Stop Ransomware

Stop Ransomware is a malicious threat you do not want to encounter since it could ruin all your private files located on the computer. As the malware’s developers claim themselves in the ransom note, the threat leaves behind; it can lock files with a secure RSA-1024 encryption algorithm. Consequently, the affected data becomes useless without decryption software, which is unfortunately in possession of infection’s creators. As usual, they offer to sell the tools for a particular price, but sadly the chances are the hackers may not provide them to you even if you transfer the required sum. On the contrary, seeing you are willing to pay, they may try to extort more money from you, and so on. Thus, if you came across this malware, it would be smarter to recover locked files with backup copies instead of purchasing tools you might never receive. Naturally, before placing new data on the computer, it might be safer to erase Stop Ransomware, and if you choose to do so, we can help you with this task via the instructions we will place at the end of the article.

In the rest of this text we would like to talk more about the malware’s working manner and the methods its developers could use to distribute it. Probably, it would be best to start by explaining how Stop Ransomware might appear on your system. So far there are no reports saying how the threat precisely sneaks in, but from our experience with threats alike, there are a few possible distribution methods we could list. First of all, the malicious program may come disguised as a harmless email attachment, for example, it might look like a Microsoft Word or PDF document. To convince the user open it the text next to it could claim the file is of high importance and must be opened right away. Also, some hackers think of unusual names that might make the user curious about opening the attached file. Needless to say, knowing this you should be extra careful with any data received via Spam emails or from people you are not familiar with. In addition, we suggest staying away from possibly malicious web pages, sites offering pirated software, doubtful pop-up ads, and other content that could carry the infection or lead you to sites containing malware.

The first sign the computer is infected with Stop Ransomware is .STOP extension’s appearance at the end of your files’ names, for example, a document called ticket.pdf could turn into ticket.pdf.STOP, a picture named sunflower.jpg might turn into sunflower.jpg.STOP, and so on. Next, the malicious program is supposed to place a text document containing a message from the malware’s developers or a ransom note. Such a file could appear on your Desktop, or any other folder containing encrypted files (data with .STOP extension). The note should say “All your important files were encrypted on this PC.” Moreover, a few lines below the user should see a sentence saying “To decrypt your files, you need to obtain a private key + decrypt software.” Then the note mentions the user would have to pay a ransom of $600 for decryption, but for further instructions, the Stop Ransomware’s message asks to contact the hackers through given email addresses.

Furthermore, there is even a suggestion saying you could send up to 3 small files of no importance for free decryption. This way the malware’s developers most likely seek to convince their victims to pay the ransom. However, you should realize, even if the victim transfers the requested sum as instructed no one can still promise the malicious program’s creators will be willing to send the needed decryption tools. Consequently, for those who do not want to take any chances, we would recommend removing this infection with no hesitation. To get rid of Stop Ransomware faster you could use the deletion instructions we placed at the end of this article or acquire a trustworthy antimalware tool and let it deal with this infection for you.

Remove Stop Ransomware

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Go to the Task Manager.
3. Find the malware’s process.
4. Mark this process and click End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Tap Win+E.
7. Navigate to:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
8. See if you can find the malicious file you opened before the threat appeared.
9. Right-click the suspicious file and press Delete.
10. Then locate the ransom note, right-click it and click Delete.
11. Close File Explorer.
12. Empty Recycle bin.