Nakw Ransomware

Nakw Ransomware is a silent killer, in a sense that it is likely to slither into your operating system without your notice and then silently encrypt all of your personal files before you even gather that you need to do something. Unfortunately, once files are encrypted, it is too late to do anything about encryption. It is done, and it is final. Is it not possible to decrypt files? In theory, that should be possible, but we really cannot know whether or not you will be able to restore them. For one, a free decryptor capable of cracking this infection’s encryptor did not exist at the time of research. Since this malware belongs to the STOP Ransomware family, the STOP Decryptor might work in the future, but it did not work when we analyzed the infection. A few other infections that come from the same family are Toec Ransomware, Nols Ransomware, Noos Ransomware, and Boot Ransomware. There are hundreds more. Therefore, after you remove Nakw Ransomware, you need to secure your system because you could soon face a new threat.

According to our researchers, it is likely that Nakw Ransomware slithered in when you opened a spam email attachment or downloaded a new, unfamiliar program. The first sign of this malware usually is a fake Windows update pop-up that shows up and suggests that an update is being configured. This is likely to distract the user from the encryption process happening in the background. To make matters worse, Nakw Ransomware disables the Task Manager to ensure that you cannot open the tool and check for any unfamiliar processes running. Needless to say, if the infection is not deleted quickly, files are encrypted, which renders them unreadable. The “.nakw” extension is meant to be added to the original filenames, and this is the element that should help you identify the corrupted files just by looking at them. Along with the encrypted files, a file named “_readme.txt” should appear. This, arguably, is the most important file because it delivers a message that includes ransom payment instructions. If you have not figured it out already, the ransomware was created to extort money from you.

The message delivered by Nakw Ransomware is meant to convince you to pay a ransom of $490 in return for a decryption tool. The method of payment is revealed – you are supposed to pay it in Bitcoin – but you cannot make the payment because not all necessary information is provided. To obtain it, you are instructed to email salesrestoresoftware@firemail.cc or salesrestoresoftware@gmail.com. Do not do this, unless you want to have your inbox flooded with misleading emails, or if you are 100% sure that you want to pay the ransom. It is unlikely that anyone will be 100% sure about this because, for one, no one can guarantee that you would get anything in return for your money. Second, you cannot know if decryption is even possible. If you believe cybercriminals just because they can successfully encrypt one file for free, you are being naive. Of course, if you can use a free decryptor, or if you have backups to replace the corrupted files, you do not need to pay any attention to the demands introduced to you by cybercriminals at all.

Whether you restore your files, replace them with backups, or lose them completely, you must delete Nakw Ransomware from your operating system. The removal process consists of two different stages, and if you can get past the first one, the second stage should be a piece of cake. This first stage involves you locating and deleting the ransomware launcher. Since its name is random and cybercriminals could drop it anywhere, depending on the method they use, we cannot help you find it, unfortunately. However, if you know exactly where it is, go ahead and follow the instructions below. If you cannot find and remove Nakw Ransomware launcher yourself, it is a good idea to install a legitimate anti-malware program. It will automatically erase the infection and all of its components. Furthermore, it will strengthen Windows protection to keep other threats away too, and so this is the best option you’ve got. Of course, since no software can guarantee 100% protection, you always want to backup files to have a plan B just in case.

Nakw Ransomware Removal

1. Locate the launcher file, right-click it, and choose Delete.
2. Launch Explorer (tap Win+E keys) and enter %HOMEDRIVE% into the bar at the top.
3. Right-click and Delete the ransom note file named _readme.txt.
4. Right-click and Delete the folder named SystemID.
5. Enter %LOCALAPPDATA% into the bar at the top.
6. Right-click and Delete the [random name] folder containing ransomware files.
7. Empty Recycle Bin and then perform a full system scan with the help of a legitimate malware scanner.