Ooss Ransomware

Ooss Ransomware is not a threat that you can erase and forget about if you do not back up files on your computer. This malicious application enters systems to encrypt private victims’ files to lock them or, in other words, make them unusable. Deleting the malware does not unlock files as the only way to do that is to decipher them with special decryption tools. The hackers behind the malware claim to have them and promise to send them to users who pay ransom, but there are no guarantees that they will bother to do so. Therefore, whatever you decide to do, there is a chance that you might never restore your precious files if you come across Ooss Ransomware. To learn more about it as well as how to erase it, we invite you to read our article and check the instructions available at the end of the text.

If you want to avoid Ooss Ransomware and threats alike, you should know how hackers spread them. Usually, they disguise malicious installers to make them look like text files or pictures, so that users would not suspect them. In other words, most ransomware victims get tricked into launching such malware. Therefore, we recommend being careful will all files from the Internet, even if they do not seem to be dangerous. It is best to scan files coming from spam emails, unknown senders, unreliable file-sharing sites, and other untrustworthy sources with a reliable antimalware tool before opening them. Of course, the safest thing to do would be not to interact with doubtful content at all and not to visit sites that could be offering it.

Ooss Ransomware will not start encrypting files before it settles in. Our researchers say that the malicious application does it by creating executable files in randomly named folders that it places in the %LOCALAPPDATA% and %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data directories. Also, the malware might create a task in the %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks directory to make an infected device launch the threat daily or weekly. After the threat settles in, it should identify its targeted files, for example, pictures, photos, various documents, archives, videos, music files, etc. Then, the malicious application should start encrypting them one by one. Each file that gets locked should be marked with the threat’s extension called .ooss, for example, picture.jpg.ooss. Next, the malware should announce about itself by opening a text file called _readme.txt. The message inside of it should say that all files were encrypted and can only be restored with the Ooss Ransomware creators’ assistance.

Moreover, the malware’s ransom note ought to say that users who wish to get decryption tools to decipher their files should pay $490 or $980 if they fail to contact the hackers within 72 hours. To provide proof that the offered decryption tools exist, cybercriminals suggest sending one file for free decryption. Keep in mind that even if they can prove that they have the decryption tools, it does not mean that they will necessarily deliver them. Once the money reaches hackers, they can either send you the promised decryption tools or not. After all, it would be impossible to take your money back. Thus, we recommend thinking carefully if it would be a good idea to trust Ooss Ransomware’s developers and risk losing your money in vain.

No matter what you decide to do about the hackers’ proposal, we recommend erasing Ooss Ransomware because if it stays on your system, it could pose a threat to your future files. If you decide to erase it, you should know that there are two ways to get rid of it. First, you could try to remove this malware manually. The instructions below this paragraph explain this process step by step, so feel free to use them if you need any help. On the other hand, if deleting Ooss Ransomware manually is too difficult, we advise getting a reliable antimalware tool that could erase this threat and clean your system for you.

Restart your system in Safe Mode with Networking

Windows 8/Windows 10

1. Tap Win+I for Windows 8 or open the Start menu for Windows 10.
2. Click the Power button
3. Press and hold the Shift key and click Restart.
4. Choose Troubleshoot and pick Advanced Options.
5. Select Startup Settings and click Restart.
6. Press the F5 key and restart the PC.

Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7

1. Go to Start, pick Shutdown options and click Restart.
2. Press and hold the F8 key when the computer starts restarting.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from Advanced Boot Options window.
4. Click Enter and log on to the computer.

Remove Ooss Ransomware

1. Press Win+E.
2. Check these directories:
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %TEMP%
3. Search for the malware’s installer, right-click the threat’s launcher and press Delete.
4. Go to:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
5. Find randomly named folders, for example, 7v7mk177-32c4-679d-7f16-7e28ac2d8th2, right-click them and press Delete.
6. Find and right-click files called _readme.txt and select Delete.
7. Go to C:\SystemID
8. Locate a file called PersonalID.txt, right-click it, and select Delete.
9. Find this path: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
10. Check if there is a task named Time Trigger Task.
11. If you see it, right-click it and press Delete.
12. Exit File Explorer.
13. Press Win+R.
14. Type Regedit and press Enter.
15. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
16. Look for a value name created by the malware, for example, SysHelper.
17. Right-click the threat’s value name and choose Delete.
18. Exit Registry Editor.
19. Empty Recycle Bin.
20. Restart the computer.