Noos Ransomware is the 169th Variant of the infamous STOP/Djvu Ransomware. This brand-new DJVU strain is currently posing a great threat to the computer users around the world. Just like its variants, Noos Virus uses multiple channels to propagate its infection such as Spam E-mail Campaigns, malvertising & fake software updaters.
The novel Noos File Virus has been designed with strong financial motives.
The evident sign of .Noos Ransomware infection are –
Once the targeted file extensions are encrypted, they are instantly made unusable. Users are prevented from accessing/opening the files.
Noos Ransomware uses highly-complex encryption algorithms such as AES & RSA Cryptography for encrypting the files & rendering them inaccessible.
It then drops a ransom-demanding note on the victims’ desktop, which suggests the victims to pay the ransom amount to decrypt the encrypted data. The hackers demand hefty ransom amount in exchange of the decryption software & unique key.
While the hackers promise to share the decryption tool after receiving ransom, cyber-security analysts suggest avoid contacting the hackers. Most of the victims who pay the ransom do not receive any response from the hackers.
You might wonder what the possible ways to decrypt .Noos files are & how to remove Noos virus Ransomware from the system.
Read on our detailed guide to know-
Name | Noos |
Type | Ransomware |
Category | Malware |
Targeted OS | Windows |
Symptoms | It infects your system with the motive to encrypt system & user files. After successful encryption, it drops a ransom note that asks victims to pay hefty ransom amount in exchange of the decryption key. |
Damage | Encrypted files are inaccessible. Additionally, Noos Ransomware may increase the malicious payload in your system. |
Removal | Download Removal Tool |
Noos Ransomware is the brand-new member of the gigantic DJVU Ransomware family. This file encrypting virus is primarily targeting Windows based systems around the world. Spam E-mail campaigns, malware-laden fake software updaters & malvertising are some of the spread techniques used by this file-locker to propagate.
.Noos File Virus, surprisingly, is the 169th member of the nasty DJVU Ransomware clan. No wonder cyber-security researchers have declared Djvu Ransomware as the most destructive & wide-spread data locker virus till date.
Some of the variants of STOP/Djvu Ransomware are Mbed, Moresa, Redmat,, ERIS, Gehad& Seto.
Just like its siblings, Noos Ransomware does not require any manual help to get installed on the system. Once installed, Noos searches for the targeted file extensions. When found, it encrypts the files using complex Cryptography Algorithms – AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) & RAS (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman). Encrypted files are instantly made inaccessible to the users and appended with .Noos extension.
Let us understand the encryption with the help of an example:
A file named myimage.png might be renamed as “myimage.png.noos” after successful encryption.
Noos Ransomware is capable of intruding Windows based systems & encrypting a myriad of user & system file extensions.
These include:
1). Document files (.docx, .doc, .odt, .rtf, .text, .pdf, .htm, .ppt)
2). Audio Files (.mp3, .aif, .iff, .m3u, .m4u, .mid, .mpa, .wma, .ra, .avi, .mov, .mp4)
3). Video Files (.3gp, .mpeg, .3g2, .asf, .asx, .flv, .mpg, .wmv, .vob)
4). Images (.jpg, .jpeg, .raw, .tif, .gif, .png)
5). Backup Files (.bck, .bckp, .tmp, .gho)
After encrypting the targeted file extensions, the nasty Noos Ransomware drops a ransom-demanding note on the victim’s desktop & in folders that contain .Noos files.
The ransom note is in a text format and named _readme.txt. It contains lengthy instructions from the cyber-crooks such as:
The ransom note suggests the victims to contact the hackers & pay the ransom to get the files decrypted. It assures the decryption of encrypted files with the help of a private unique key that is stored on hacker’s server.
The victims require paying a ransom of $490-$980 (in Bitcoins) to purchase unique private key & decryption software.
In case the victims manages to contact the hackers within 72 hours of encryption, the hackers will grant 50% rebate of the ransom amount i.e., $490. Else, the hackers double the ransom amount i.e., $980 (in Bitcoins).
In order to guarantee the recovery of files, the hackers offer to decrypt one file for free. The victims are asked to send one encrypted file to the hackers on their e-mail. The decrypted file will be sent back to the victims.
To get the details of the payment & method, victims are asked to contact hacker’s on the given e-mail addresses such as gerentoshelp@firemail.cc or gorentos@bitmessage.ch.
Despite the claims of decryption, cyber-security analysts advise not making any payment to the hackers. The analysis has shown that most of the victims do not receive the promised decryption tool after paying ransom.
By contacting hackers & paying the ransom, a victim not only loses hard-earned money, but also loses the data permanently. Also, it encourages the hackers to distribute the infection & swindle innocent users.
We suggest demolishing any encouragement to contact the hackers & paying the ransom. Instead, act smart & do not let hackers extort your hard-earned money.
You can remove Noos Ransomware from the system & restore the files from a backup, if any.
The cybercriminals use various strategies for malware distribution which include –
To restart the system to Safe Mode with Networking, if already switched ON then follow the below steps:
5 Once the system restarts, click on the username and enter the password (if any) to log in.
Once the system starts, ensure to use an account with administrative privilege to access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
After the user enters admin credentials, Command prompt window is displayed wherein you are entitled to enter the below commands:
For Windows 7
OR
OR
Continue to follow steps 4 & 5 of Method 2 to restore the System Files and settings.
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