OOPL Virus (.OOPL File) 🔐 Decrypt & Removal Guide

The Oopl virus, also known as a ransomware infection, belongs to the STOP family. This malware is famous for its malicious file encryption capabilities. When the Oopl virus infects a system, it scans the system for files such as photos, videos, documents, and more. It modifies the file structure and adds the “.oopl” extension to each encrypted file, making them unusable without the decryption key.

Oopl Virus Overview

The Oopl virus is a type of malware that ciphers your files and makes you pay for their restoration. This malware encrypts various file types. ciphered files are identifiable by a distinct “.oopl” extension. The affected files become impossible to access and use.

Then, the ransomware asks for a ransom payment in Bitcoin from the victims, which ranges from $490 to $980, depending on the time passed after the attack. Usually, a ransom text file is named as “_readme.txt“.

Oopl Ransomware works with Salsa20 encryption algorithms to cipher the targeted files. Since the Oopl virus employs such a strong encryption method, it becomes incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to pick the decryption key without the assistance of the attackers.

Once Oopl malware finishes the encryption, it shows a ransom note to the victim, asking for a ransom payment for the decryption key. The ransom note contains instructions on how to pay off the bill and also often contains threats of system wipeout or increased ransom amounts if the demands are not met within a specified timeframe.

I have made a comprehensive list of potential solutions, advice, and practices to neutralize the Oopl malware and recover your files. In some cases, you can recover the files, while sometimes, it may be impossible.

Oopl employs a unique key for every victim, with one exception:

The Oopl virus bears resemblance to other DJVU ransomware variants such as Ooza, Hgew, Hgfu, and Hgkd. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.oopl” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.oopl” and “2.png” to “2.png.oopl“.

After successful encryption, the malware creates a special text file named “_readme.txt” and places it in every folder containing the encrypted files. It also adds the readme file to the desktop, so the victim will not miss the attack even without opening folders.

The image below provides a visual representation of files with the “oopl” extension:

Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware

This message asking for payment is for restoring files via decryption key:

_readme.txt (STOP/DJVU Ransomware) – The scary notification demanding users to pay off the ransom to decrypt the encoded data contains these annoying cautions.

Oopl ransomware arrives as a set of procedures that are used to carry out different functions on a victim’s computer. One of the first ones being launched is winupdate.exe, a sneaky process that shows a fraudulent Windows update alert during the attack. That is needed to convince the victim that their PC has become slow because of a Windows update.

Simultaneously, the ransomware runs another process (whose name commonly consists of 4 random characters) which starts scanning the PC for target files and ciphering them. Then the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the system by the following CMD command:

vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet

Once removed, it becomes virtually impossible to retrieve the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The problem is, that ransomware operators are getting rid of any built-in Windows approaches that could help the victim to restore files for free. In addition, the crooks modify the Windows HOSTS file by appending a list of domains to it and mapping them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will see a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to access one of the listed websites.

It has come to our attention that ransomware attempts to restrict websites that developed various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by hindering specific domains, the malefactors are attempting to stop the victim from accessing relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. The virus also stores two .txt files on the victim’s computer that provide attack-related information – the victim’s public encryption key and personal ID. These two files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.

After all these alterations, the malware doesn’t halt. Variants of STOP/DJVU are inclined to release Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat carries an extensive list of capabilities, including:

• Stealing Steam, Telegram, Skype login/password;
• Stealing cryptocurrency wallets;
• Downloading other malware to the computer and running it;
• Stealing browser cookies, saved passwords, browsing history, and more;
• Viewing and manipulating files on victim’s computer;
• Allowing the hackers to perform other tasks on the victim’s computer remotely.

The encryption algorithm in STOP/Djvu ransomware is AES-256. So, if your data got encrypted with an online decryption key, the chances of getting your files back without paying the ransom are quite low. The thing is, the online key is unique for each victim, and picking it will take too much time.

Getting the online key in any other way is also close to impossible. It is stored on a remote server controlled by the hackers who spread the Oopl malware. For receiving decrypting code the payment should be $980. To see the payment details, the victims should contact the hackers by email ([email protected]).

The message by the ransomware states the following information:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like photos, databases, documents, and other important are encrypted with the strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase a decrypt tool and a unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees do you have?

You can send one of your encrypted files from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. The file must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku

The price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount of 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that 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 an answer for more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need to write on our e-mail:

[email protected]

Reserve an e-mail address to contact us:

[email protected]

Your personal ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Do not pay the ransom!

