Koti Ransomware

If Koti Ransomware enters your system, you might notice it only after it encrypts all your personal files. Like many other ransomware applications, the threat was programmed to encrypt files to take them as hostages. As you see, it is possible to decrypt enciphered files if you have the right decryption tools. Of course, the malicious application’s developers offer them in exchange for money. We always recommend against paying ransom because there are no guarantees that hackers will keep up with their promise to send the needed decryption tools. If they do not, the money paid for decryption tools could be lost in vain. If you want to learn more about the malware before deciding what to do, we encourage you to keep reading this article. Below the article you can find our deletion instructions that show how you could delete Koti Ransomware manually. We recommend removing it because keeping it could put your future data at risk.

At first, we ought to explain how users might receive Koti Ransomware. Such threats can enter a system not only without a user’s permission but also by tricking him into launching it himself without realizing it. Usually, hackers disguise installers of such malicious applications as text files, pictures, or other files that would not raise suspicion. Next, they distribute such data through emails or other kinds of messages, malicious file-sharing web pages or pop-ups, and so on. Thus, to avoid such threats users, must be extra attentive when surfing the Internet or receiving messages. Any data that comes from unreliable sources or is not expected should be either checked with a reputable antimalware tool or ignored. Of course, to avoid encountering files that could be malicious installers, it is advisable to stay away from doubtful web pages too. For extra protection, it would be smart to pick a legitimate antimalware tool.

Provided that Koti Ransomware gets launched, the malware might settle in by creating data that is listed in our deletion instructions available at the end of this article. Once this process is over, the malware should look for personal files like photos and various documents that it could encrypt. If you want to be sure that your files were encrypted by this threat, you should have a look at their full names. As you see, files affected by Koti Ransomware should have a second extension called .koti. For example, a file titled flowers.jpg would become flowers.jpg.koti. The next thing that the malicious application ought to do is create a ransom note. It should be available on a text file called _readme.txt. After opening it users should see a message saying them not to worry. The rest of it ought to explain that victims can restore their files by paying a ransom.

Moreover, the ransom note ought to propose to get a 50 percent discount by contacting hackers within 72 hours. Also, they may offer decrypting one singe file free of charge. Keep it in mind that this would only prove that Koti Ransomware’s creators have the decryption tools that you need for now. In other words, it does not prove that they will send them to you or that they will still have them after some time goes by. In short, there are no reassurances that you will get what you are asked to pay for. Therefore, we advise thinking carefully if you want to deal with the hackers behind this malware. If you do not, we advise forgetting about their offered deal and moving on to the threat’s removal. Our researchers say that it is safer to eliminate Koti Ransomware because it might restart with the operating system and, possibly, start encrypting files that could be new and not enciphered yet.

Koti Ransomware can be erased in a couple of ways. For instance, users could try to delete all files associated with the malicious application manually. What you should know about this option is that there are no guarantees that you will be able to find and remove all the threat’s files. Still, if you want to try it, you could follow the instructions available below this paragraph. A safer option to delete Koti Ransomware is to get a reliable antimalware tool and scan your computer with it. After a full system scan you should be able to remove the ransomware and other identified issues together.

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 to 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 Koti 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 your device.