OoPS ransomware / virus (Bonus: Decryption Steps) - Virus Removal Instructions

OoPS virus Removal Guide

What is OoPS ransomware virus?

OoPS crypto-virus locks your files in a ZIP archive with an elaborate password

The image of OoPS ransomware virus

OoPS functions as a file-encrypting threat which employs AES[1] algorithm to corrupt 45 different file types. It aims at MS Office, image, audio, video, and other popular files. The virus adds these files to a password-protected ZIP archive and appends .ramen file extension. Recently, another version of the malware has been detected OopsLocker virus.

Undoubtedly, people standing behind this cyber threat offer to get back access to encrypted data by paying the ransom. How much money they ask to pay is currently unknown. However, taking this risky deal is not recommended because you might end up with money loss too. Thus, after the attack, we highly recommend focusing on OoPS removal.

It’s important to delete all malicious components from the system to protect your device from further damage or cyber attacks. The best way to do it is running a full system scan with FortectIntego pr Malwarebytes.

The virus arrives on the system as obfuscated “OoPS Ramenware.exe” file. Once it’s executed, malware makes modifications on system and instals various malicious components in %AppData%, %Roaming%, %Local%, %LocalLow% and %Temp% directories. Malware might also modify Windows Registry and affected several sub-keys in order to run as soon as a computer is turned on.

Before starting data encryption, OoPS ransomware might also get administrative privileges of the device. What is more, it might delete Shadow Volume Copies of the targeted files and backups. Thus, data recovery is nearly impossible without specific decryption software.

We want to remind that purchasing it from cyber criminals is not recommended. They might not have working decryption software, you might be tricked into installing malicious software, or they might simply disappear as soon as they receive the ransom. We believe it’s better to remove OoPS and lose your files than risking to lose the money as well.

Another version – OopsLocker – strikes

On July 18th, a new version has been detected roaming around. The malware which introduces itself as OopsLocker threat. As the previous version, it targets Windows OS users via RDP and spam emails. Its trojan, Deepscan.Generic.Ransom.Wcryg!c, may also lurk for victims in corrupted domains. After the infiltration, the infection encodes files and marks them with .oops file extension.

Luckily, at the moment the activity of the malware is quite low. The malware seems to be rather a test version. Its GUI is not highly sophisticated. It warns users several times not to make any modifications to the files. In exchange to the data, the felons require paying 0.1 bitcoins to the indicated Bitcoin address. In case of technical issues, they provide only4you@protonmail.com address.

Furthermore, the malware also drops the following files: \oops\,oops.exe
EncryptedFiles.txt, EncryptedKey, and KeyHash. Once you notice one of them make a rush to reboot the system. Since the malware is still undeveloped, you may disrupt its processes. Then, proceed to OopsLocker removal. Malware elimination tools will help you detect and delete all associated files. Let us remind you once again not to pay the ransom.

The illustration of OoPS ransomwareOoPS ransomware adds targeted files to the ZIP archive and appends .ramen file extension that prevents users from accessing them.

The virus lurks for unsuspecting users in spam attachments

OoPS ransomware is mostly distributed via malicious spam email campaigns.[2] Criminals use social engineering techniques and pretend to be from well-known companies, such as PayPal, FedEx, Amazon, etc. Also, they might claim to be representatives from banks and governmental organizations. Thus, crooks can easily trick victims into opening an obfuscated attachments or click on an infected link.

Once a person does that, the malicious payload is dropped and executed on the system. Besides, OoPS might also enter the system as fake updates or software. Usually, they are promoted as crucial components or useful programs in unknown file-sharing sites, P2P networks or torrents. In order to avoid this cyber threat, you always have to think twice before opening suspicious email attachment and choose reliable sources for software downloads and updates.

Before clicking on content provided in an unknown email, look up for grammar and spelling mistakes, strange phrases, lack of credentials, and similar details that might reveal criminals. In order to protect your computer from OoPS ransomware, you should also choose reliable sources for software downloads and updates.

Options to eliminate OoPS crypto-malware

OoPS is a complex cyber infection that makes system modifications and installs numerous malicious files on the system. Thus, you cannot simply “uninstall” it. We would like to discourage you wasting time on attempts to get rid of the threat manually.

It may lead to irreparable system damage. Malware might use the names of legitimate files and affect system processes. Thus, you might accidentally delete crucial system files. In order to remove OoPS ransomware safely, you should employ a reputable malware removal program, such as FortectIntego, or Malwarebytes. Dannish users[3] should be especially cautious of the threat

Before installing one of these tools, you may need to reboot the computer to the Safe Mode because malware might stop you from this activity. How to deal with obstacles and run automatic elimination are explained in the instructions below. After OoPS removal, you can restore files from backups or try additional recovery methods.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of OoPS virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

OoPS ransomware might prevent from installing security program or run automatic removal. In order to solve this problem, follow the steps below.

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove OoPS using System Restore

If you still cannot perform automatic malware removal, follow the steps below and try again.

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of OoPS. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that OoPS removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove OoPS from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

Currently, data recovery is only possible if you have backups. Otherwise, it might be nearly impossible to restore them. However, you should not pay the ransom and sponsor cyber criminals. You should try alternative recovery solutions until the official decryptor will be released.

If your files are encrypted by OoPS, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro might help to restore files encrypted by OoPS ransomware

It's a professional software that helps to restore corrupted or deleted files. It's often being updated in order to help victims of ransomware too.

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by OoPS ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions feature might help to access previously saved versions of encrypted files

If System Restore has been enabled before ransomware attack, you should follow the steps below an access the most important data.

  • Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
  • Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
  • Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

OoPS Decryptor is not available yet.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from OoPS and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Do not let government spy on you

The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet. 

You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.

Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.

Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack

Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.

When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.

About the author
Linas Kiguolis
Linas Kiguolis - Expert in social media

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