JoeGo ransomware (Removal Instructions) - Decryption Steps Included

JoeGo virus Removal Guide

What is JoeGo ransomware?

JoeGo ransomware is the cryptovirus that locks users' files and demands a ransom of 0.05 Bitcoin

JoeGo ransomwareJoeGo ransomware is the cryptovirus that makes files useless after the encryption and marks them using .LOCKED appendix. JoeGo ransomware is the cyber threat that categorizes as crypto malware because it uses the AES encryption algorithm and makes files useless.[1] Then all this encoded data gets .LOCKED file extension and ransom demanding message appear on the system. Since this is a threat that focuses on Czech-speaking users the note gets displayed in the file named precist.html that means read in the Czech language. The message delivered on the program window informs victims about the whole encryption process and gives further instructions. Developers claim that you need to get their decryption tool to recover encoded files and you have 96 hours to make the cryptocurrency transfer.

The HTML window has the payment system included, and JoeGo ransomware virus developers say that nobody can decrypt the encoded data besides them. However, contacting these people and paying the ransom can lead to money or even permanent data loss. We don't recommend paying because often cybercriminals disappear after the money transfer and your files, unfortunately, remain encrypted and useless.[2]

Name JoeGo ransomware
Type Cryptovirus
Symptoms Locks photos, documents, videos, and archives. Then marks encrypted files and demands to pay up for the file recovery.
File marker .LOCKED
Ransom amount 0.05 BTC
Encryption algorithm AES encryption
Targeted people Czech-speaking users
Distribution Spam email attachments with infected files
Elimination tips Use FortectIntego or a similar anti-malware program and remove JoeGo ransomware from the machine completely

Since JoeGo ransomware virus belongs to a cryptovirus category, it is one of the most dangerous cyber threats. Malware in this category often targets huge companies, industries, and governments to gain profit.[3] You should note that the primary purpose of such malware is to get money from victims and don't even consider trusting people behind the virus and pay the ransom.

This JoeGo ransomware mainly targets Czech-speaking users, but it also spreads around the world uninterrupted. The first thing the virus does on the infected system is checking if the machine was encrypted before. If not, the army-grade encryption algorithm gets used in the file-locking process and when data gets .LOCKED markers the ransom note gets delivered on the screen.

JoeGo ransomware ransom note is displayed in precist.html and reads the following (translation):

Your files have been encrypted! —————- Time left 95:53:03 —————- What happened to my files? Your documents, photos, music, movies and many other files have been encrypted. By clicking the ” View list of encrypted files ” button , you can view the files that I encrypted to you. These files can only be recovered if you follow the procedure below. [View list of encrypted files ]

How can I recover my files?
Your data has been encrypted with a unique key using the powerful AES encryption algorithm. This unique key was encrypted using a public key using the RSA algorithm and then stored on your computer.You will need a private key to decrypt your files. This private key is stored on our server. I will give you the private key after paying the financial fee. You have 96 hours of data encryption for payment. If you fail to pay the fee, the private key on the server will be deleted. Then nobody can decrypt your data, you will lose them forever.
How do i proceed?
Your unique ID is 332845.
Transfer the amount of 0.05 BTC using the payment gateway specified below.
Then just wait a while, your files will be decrypted automatically after receiving the required amount.
[Go to payment gateway.]

JoeGo ransomware encrypts various personal files that can be found on the system as commonly used or valuable. Most often ransomware changes the original code of the data that has these extensions:

  • .avi,
  • .bmp,
  • .doc,
  • .jpg,
  • .mp3,
  • .pdf,
  • .txt,
  • .zip,
  • and others.

JoeGo ransomware virus JoeGo ransomware is the virus that falls into crypto-extortion based malware category because it demands payment in cryptocurrency from its victims.

Additionally to encrypted files, JoeGo ransomware changes system preferences and files on various directories and system folders or Windows registry. The virus installs or deletes files to disable some functions or add other processes and keep running on the system without any interruptions.

JoeGo ransomware can even disable security functions or programs on the machine to keep you from eliminating this threat quickly. However, the analysis of the main executable AppSrv.exe[4] shows that there are a handful of AV tools that can detect this virus and remove from the machine.

Since databases of those antivirus tools differ, there are many names that program shows when you try to remove JoeGo ransomware:

  • TR/FileCoder.skjgy;
  • Ransom.JoeGo;
  • Trojan.GenericKD.41199348;
  • Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Encoder.caq;
  • W32.Malware.Gen;
  • Trojan.Encoder.27830.

Choose a proper anti-malware program for the automatic JoeGo ransomware removal and scan the machine thoroughly. Tools like FortectIntego can check the system fully and find potential threats, remove them and improve the performance of your PC entirely.

Hackers exploit system vulnerabilities and use infected files to spread ransomware

Email spam campaigns are one of the more common malware distributing techniques used by many different cybercriminals. Malicious files get attached to the safe-looking emails and delivered to users all over the world. One click on the document or hyperlink included in the notification and the system gets infected with the direct malware payload.

These emails often appear as sent from legitimate source and files in the form of PDFs or documents seem genuine and safe. Unfortunately, downloading and opening the attachment triggers malicious macros and loads malicious script on the targeted PC.

Besides this method, ransomware also uses exploits, botnets, and system vulnerabilities to breakthrough and affect the system with malicious scripts. Keeping the anti-malware program can help avoid these infections if you run a system scan more frequently.

Terminate JoeGo ransomware and ensure the thorough system cleaning

For the proper JoeGo ransomware virus elimination, you should pay more attention to your software choices and sources where you the anti-malware or any other tools. Getting a reliable tool from the official provider is crucial for the best results.

You can remove JoeGo ransomware completely with professional anti-malware tools like FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes. Make sure to get the tool from a reputable source and scan the machine thoroughly.

After the completed JoeGo ransomware removal, you can check the system, clean possible virus damage and then recover your files. The best solution for encoded files can be the file backups, but many users need alternatives. For that, we have a few software suggestions down below.

Offer
do it now!
Download
Fortect Happiness
Guarantee
Download
Intego Happiness
Guarantee
Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
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 JoeGo virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Try rebooting the machine in Safe Mode with Networking before scanning the machine with AV tools for JoeGo ransomware removal

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 JoeGo using System Restore

System Restore is the feature that can also be useful when ransomware affects the machine

  • 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 JoeGo. 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 JoeGo removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

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

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

Use Data Recovery Pro for the file recovery process

When JoeGo ransomware encrypts your data, but you cannot recover those files because you have no backups, you need an alternative. Data Recovery Pro is one of the alternatives

  • 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 JoeGo ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions is another feature helpful with encrypted files

Try System Restore and then Windows Previous Versions can be helpful in file restoring

  • 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”.

ShadowExplorer is the method that can be used to recover your data

You need to makes sure that Shadow Volume Copies were left untouched before employing ShadowExplorer

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Decryption tool is not available

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

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Jake Doevan
Jake Doevan - Computer technology expert

If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.

Contact Jake Doevan
About the company Esolutions

References