Please, try to use the available backups, or Decrypter tool

_readme.txt file also states that the system owner should contact the hackers’ representatives within 72 hours after the attack. On the condition of getting in touch within 72 hours, hackers grant a 50% discount. Thus the ransom amount will be minimized down to $490.

Yet, stay away from paying the ransom! I strongly recommend that you avoid contacting these fraudsters and do not pay. A highly effective solution to regain the lost data is just using the backups you have, or using the Decrypter tool from Emsisoft.

The distinctiveness of such malware is the utilization of a similar set of actions for generating the unique decryption key to recover the ciphered data. Thus, unless the ransomware is still in the stage of development or exhibits some hard-to-track flaws, manual data recovery is a thing you can’t perform. The exclusive resolution to prevent data loss is to regularly make backups of your critical files.

Remember that even if you do maintain such backups regularly, they ought to be located in a specific location without loitering, not being connected to your main workstation. For instance, the backup may be kept on the USB flash drive or some optional external hard drive storage. Alternatively, you may rely on the help of online (cloud) information storage.

Unnecessary to mention, that when you store your backup on your common device, it may be encrypted together with your files. For this reason, storing the backup on your main computer is surely not a wise idea.

How I was infected?

Ransomware has various methods to build into your system. But it doesn’t matter what way had a place in your case.

Ransomware attack following a successful phishing attempt.

How To Remove Ransomware?

Video Guide

How To Decrypt .oopl Files?

The newest extensions were released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Ooza, Hgew, Hgfu etc.

As a result of the alterations made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer supported. It has been replaced with the Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP Djvu Ransomware developed by Emsisoft.

You can download free decryption tool here: Decryptor for STOP Djvu.

1. Select folders for decryption.

   Based on the default configurations, the decryptor will automatically choose the accessible directories in order to decrypt the currently accessible drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. Additional (optional) locations can be selected with the help of the “Add” button.

   Decryptors usually propose several options depending on the specific malware family. The existing possible options are displayed in the Options tab and can be activated or turned off there. You may find a detailed list of the currently active Options below.

2. Click on the “Decrypt” button.

   As soon as you add all the desired locations for decryption into the list, click on the “Decrypt” button in order to initiate the decryption procedure.

   Note that the main screen may turn you to a status view, letting you know of the active process and the decryption statistics of your data:

   

   The decryptor will notify you as soon as the decryption procedure is completed. If you need the report for your personal papers, you can save it by choosing the “Save log” button. Note that it is also possible to copy it directly to your clipboard and to paste it into emails or messages here if you need to do so.

The Emsisoft Decryptor might display different messages after a failed attempt to restore your files:

✓ Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]

✓ No key for New Variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible

✓ Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]

This ID appears be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

✓ Remote name could not be resolved

How to Restore .oopl Files?

In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…

The Oopl ransomware encryption mechanism feature is next: it encrypts every file byte-by-byte, then saves a file copy, removing (not overriding!) the initial file. Hence, the information of the file location on the physical disk is lost, but the original file is not deleted from the physical disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was stored, can still keep this file, but it is not listed by the file system and can be replaced by data that has been loaded to this drive after the deletion. Hence, it is possible to retrieve your files using special software.

Recovering your files with PhotoRec

PhotoRec is an free program, which is initially created for file retrieval from damaged disks, or for file retrieval in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, as time has gone by, this program adopted the ability to retrieve the files of 400 different formats. Hence, it can be used for file recovery after the Oopl attack.

First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer states that there is no assurance that your files will be recovered. PhotoRec is distributed together with other program of the same developer – TestDisk. The resulting archive will have TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.

To launch PhotoRec, you need to find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No setup is needed – the program has all the files it need within the archive, hence, you can fit it on your USB drive, and try to help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Oopl ransomware.

Upon the start, you will encounter the screen showing you the entire list of your disk drives. However, this data is presumably unhelpful, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this tab, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.

After choosing the disk, you need to pick the destination folder for the retrieved files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best choice is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.

Then, you need to designate the file formats. This setting is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can retrieve the files of about 400 different formats.

Finally, you can start files retrieval by pressing the “Search” button. You will see the screen where the results of the scan and recovery are shown.

Oopl files recovery Video Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
2. About DJVU (STOP) Ransomware.

German Japanese Spanish Portuguese (Brazil) French Turkish Chinese (Traditional) Korean Indonesian Hindi Italian