What is STOP Ransomware
This is fourth iteration of notorious STOP Ransomware, that was launched in November, 2018. Now it adds .DATAWAIT, .INFOWAIT or .shadow extensions to encrypted files. Virus uses new name for ransom note: !readme.txt. It pretends to be a Windows update and uses the TeamViewer resource. Ransomware still uses RSA-1024 encryption algorithm. Current version of STOP Ransomware was developed in Visual Studio 2017. Here are the contents of ransom notes:
---------------------- ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED -----------------------
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files documents, photos, databases and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees do we give to you?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information
Don't try to use third-party decrypt tools because it will destroy your files.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
helpshadow@india.com
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
helpshadow@firemail.cc
Your personal ID:
***======================!ATTENTION PLEASE!======================
Your databases, files, photos, documents and other important files are encrypted and have the extension: .DATAWAIT
The only method of recovering files is to purchase an decrypt software and unique private key.
After purchase you will start decrypt software, enter your unique private key and it will decrypt all your data.
Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files.
You need to contact us by e-mail BM-2cxonzj9ovn5qdx2MrwMK4j3qCquXBKo4h@bitmessage.ch send us your personal ID and wait for further instructions.
For you to be sure, that we can decrypt your files - you can send us a 1-3 any not very big encrypted files and we will send you back it in a original form FREE.
Discount 50% avaliable if you contact us first 72 hours.
E-mail address to contact us:
BM-2cxonzj9ovn5qdx2MrwMK4j3qCquXBKo4h@bitmessage.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
savefiles@india.com
Your personal id:
***======================!ATTENTION PLEASE!======================
Your databases, files, photos, documents and other important files are encrypted and have the extension: .INFOWAIT
The only method of recovering files is to purchase an decrypt software and unique private key.
After purchase you will start decrypt software, enter your unique private key and it will decrypt all your data.
Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files.
You need to contact us by e-mail BM-2cXonzj9ovn5qdX2MrwMK4j3qCquXBKo4h@bitmessage.ch send us your personal ID and wait for further instructions.
For you to be sure, that we can decrypt your files - you can send us a 1-3 any not very big encrypted files and we will send you back it in a original form FREE.
Price for decryption $290 if you contact us first 72 hours.
==============================================================
E-mail address to contact us:
BM-2cXonzj9ovn5qdX2MrwMK4j3qCquXBKo4h@bitmessage.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
savefiles@india.com
Your personal id:
***This variation of STOP Ransomware demands $290 ransom for decryption. Malefactors offer 50% discount, if users pay in 72 hours. At the moment, there are no decryption tools available for STOP Ransomware. You can try to ask for Dr. Web decryption service, or restore from backups. Please, note, that many antivirus companies are working hard on breaking encryption algorithms and searching for vulnerabilities of STOP Ransomware. After some time, decryptor will be, possibly, released. Now you should remove active infection, preserve encrypted files and try different manual methods and recovery software to restore your files. You can also keep your files until decryptor will be released. Use following guide to remove STOP Ransomware and decrypt .DATAWAIT, .INFOWAIT or .shadow files in Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7.
How STOP Ransomware infected your PC
Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, using email spam and malicious attachments, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged and infected installers. STOP Ransomware targets MS Office documents, OpenOffice, PDF, text files, databases, photos, music, video, image files, archives and other types of sensitive data. 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.
Download STOP Ransomware Removal Tool
To remove STOP Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of STOP Ransomware. The trial version of Spyhunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove STOP Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of STOP Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.
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:
!readme.txt
update.exe
updatewin.exe
STOP Ransomware registry keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore .DATAWAIT, .INFOWAIT or .shadow files
Use automated decryptors
Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .DATAWAIT, .INFOWAIT or .shadow 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 .DATAWAIT, .INFOWAIT or .shadow files
- Download Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro.
- Select location to scan for lost files and click Scan button.
- Wait until Quick and Deep scans finish.
- Preview found files and restore them.
Using Windows Previous Versions option:
- Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
- Select Previous Versions tab.
- Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
- To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
- In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.
Using Shadow Explorer:
- Download Shadow Explorer program.
- Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
- Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
- Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
- In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.
If you are using Dropbox:
- Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
- Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
- 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
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.
