Sopa virus is a threat that aims to profit from victims with scary alerts about false issues
SOPA virus is a dangerous ransomware infection that, similarly to FBI virus or Celas virus, shows an illegal alert. This message claims that Stop Online Piracy Automatic Protection System Organization is going to erase the victim's files if he won't pay for the usage of copyrighted or illegal files that were found on computer.
When infected with SOPA virus, you will also be informed that your computer is now on a Black List of this anti-piracy organization and it will be here until you pay 200 dollars or euros through the Moneypak prepayment system. However, be sure that all these stories about copyrighted materials, child pornography or illegal software are invented and seek only to scare you into giving your money away.
| Name | Sopa virus |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware |
| Tactics | Threat claims that the user did something illegal and now the fine needs to be paid |
| Ransom note | The message appears as the Online Piracy Automatic Protection System security pop-up and all the alleged illegal activities get listed with various authority claims |
| Fine | $200 |
| Malware removal | Perform a full system scan with powerful security software that finds all the associated infections and malware files |
| System fix | Malware can seriously tamper with Windows systems, causing errors, crashes, lag, and other stability issues after it is terminated. To remediate the OS and avoid its reinstallation, we recommend scanning it with the FortectIntego repair tool |
Besides, there is a new thing about this member of Ukash virus group – it may also encrypt all of your files and offer to decrypt them if you pay a fee. Instead of falling for the scam, we highly recommend two things: ignore this misleading alert and remove SOPA virus from your computer!
Note that you may need to restore the system from a backup to make it clean again but there are some special tips that can also be used to remove other issues triggered by the virus below the article. As for the quick solution and threat termination, we recommend getting a tool that is considered an anti-malware tool like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.
SOPA virus can easily get inside the system through its backdoors. Similar to its predecessors, it uses spam email attachments, freeware, and shareware for its secret infiltration. The system becomes locked once the user reboots his computer, so there is no chance you will miss the fact that you are infected with the virus.
In addition, Sopa ransomware displays its forged alert and reports something like that:
Stop Online Piracy Automatic Protection System
Your computer is locked!
If you see a warning.txt or warning screen, it means your IP address was included in S.O.P.A. Black List.
One or more of the following items were made from your PC:
1. Downloading or distributing audio or video files protected by Copyright Law.
2. Downloading or distributing illegal content (child porn, phishing software, etc.)
3. Downloading or distributing Software protected by Copyright Law.
As a result of these infringements based on Stop Online Piracy Act (H.R. 3261) your PC and files are now blocked.You can remove your IP from black list and unlock PC and files by paying a fine of 200 (USA and Canada)/200 EUR (via Western Union to other Countries)
(…)
WARNING!!!: If you don't pay the fine within 72 HOURS at the amount of 200 USD, all your computer data will be erased
Besides, SOPA has been also found to encrypt the files, found on the victim's computer. The interesting part of this is the possibility to decrypt the files by sending the encrypted file to the scammers. This means that we have a deal with really serious ransomware, that must be eliminated without any delay. Paying or contacting these criminals is never recommended. You should follow the guide below, instead.
The malware distribution ways include false claims
Maliciosu files can be distributed using various methods. There are spam email campaigns during which subject lines and even file attachments get listed as important files and details about orders, shipping, different instances. These tactics get used because people tend to open emails from DHL, eBay, FedEx, and other companies without questioning the purpose.
Unfortunately, such notifications also include file attachments with documents that get laced with malicious macros. Once such a document, MS Word, Excel, PDF pieces get downloaded on the computer and opened by the user – the malware payload is dropped. This is how quickly ransomware can get added to the machine.
Termination steps for the Sopa ransomware virus
Some users have reported that they were capable to get on the Internet when they had SOPA virus on their machines. So, if you are also among these people, download SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes and run a full system scan with these programs. You need a security tool to ensure that malware is properly eliminated and no longer running on the machine.
It is not the easiest procedure because you must find the threat on the system and delete all the files related to this infection. Automatic AV tools can do that quickly and surely for you without any hassle. You need to remove Sopa ransomware and make sure to fix the damage that malware can cause. FortectIntego is the tool for PC repair and damage fixing.
If the malware managed to affect your files directly, you have limited solutions for the file restoration because the best option is to recover data using backups of the said files. Make sure to avoid adding any files on the system that is not cleaned from malware yet. Running the AV program before any data recovery is crucial.
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