Foop ransomware removal instructions

Description of Foop ransomware

Foop ransomware is malicious software goal of which is to encrypt all personal files on the infected machine

Foop ransomware is a file locking virus that targets home users and asks them to pay a ransom of $490/$980 for data redemption tool

Foop ransomware is malware that uses a sophisticated encryption method RSA to lock pictures, videos, music, documents, and other files on the targeted Windows computers. Being a variant of the notorious STOP/Djvu family, the virus uses a four-letter extension which is appended to each of the modified files; for example, a “picture.jpg” is turned into “picture.jpg.foop” and can no longer be accessed by its owner.

If you were unlucky enough to get infected with Foop virus, you would also notice a text file on your desktop named _readme.txt, which holds a short message from the ransomware developers. They claim that, due to the “strongest encryption,” users will not be able to access their files, as they need a unique key. However, this Foop ransomware decryptor is not free, as crooks ask to pay $490 (after 72 hours, the price doubles) in Bitcoin. If these requirements are fulfilled, victims are suggested to contact the attackers via helpmanager@firemail.cc or helpmanager@iran.ir emails.

Foop ransomware is the 213th version of the Djvu crypto-locking malware family, so the developers behind it are extremely experienced they began the illegal business as early as December 2017 and up to this day heavily focus on home users. As sad as it can get, this strain is one of the most successful ones, as hundreds of victims get infected each day.

Over time, the malware strain started to become an even bigger concern, prompting more security researchers to invest time into helping the infected. Prior to August 2019, malicious actors used AES cypher for data locking process, while the later versions switched to RSA (Foop file virus belongs to the latter).

This happened because Emsisoft researchers managed to create a decryptor which helped victims to recover data for free. Although all variants released before .coharos one were no longer decryptable. Lucky for some, if the virus used an offline ID to encrypt data, another decryption tool was still able to help. Thus, after you remove Foop ransomware, you should try to use it before proceeding with other recovery methods.

Before we proceed with Foop ransomware removal instructions, let's see how this malware operates.

Foop ransomware distribution methods and ways to prevent the infection

If you are questioning how did you infect your computer with Foop ransomware – it is most likely software cracks or pirated software installers that you downloaded from an insecure website. This attack vector is also one of the reasons why Djvu malware family is so successful – many users rush to torrent, warez, and similar sites to download tools like KMSPico to bypass the licencing process of paid applications.

Unfortunately, many are in complete denial when it comes to cybersecurity – users know that torrent and similar sites are dangerous and often loaded with malware. Even if you do not download the malicious executable yourself, you could be a victim of a drive-by download that is launched by a malicious JavaScript and abuses software vulnerabilities to install malware payload.

Nevertheless, Foop ransomware is typically delivered when users click on .exe, .zip, or another format file. Therefore, it is vital to avoid such practices altogether, as security software cannot determine whether a crack, loader or a keygen is secure – its principle of operation will make the program to mark it as malicious by default (at least in many cases).

Additionally, it is equally as important to protect your system with a sophisticated anti-malware solution that can catch the intrusion in real-time and stop it. Experts also recommend using strong passwords, updating Windows on time, not opening malicious spam email attachments and being overall more aware of online dangers like ransomware.

Foop ransomware is a type of malware that focuses on money extortion after the personal file locking process

Infection and file encryption

Once the main executable is triggered, it will begin the infection process of Foop ransomware. Before that, however, the virus will create a new folder in %AppData%, and then place the main file inside – it can be called virtually as anything – malicious actors sometimes choose names like 8d7c.tmp.exe, c72b.tmp.exe, 1111.exe, update.exe, etc.

Before Foop file virus begins the encryption process, it performs the following changes to the host machine:

• Elevates permissions via the SE_LOAD_DRIVER_PRIVILEGE service;
• Modifies Windows registry database to be able to boot with every Windows launch;
• Deletes all Shadow Volume Copies to prevent an easy recovery;
• Adjusts Windows “hosts” file in order to stop users from visiting websites that would help with Foopr ransomware removal and recovery procedures;
• Installs a data stealing module that would harvest all the information typed in via the web browsers
• Imports, deletes and copies various files, etc.

Once the preparations are complete, Foop ransomware will begin to scan the machine for files to encrypt. Typically, malware targets hundreds of various file types, including .pdf, .doc., .zip, .html, .dat, .jpg, .mp4, .ppt, .mdb, and others. During this time, victims will be displayed a fake pop-up window that looks like a Windows update prompt – this feature reduces the chance of users terminating the encryption process before it is complete.

Each of the files is appended with .foop extension – a typical practice of ransomware infection. Note that the virus will skip most of the executables and system files in order to ensure Windows is still operational. Nevertheless, it does not mean that system files do not get affected – various modifications may render the OS partially broken, even after you get rid of Foop ransomware. To remade this, we recommend using FortectIntego.

After the data locking process, Foop file virus will drop the _readme.txt file which reads:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, 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:
https://we.tl/t-7m8Wr997Sf
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:
helpdatarestore@firemail.cc

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

Your personal ID:

As you can see, malicious actors behind Foop ransomware play friendly people who are willing to help you – this is done purposely in order to make you pay the ransom. However, we advise you not to, as these people cannot be trusted. You might end up scammed and lose not only your files but also the money, so twink twice before considering contacting cybercriminals.

If your files were encrypted with an offline ID, you might be able to recover your them for free using a free decryption tool from Emsisoft

Delete the Foop ransomware infection and attempt to recover your data

After you get infected with the Foop virus and your data is encrypted, reverting the process might not be as easy. Nevertheless, you might be wondering what you should do now? It is not that surprising considering that the vast majority of ransomware victims usually never encountered malware of this type before (they also firmly believe that Foop ransomware removal will also grant access to the encrypted files – these two processes are separate and do not correlate with one another backward).

First of all, you need to check if you have backups of your data – if you do, simply remove Foop ransomware with reputable anti-malware software and then copy it over (remember, this sequence is important, as your recovered files would get encrypted as well otherwise). If no backups were ready, you should first make a copy of the encrypted data and only then terminate the infection. In some cases, you might get lucky, and third-party software might help you, or a free decryption tool for STOP/Djvu might also work for you.