Hoop ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Hoop virus and any other malware that falls in this ransomware category may install itself onto your Windows computer as soon as a malicious executable file downloaded from torrent and crack websites, for example, are executed. Immediately after infiltration, system configuration changes, and the data encryption process begins.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Hoop ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Software and game cracks, infected file attachments from emails, various other files found on torrents[2] |
|---|---|
| Name | Hoop ransomware |
| Type | Cryptovirus, file locker |
| Danger | High level of danger because the infection involves money extortion |
| Family | Djvu/STOP ransomware |
| File marker | .hoop |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 14 more facts
| Ransom note | _readme.txt |
|---|---|
| Data recovery | Is possible for some of the versions when offline IDs get used in the encoding. Another option would be a media file restoring tool or third party data recovery applications (listed below) |
| Detection names | Microsoft: Trojan:Win32/Azorult.RS!MTB; Avast: FileRepMetagen [Malware]; Combo Cleaner: Gen:Variant.Jaik.47376; ESET-NOD32: A Variant Of Win32/GenKryptik.FIZT; Kaspersky: HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Stop.gen |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .hoop |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .hoop |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 16 August 2021 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:Win32/Azorult.RS!MTB |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Hoop ransomware detection names
If Windows Security shows Trojan:Win32/Azorult.RS!MTB, it has found Hoop ransomware or a file that belongs to it.
Write the name down before you click Remove: it is the most useful search term later, and you will need it if you report the incident.
A family name in the label is more informative than a heuristic one. Our page on why one threat has many antivirus names lists the common formats and what each part means.
- File extension:
.hoop - Note file:
_readme.txt
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Hoop ransomware
- The most important is the virus termination.
- You shouldn't do anything else until the infection is removed.
- File restoring can happen once the virus is deactivated
- Your device can be affected significantly because the virus damages pieces in system folders.
- can find affected data and help solve the related problems
How Hoop ransomware behaves
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Hoop is an infection that can prove to be detrimental if you don't take the right precautions
Hoop virus and any other malware that falls in this ransomware category may install itself onto your Windows computer as soon as a malicious executable file downloaded from torrent and crack websites, for example, are executed. Immediately after infiltration, system configuration changes, and the data encryption process begins.
This file-locking process typically includes showing fake pop-up windows in order to stop victims from interrupting it by turning off their PC or laptop during the locking of videos and documents with the RSA or AES algorithm. The particular version of the Djvu family tends to fake Windows update or a different process, so users do not interrupt the activity, thinking this is important for the machine.
Ransomware is monetized by getting paid for a decryption tool - it encrypts files so that victims could not access them without a decryption tool purchased from the attackers. This feature allows criminals to fake legitimacy and makes people more eager to pay up.
Hoop ransomware appends the .hoop extension to their filenames and generates a _readme.txt ransom note that provides contact and payment information about how you can recover your data if you are infected with the virus. That shouldn't be considered an option.
Typical behavior of this virus family is not changed for a while, so the ransom note file is named like this and contains the same text inside for years. The only different thing about these new versions - file appendix, contact emails.
Those can be easily changed, but contact information also often gets repeated. Developers of the threat manage to release new versions weekly, and the latest ones include Muuq, Nooa, Reqg.
The data locking virus delivers a ransom note titled that includes all the information required for users to understand the demands of cybercriminals. The hackers offer victims an opportunity to pay $980 in Bitcoin. It is possible to get a discount of 50% within the first 72 hours instead of paying full price.
When the user wants to make contact with cybercriminals, it is possible to reach them via email. If the victim does so, then criminals can look for a needed decryption tool and send that after the money transfer. This happens rarely, so make sure to remove the Hoop infection instead of paying. We will answer all the questions for you.
How to remove Hoop ransomware
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove Hoop ransomware and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Hoop ransomware encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Copy
_readme.txtand one or two files ending in.hoopto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For Hoop ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Hoop ransomware still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
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:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
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:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- 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).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- 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.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Should you follow the ransom note instructions?
The ransom note includes detailed instructions on how to pay after someone managed to create a Bitcoin wallet.
This appears to be done by hackers to monitor whether their target is sincere about paying the ransom. The full ransom note also hints that cybercriminals may provide their victims with decryption software, so the payment ensures that files get recovered.
They can even go as far as to show them how to use it to decrypt files on the infected machine. This means that they do not plan on deleting victims' files after receiving money for them.
That is only for creating trust. It is much easier and more profitable for hackers to continue extorting money from users who feel extremely anxious about their important data, so contacting them can end in money and data loss.
Warning: DO NOT PAY for the Hoop virus creators.
Researhcers only advise against it.
