Advanced removal guide for Stone ransomware (STOP)

Stone ransomware – a Djvu virus variant which places payment instructions in the _readme.txt file

Stone ransomware is another new variant of Djvu (STOP) ransomware that uses the _readme.txt message for informing victims about secret encryption and ransom demands. The cyber threat modifies files' names with the .stone appendix that appears next to each doc, jpg, pdf, or another type of encrypted component. For example, if you have a tree.jpg file, after successful encryption, it is modified to tree.jpg.stone. As a solution for data recovery purposes, the crooks offer a 50% discount from the $980 ransom price if victims contact them in three days. Stoneland@firemail.cc and gorentos@bitmessage.cc are the email addresses of ransomware developers to which the affected user is urged to answer.

Stone virus gives particular commands that need to be followed in order to receive the decryption tool and paying the demanded ransom price ($980 or $490) is one of them. We advise all users to be aware of these cybercriminals and decline all ransom-related offers as there is a big risk of getting scammed and facing monetary losses.

Stone ransomware might be a complex threat as it can include different types of modules which launch malicious activities on the user's computer system. For example, it runs an AES^[1] or RSA cipher and starts encrypting all personal files that are found on the targeted system by making them hardly decryptable for the victims.

Furthermore, Stone ransomware can insert malicious executables that launch the cyber threat after each system boot. Additionally, these types of threats might bring fake security certificates that allow them to bypass system security and safely install on the machine. Such type of activity is a big threat to your computer as some antimalware/antivirus tools might not be able to prevent secret infiltration of the ransomware virus.

According to the _readme.txt text file, Stone ransomware developers try to convince users to transfer the demanded payment by offering to show the true existence of the ransomware virus decryption tool. As a solution, crooks suggest sending them one small file/document for free recovery via their email addresses:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry my friend, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-4Orti6OnRT
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
stoneland@firemail.cc

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch

Our Telegram account:
@datarestore

Your personal ID:

–

Stone ransomware removal should be completed immediately after you detect it on your computer system. Furthermore, we recommend using a tool such as FortectIntego for detecting all possibly-infected locations on the machine. Make sure to capture all malware-based content, otherwise, if you leave some malicious executables, the ransomware virus might reboot itself within the next time when the user turns on the computer.

Remove Stone ransomware and try out some data recovery solutions for restoring encrypted documents/files. Take a look at the end of the article and you will find all possible methods. Furthermore, make sure that you take good care of personal files and various important documents in the upcoming future. Use USB devices^[2] or remote servers for storing these files and keeping them out of reach from bad actors.

Distribution sources of ransomware threats

If you have ever suffered from a ransomware attack, you probably have permitted a dubious installation of some type of file or visited a third-party source from which the malware appeared. Mostly, ransomware viruses are capable of spreading via email spam and suspicious attachments that crooks clip to the email message.

Our suggestion would be to avoid opening any questionable-looking emails and especially their attached files. Furthermore, you can decrease the risk of secret ransomware infiltration by preventing yourself from visiting online-gaming or movie watching sources which are provided by third-parties and lack required protection.

Furthermore, it is a very great idea to have a reputable antimalware/antivirus program that will ensure safe computing work all the time. Make sure that your antivirus software includes a wide range of features such as threat protection, ensuring safe browsing, preventing stealth installations, optimizing the system, and so on.

Stone ransomware removal guidelines for Windows users

Stone ransomware removal is a very responsible process to carry out. You should not try to eliminate the cyber threat on your own, as you might make mistakes which can cause severe machine damage. Our suggestion would be to track all malicious components with software such as FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes before terminating them from the system.

After you remove Stone virus, you have to make sure that such malware attack will not appear in the future. According to Virusai.lt experts,^[3] to decrease the risk of another ransomware infection, you need to take all precautionary measures seriously. For your data and file safety, we recommend storing copies of important documents on remote servers and devices.