How to remove STOP Ransomware and decrypt .adobe or .adobee files

What is STOP Ransomware

This particular sample of Adobe Ransomware is, in fact, a continuation of STOP Ransomware family. This virus attacks files, that can be important for average user, like documents, photos, databases, music, enciphers them with AES encryption and adds .adobe (one “e” in the end), .adobee (two “e”s in the end) extensions to affected files. This creates a mess, because there are several different ransomware families using this extension after encryption. All these viruses use different algorithms, however .adobe and .adobee files encrypted by STOP Ransomware can be deciphered using STOPDecrypter (provided below). STOP (.adobe) virus uses same e-mail addresses (pdfhelp@india.com and pdfhelp@firemail.cc). Versions with .adobe and .adobee extensions create _openme.txt file with ransom note on the desktop and in the folders with affected files. Here are the contents of these files:

Unlike previous versions, this one gives clear information about the cost of decryption, which is $980 (or $490 if it is paid within 72 hours). However, this is just a trick, to encourage people to pay the ransom. Often authors of the ransomware don’t send any decryptor. We recommend you to remove executables of STOP Ransomware and use decryption tools available for .adobe files. Save those encrypted files, that cannot be decoded yet to the time, when decryption tool will be updated. Before that, you should try manual instructions provided in this article to restore files. Software used for recovery of removed files can also help to return some of the copies of the files, that were removed by users earlier. Follow steps, given on this page, to remove STOP Ransomware and decrypt .adobe or .adobee files in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7.

STOP (.adobe) Ransomware

How STOP Ransomware infected your PC

STOP Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments and by manual PC hacking. Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged and infected installers. Virus assigns certain ID with the victims, that is used to name those files and supposedly to send decryption key. In order to prevent infection with this type of threats in future we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Norton Antivirus.

How to remove STOP Ransomware manually

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

STOP Ransomware files:


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STOP Ransomware registry keys:

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How to decrypt and restore .adobe or .adobee files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOPDecrypter (.adobe variations)

This tool was developed by Michael Gillespie. It requires encrypted and original file pair with the size more ~150 Kb and works only for those encrypted with offline keys. Download it here:

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .adobe or .adobee or files. Download it here:

There is no purpose to pay the ransom, because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

If you are infected with STOP Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt 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 Phoenix Data Recovery Pro to restore .adobe or .adobee files

1. Download Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro.
2. Select location to scan for lost files and click Scan button.
3. Wait until Quick and Deep scans finish.
4. Preview found files and restore them.

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.

How to protect computer from viruses like STOP Ransomware in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

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.

2. Back up your files

Regardless of success of protection against ransomware threats, you can save your files using simple online backup. Cloud services are quite fast and cheap nowadays. There is more sense using online backup, than creating physical drives, that can get infected and encrypted when connected to PC or get damaged from dropping or hitting. Windows 10 and 8/8.1 users can find pre-installed OneDrive backup solution from Microsoft. It is actually one of the best backup services on the market, and has reasonable pricing plans. Users of earlier versions can get acquainted with it here. Make sure to backup and sync most important files and folders in OneDrive.

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

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.