The particular family of ransomware has an option of decryption because of the changes in encryption
If you have infected your computer with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone - it only works if data was locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers.
Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately.
Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files - one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.
From here, there are three available outcomes:
- After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up - click it.
- If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
- Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
- After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
- The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although by pressing Add folder at the bottom, you can also do it.
- Press Decrypt.
- "Decrypted!" will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully - they are now usable again.
- "Error: Unable to decrypt a file with ID:" means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
- "This ID appears to be an online ID; decryption is impossible" - you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Is it possible to remove the infection?
Even the discount offers and test decryption claims shouldn't encourage you to pay for the criminals.
Hoop is a sophisticated threat, so many changes on the machine can ensure persistence. The sooner you get rid of it, the better. Anti-malware tools are created for this purpose, so choosing the AV application is the best solution.
The attackers do not care about your files, so the virus can be set to delete any backup of the data to make it impossible to get your files back. They also generate other processes that affect the machine significantly. You need to deal with this situation yourself, but there are helpful tools that find the malware.
Allowing the tool to remove all pieces of malware can disable Hoop and its processes, so anything malicious cannot be loaded and launched. Then, your files can be recovered properly, and there is no danger of getting files encrypted again. If you load backups or copies of files on the machine where the threat is still active, you can suffer from double encryption and permanent data loss.
The answer strongly depends on your personal circumstances and is different for every individual! For example, if you have previously prepared backups, all that needs to be done is remove malware from the system. Then you can load backups of files and replace affected pieces. Make sure security software has been updated before scanning it, so nothing slips through the cracks.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
File recovery options for .Hoop encoded data
Since many users do not prepare proper data backups before being attacked by ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently.
Paying criminals is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool. Another option is data recovery tools. However, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:
Install data recovery software
When Hoop ransomware is active on a device, the system can become damaged significantly in addition to direct file encoding. The damage includes major OS malfunctions that will lead to your computer breaking down and not working at all.
If you don't take care of this virus, then it could very well destroy any data stored within the infected PC's memory space or even delete an entire drive. There are no other options for cleaning up malware; if you put restored files back onto a contaminated machine – there isn't much hope left because once one infection has been found, chances are high others lurk nearby.
Be sure to eliminate every bit of unwanted code from your precious hard disk before trying again to restore important pieces. But also remember about system issues caused by the infection. Once you eliminate the ransomware and all the Hoop pieces, repair the machine fully.
We highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it can also remove malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application can also fix various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.
Do not ignore these important steps, and make sure to rely on helpful tools. Everyday users rarely are capable of fixing these issues created by the cryptovirus infection, so it is important to learn about the infection you are dealing with and take the needed steps to fight it. Encryption is a serious issue, but your computer can become useless if you do not remove the infection.
Some virus changes keep you from running tools like or , so you might want to use additional help like Safe Mode. The following instructions can help enter the safe environment and run the AV tool, so the machine can get cleaned and your files later on - restored properly. Double-check before adding safe files to your computer.
- Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it - use a USB flash drive or another storage.
- Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.
- Download .
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
- Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered.
- Press Next.
- At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
- Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
- You can now pick which folders/files to recover - don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
- Press Recover to retrieve your files.
- Download the application by clicking on the link above
- Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
- If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
- Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
- The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
- Once complete, check the results - they will be listed in the Summary
- You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like Hoop ransomware together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .hoop and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Questions about Hoop ransomware
How do I open .hoop files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .hoop has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
Should I pay the ransom in _readme.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from _readme.txt and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
Is there a free Hoop ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Hoop ransomware no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "Hoop ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did Hoop ransomware get on my computer?
The way Hoop ransomware spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened. On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password.
Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .hoop and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Did Hoop ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Hoop ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .hoop and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Is Hoop ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Should I open _readme.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text _readme.txt cannot harm the PC. Be careful with notes in HTA or HTML format: double-clicking those runs them in a window that can contain scripts, so right-click and choose Open with > Notepad instead.
The note tells you the contact addresses, the claimed amount and the deadline. Do not visit links or write to the addresses from this PC. Use the note to identify the family and check for a free decryptor first.
My files got .hoop overnight. What happened?
Ransomware often runs at night or when the PC is idle, so the encryption finishes before anyone notices. It usually entered earlier through a cracked program, a fake installer, an e-mail attachment or remote desktop with a weak password.
The .hoop extension marks every file it reached. Start by disconnecting the PC from the network, then identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check for a decryptor, and look for copies in backups and OneDrive before you consider anything else.
Will Fortect remove Hoop ransomware?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Hoop ransomware, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Senzavirus: Senzavirus (read October 6, 2026)
- VirusTotal: analysis of a Hoop ransomware sample (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)