Do you know what Koko Ransomware is?
Koko Ransomware is an infection, and if you do not want it to encrypt your personal files, you need to figure out how to secure your Windows operating system against it. First and foremost, you should employ trusted anti-malware software to protect you. Second, you want to update your system and the installed software to ensure that security vulnerabilities do not exist. Finally, you want to keep an eye out for suspicious emails, installers, and phishing scams. Of course, if you have found the malicious threat on your operating system already, you might be more interested in deleting it and also recovering your personal files. If you are in such a situation, and you need to remove Koko Ransomware, please continue reading.
According to our malware experts, Koko Ransomware can encrypt over 850 different types of files. This is quite impressive, and it is pretty clear that the attackers are ready to do some real damage. Unfortunately, all files in %USERPROFILE% and %HOMEDRIVE% directories can be encrypted, and so most (if not all) of your documents, videos, pictures, and other personal files are likely to be encrypted. Once encrypted, the monstrous “.mailto[kokoklock@cock.li].{unique ID}” extension should be added to their names. You can remove this extension by renaming the file, but that is unnecessary. The extension includes an email address that you can use to contact the attackers, as well as a unique ID code that identifies you as a victim. Next to the corrupted files, you should find a file called “{random}-Readme.txt.”
Koko Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
The .TXT file that Koko Ransomware creates is meant to provide you with information and a solution. The message inside states that recovery of your personal files is possible but only if you choose to follow the included instructions. According to them, you need to send the ID code to kokoklock@cock.li or pabpabtab@tuta.io. If you do this, the attackers behind Koko Ransomware will then ask you to pay money for a decryptor, and doing that is a bad idea. Why? Well, first of all, if you send a message to the attackers, they will definitely know your email address, and they could try to scam you in the future. Second, if you pay the ransom, you are unlikely to obtain anything that would make the decryption of your files possible. Ultimately, we do not recommend taking risks, and you do not need to if backups exist. If they do, you can delete Koko Ransomware and the corrupted files, and then drop the backup copies in their place.
One more unique thing about Koko Ransomware is that it removes itself after the files are encrypted. That being said, we cannot fully predict how this malware would work on every single system, which is why we strongly advise scanning your operating system. Also, you want to delete the file that might have dropped the infection’s launcher. Overall, manual removal of Koko Ransomware does not appear to be completely straightforward, and so it might be better to employ anti-malware software to take care of things. After automatically deleting the infection, this software would also reinforce Windows protection, and so the last thing you would need to take care of is backup. Always remember to backup your personal files.
Remove Koko Ransomware
- Delete all recently downloaded, suspicious files. Check these locations first:
- %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
- %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- %TEMP%
- Delete every single copy of the ransom note file, {random}-Readme.txt.
- Empty Recycle Bin and then quickly install a legitimate malware scanner.
- Perform a full system scan to check for ransomware leftovers.
In non-techie terms:
When Koko Ransomware encrypts personal files, they are locked up for good because a free decryptor does not exist, decrypting files manually is not possible, and the decryptor offered by the attackers is unlikely to be legitimate. Hopefully, you have backups that you can replace the corrupted files with after you delete Koko Ransomware. Although this infection should remove itself automatically after the attack, you want to inspect your operating system because you never know what leftovers could have been left behind. Since you also need to think about your system’s protection, we strongly advise implementing anti-malware software that would simultaneously erase malware and secure the system to prevent new attacks. After you take care of this, replace the corrupted files with backups, and if you do not have backups, remember to create them in the future because they can save you if a new threat attacks or if your device is lost or experiences irreparable damage.