Do you know what Msop Ransomware is?
Did you accidentally let Msop Ransomware in by opening a misleading email attachment or executing and unreliable software bundle? Unfortunately, in most cases, file-encrypting infections are let into the operating system by their owners, and that is because the cybercriminals who create them know how to trick people. Well, if you let this malware in, it encrypts files, and you might be unable to recover them. The encryption algorithm is complex, and even though there are plenty of free decryptors available, at the time of research, not a single one of them managed to restore the corrupted files. We hope that you have replacements for the corrupted files and that you can remove Msop Ransomware without any hesitation. Continue reading to learn more.
It is pretty clear that Msop Ransomware comes from the STOP Ransomware family, just like Zobm Ransomware, Grod Ransomware, Mbed Ransomware, Nakw Ransomware, and other malicious threats. They are all pretty much identical, and if you compare the new variant with Zobm Ransomware, the only difference can be seen in the extension that is added to the corrupted files. You should have found the “.msop” extension appended to personal photos and documents, and even if you can remove this extension, your files will remain unreadable. A free STOP Decryptor exists, but it decrypts files that are corrupted using an offline key, and the Msop variant was not decryptable at the time of research at all. Of course, by the time you are reading this, the tool could have been updated, and you might want to try it out. What you do not want to do is install a random free decryptor because it could conceal malware.
Msop Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Although the most important task for Msop Ransomware is to corrupt files, it also creates quite a few of them. One file is called “_readme.txt,” and if you open it, you can find a message created by the attackers. They want you to know that files were encrypted, and they also want to convince you that you can pay a ransom of $490 in 72 hours to obtain a decryption tool. We do not suggest taking this route because it is highly unlikely that cybercriminals would give you the decryptor in exchange for your money. If you decide to follow their lead, you will need to email datarestorehelp@firemail.cc or datahelp@iran.ir, and doing that is not a good idea either. As we have discussed already, spam emails can be employed to spread malware, and so you really want to avoid any contact with cybercriminals.
Although there are quite a few components that belong to Msop Ransomware, the most important thing is that you find the launcher of the threat. This launcher could be anywhere, and its name could be completely random too. It could have random letters/numbers, or it could take on the name of a system file. If you cannot locate and delete Msop Ransomware launcher, you will not be able to perform removal manually. The good news is that manual removal is not the only option. You can employ anti-malware software to have the operating system cleaned from threats automatically. This is not the only benefit to using such software. It is most important that it can secure your system and prevent new threats from attacking it. After you get rid of the threat, we hope that you can replace files using backups or restore them using a legitimate and free decryptor.
Remove Msop Ransomware
- Locate and Delete the malicious file that executed the threat.
- Simultaneously tap keys Win+E to access Explorer.
- Enter %HOMEDRIVE% into the quick access bar at the top.
- Delete the file named _readme.txt and the folder named SystemID.
- Enter %LOCALAPPDATA% into the bar (on Windows XP, %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\).
- Delete the folder with a random name that contains ransomware files.
- Enter %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\ into the bar.
- Delete the task named Time Trigger Task.
- Simultaneously tap keys Win+R to access Run.
- Enter regedit into the box and click OK to access Registry Editor.
- Move to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- Delete a value named SysHelper.
- Empty Recycle Bin and install a malware scanner tool you trust to perform a thorough system scan.
In non-techie terms:
You will not know when Msop Ransomware slithers in, but once it does, it can encrypt all personal files, and, unfortunately, full decryption is not guaranteed. The attackers behind the threat want you to think that you can purchase their decryptor for $490, but you cannot know if you would get the tool. There are no guarantees, and when it comes to cybercriminals – they are untrustworthy. On top of that, you could be doing yourself a huge disservice by exposing yourself to the attackers via email. Although the STOP Decryptor existed at the time of research, it was not yet capable of decrypting the files corrupted by the newest family member. Therefore, we hope that you have backups that could replace the corrupted files. Do the replacement after you delete Msop Ransomware from your operating system, which you can do using a trusted anti-malware program or, perhaps, using the guide above.