Kook ransomware is the file-encryption based virus that can damage your files even if you pay up
Kook ransomware – the version of a notorious cryptovirus that is known for years now. There are no details about possible file recovery or decryption that people receive after the payment transfer. Since this is one of many versions in the family of Djvu ransomware, there are many features and functions, that haven’t been changed for a year at least. Since August of 2019, when the encryption process got more powerful and previously known decryption tool got shut down, all versions come out changed only slightly and a few days or a week from one another. This particular one is appending files with .kook extension, so it can be indicated from other ones, but many of them use the same ransom note – the text file named _readme.txt with a message that hasn’t been changed for a long time now.
Unfortunately, Kook ransomware virus is no different from other variants that came out in 2020, so there are little to no possibility to get your files recovered when the encryption algorithm is used to change the original code. The ransom note states about payment option and encourages people to contact criminals via [email protected] and [email protected] emails. However, when you try to get more information about the payment, you may receive additional malware instead. Even though there is a discount offer, these criminals are not focusing on your belongings. $490 also is a big amount for a useless cause. Do not pay. In some cases, there is a tool that helps – Emsisoft Djvu decrypted. There is an issue of online vs offline IDs, so only some of the encoded files get decrypted this way. The best option is to remove the threat completely and recover from your separate data backups.
| Name | Kook ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Cryptovirus[1] |
| Family | STOP virus/ Djvu ransomware |
| File extension | .kook – the file appendix that comes after a filetype extension and indicates encrypted files |
| Distribution | The threat uses methods involving malicious files. The virus can be spread via email attachments with malicious macros or from torrent platforms, pirating sites when malicious scripts get injected on software package files |
| Amount demanded from victims | $980 or $490, when the discount is offered |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt – a file that contains a direct message from criminals |
| Contact emails | [email protected] and [email protected] |
| Elimination | To properly remove Kook ransomware from the system, you need a trustworthy anti-malware tool that |
| Repair | The system gets affected while alterations in system functions get made. Make sure to repair them or at least find affected parts with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego |
Kook ransomware can trigger changes in the system, so your device is not working as it supposed to. In most cases, cryptovirus affect data recovery options, file restoring features, security software, and other programs that could help with virus removal or file restoring functionalities.
Since the threat focuses on keeping malicious activities and files on the system, Kook ransomware triggers these changes immediately after the encryption. The behavior of the stealthy threat is not easily noticed because these changes happen in the background.
The victim of the .Kook files virus can notice the infection when files get marked using the .kook extension, and the ransom note is delivered on the screen, placed on the desktop, in other folders. The message in _readme.txt states:
ATTENTION!
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-gSEEREZ5tS
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s 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 answer more than 6 hours.To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
[email protected]Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
[email protected]Your personal ID:
This message should be ignored because there is no need to contact the criminals behind the Kook ransomware. Those people are not concerned about victims’ files. The only purpose of this file virus is to get cryptocurrency from people directly by scaring them. Victims cannot know what to do when this text is displayed, and all the files get locked, so there are the ones who decide to pay. Unfortunately, it is not recommended by experts.[2]
Kook ransomware – the threat that locks files with the purpose of making profit in cryptocurrency.
Kook ransomware – the threat that locks files with the purpose of making profit in cryptocurrency.
Kook ransomware displays only a part of the malicious activities on the screen, so many changes can happen in the background. This is why you need to react as soon as possible. Also, when the time that ransomware creators give ends your files may get damaged even further, so removing the virus as soon as you can, may save your data.
Make sure to remove Kook ransomware properly from the system before you attempt any file restoring methods. Especially, when you rely on data backups from external devices that need to be plugged into the computer. You may lose all your data when the secondary encryption is launched.
The different ways for .Kook virus file recovery
Since Kook ransomware is the variant from a known virus family, it is known that previously developers used offline IDs, and the method allowed many victims to get their files back. Unfortunately, the technique is no longer used by these 2020 variants. Each victim gets unique ID that is needed for the decryption process. It means that decryption tool development is even harder.
Even though the decryption is not possible, there are some options for the file recovery. Some variants that use offline IDs still can be decrypted, some types of data[3] also have solutions. Nevertheless, to get back to the system that works properly, you need a thorough system cleaning and Kook ransomware removal process that can eliminate the virus. For that purpose, you need anti-malware or security tools.
As for the data that is affected by .Kook file-encrypting virus, you need to rely on trustworthy data recovery options. A few listed below the guide. You can try to restore files from the cloud database or archive stored on the external device. Remember to repair system files also, so the machine can run as it supposed to. You can rely on Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego for this purpose since the program can show affected files and corrupted functions for you.
Kook – ransom-demanding virus that makes various claims about paying and offers discount.
You need to pay attention to avoid the difficult Kook ransomware virus removal
As we mentioned Kook ransomware virus is distributed using various malicious files included on email attachments or packages with licensed software, game cheats, cracked program versions. These files get installed automatically and trigger the payload drop of the ransomware.
Kook ransomware removal gets affected by the processes and files planted in the background. Some security functions can get disabled, so you have fewer options for the elimination. However, tools like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes are the best ones for such instances.
Unfortunately, these anti-malware or security tools cannot recover files encrypted by the virus or help to repair or remove Kook ransomware damage. You need a proper system application or a PC repair tool that can check and fix the damage on the system. Try Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego for the virus damage repair. Then fully restore your device and all the affected files yourself.
Remove Kook using Safe Mode with Networking
Rebooting the machine in Safe Mode with Networking can help with the Kook ransomware removal
- Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
- Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window.
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Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Kook removal.
If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.
Remove Kook using System Restore
System Restore is the feature that can be used as a virus removal method because it recovers the machine in a previous state
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Kook from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.
If your files are encrypted by Kook, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro is the feature that restored affected files
You can try to recover files encrypted by Kook ransomware with Data Recovery Pro
- Download Data Recovery Pro;
- Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
- Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Kook ransomware;
- Restore them.
Windows Previous Versions feature is helpful with files encrypted by Kook ransomware
If you used System Restore before, you can try Windows Previous Versions for data recovery
- Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
- Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
- Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.
ShadowExplorer – a method for file restoring after Kook ransomware attack
This method works when Shadow Volume Copies are left untouched
- Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
- Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
- Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
- Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.
Kook ransomware decryption options
You can try the Djvu decryption tool for some of the versions of Kook ransomware virus
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Kook and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
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Computer users can suffer various losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Software issues created by malware or direct data loss due to encryption can lead to problems with your device or permanent damage. When you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work.
It is crucial to create updates to your backups after any changes on the device, so you can get back to the point you were working on when malware changes anything or issues with the device causes data or performance corruption. Rely on such behavior and make file backup your daily or weekly habit.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware occurs out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the system restoring purpose.
This entry was posted on 2020-07-28 at 04:21 and is filed under Ransomware, Viruses.