or not, select your reference file and click on the icon right under the Test button we used in step #5.
8. If the file pair is properly matched, you can move on and hit the Play button to start repairing. You can also stop the process anytime by clicking on the Stop button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Coba Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Coba Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

Download iDrive

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro