How to remove OopsLocker ransomware virus

OopsLocker – malware that demands 0.1 Bitcoin after file encryption

OopsLocker is a new variant of recently emerged Oops ransomware virus. Malware employs a combination of AES and RSA cryptography and appends .oops extension to each of the targeted files. According to the ransom note, delivered in the oops.exe file, victims need to pay 0.1 Bitcoin for the decryption.

Usually, the virus arrives on the system with the help of malicious email attachments. When users open obfuscated Word documents and enable macros, ransomware executable is dropped on the system. Then it connects to its Command and Control (C&C) server and downloads new files to the affected system:

• oops.exe– decryption software,
• EncryptedFiles.txt – the list of encrypted files on the targeted computer.

The virus installs these files in a new folder called ProgramData in C disk. Here malware also creates EncryptedKey and KeyHash directories where it installs encrypted decryption key and the map of the encrypted files.

OopsLocker ransomware also sends particular information about the computer to the remote C&C server. This data includes:

• IP address,
• the version of Windows operating system,
• keyboard setup,
• information about computer’s protection and antivirus software.

Then malware settles in, it starts scanning the system looking for the targeted file extensions. The crypto-malware aims at more than 40 different files, including MS Office documents, various images, audio, video files, backups, etc. It locks the files with the .oops extension and runs a program window with data recovery options.

In order to decrypt locked files, users have to send an email to only4you@protonmail.com with their computer’s name, Bitcoin address where they have to pay the ransom and attach the “EncryptedKey” file. Then victims have to pay 0,1 Bitcoin in a week. Otherwise, the size of the ransom will double every single week.

However, following these instructions may not lead to data recovery. You might just waste more than $200 and sponsor further crook’s projects. There are many cases when cybercriminals did not keep their word and did not provide decryption tools after the payment.^[1] Thus, we highly recommend spending your money on professional software that will help to remove OopsLocker from the device.

Only security software can assure safe and effective ransomware elimination. Trying to locate and delete all malicious files from the system might not end up good. Crypto-malware might affect legitimate processes or use names of real system files, so you can accidentally delete the wrong files. To avoid bigger damage, you should perform virus removal with SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or another malware removal program.

Malware enters the device with the help of obfuscated Word file

The main distribution method of ransomware is malicious spam emails. The executable of crypto-malware is camouflaged and attached to an email as a regular Word file. However, this file has malicious macro commands.

When a user opens this document, he or she receives an alert to enable macros to see the provided content. When a person does that, malicious commands are launched, and malware enters the system.

Keep in mind that dangerous letters might look like ordinary emails sent from governmental organizations, delivery services, or popular online shops, such as Amazon. However, before clicking provided documents, you have to make sure that it’s not a phishing email.^[2]

However, security experts from No Virus^[3] point out that crooks are getting better and better in social engineering. Thus, you should also be critical. If you do not expect to receive a statement from a bank or haven’t ordered any parcel, you should delete such emails immediately without checking what hides inside.

Withdrawal of the OopsLocker virus

As we have mentioned earlier, OopsLocker removal is achieved with the help of security software. We recommend to our readers to use SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to terminate the virus safely from the system. Also, FortectIntego can be used to fix virus damage and remediate Windows so it would run properly, without errors, afterward.

Ransomware might not allow the installation of security software or prevent it from installing or running it. If you have encountered one of these problems, you should check our instructions below. They will explain how to activate antivirus and remove malware automatically.