Remove OFF Ransomware: Open Encrypted Files

OFF Ransomware: Simple Uninstall Steps

OFF Ransomware is a dreadful file-encoding virus which tends to encrypt data stored inside the Windows computers and then ask victims to pay off for the decryption tool. Coming from the family of Dharma ransomware, it is capable of compromising almost all kinds of data including images, audios, videos, documents, PDFs, spreadsheets etc. and making them completely inaccessible. The OFF virus also renames the infected files by adding victims’ unique ID, attackers’ email address, and appending “.OFF” extension with each of them. The attacks of ransomware are being triggered by cyber criminals on large scale since they are the most profitable cyber infections out there.

OFF Ransomware Instructs Victims To Contact Attackers:

Following successful encryption, OFF Ransomware displays ransom notes in a pop-up window and “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” text file and informs victims regarding the attack. They are also asked to contact the criminals via the [email protected] and [email protected] email addresses in order to regain access to the locked data. Furthermore, they can also test the decryption by sending one encrypted file to the crooks that should not exceed 1 MB in size (non-archived) and should not contain valuable information (e.g., large Excel sheet, database, backup, etc.). OFF Ransomware victims are also warned against renaming the files or trying to decrypt them with third-party software, or else it may result in permanent data loss.

Paying Ransom Is Not Recommended:

No matter what situation is, you should never consider making any sort of payment to the hackers as it will not result positive. Remember the only purpose of such criminals is to extort illicit ransom money from the victimized users; they are not in data-recovery business. Many victims paid ransom to the crooks but didn’t receive anything in return. Also, fulfilling such criminals’ demands will boost their confidence and they certainly consider triggering more such attacks for future profits. So, never do that and try to perform OFF Ransomware removal from the machine immediately.

Use Alternative Ways To Restore Files:

As far as recovering the infected files is concerned, you should use a recently made backup stored on any external location. Creating and maintaining backups is highly important as it can be very useful in restoring the infected files in such hazardous situation. In the absence of an appropriate backup, you should look for Shadow volume copies (temporary backup created by OS itself). Even if this is not available, then the only option left for you is to try a proper data-recovery program.

Infiltration Of OFF Ransomware:

OFF Ransomware or other crypto-viruses are most often spread with the help of phishing emails. These spam mails are specially designed by hackers in order to trick recipients into downloading and opening the malicious files attached to them which results in the installation of malware. The vicious file could be in multiple formats such as PDF and Microsoft Office documents, archives (RAR, ZIP, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), JavaScript, and so forth.

Therefore, to prevent such lethal attacks, it is important to not open irrelevant emails coming from unknown sources. Especially avoid downloading their attachments without scanning it with a reliable anti-malware tool. Moreover, download software or products only from official pages, trustworthy channels and rely on unofficial sources, torrent sites, Peer-to-peer networks and other third-party downloaders as less as you can. If your computer is already infected with this precarious crypto-virus, you must remove OFF Ransomware from the machine without wasting any time.

Text Presented In The Pop-up Window:

All your files have been encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail [email protected]

Write this ID in the title of your message –

In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:[email protected]

You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee

Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

How to obtain Bitcoins

The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.

hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins

Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:

hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Message Presented In The “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” File:

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

Write email [email protected] or [email protected]

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove OFF Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete OFF Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove OFF Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete OFF Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with OFF Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to OFF Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove OFF Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of OFF Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by OFF Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like OFF Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by OFF Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with OFF Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove OFF Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.