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.STOPDATA is a new addition to the already growing list of ransomware viruses, which was released back in January this year in 2018. Similar to other ransomware viruses, the .STOPDATA ransomware also encrypts the files on your system and appends the file extension with .STOPDATA. For e.g. an infected office.docx file is renamed as office.docx.STOPDATA, which is an indicator of .STOPDATA ransomware infected file.
If you ever try to open the infected file, the ransomware opens a ransom note asking you to pay a hefty sum to get the decryption key required for accessing the infected file(s). We highly suggest that you should never pay them in a hope to unlock/decrypt files. Paying them not only motivates the malicious developers & hackers to develop & deploy more such ransomware viruses and attacks but also results in hefty loss to you in terms of time, money, and, not to mention, your crucial data as they never share any key with you to let you access your infected files.
How to Remove .STOPDATA Ransomware Virus
Once files are infected with .STOPDATA ransomware virus, there is literally no way to remove .STOPDATA ransomware virus from the file(s) but you can definitely stop it from spreading further and from infecting other files on your PC and network to which it?s connected.
The ransomware can easily spread through malware, bloatware, emails (which is the most common way), and attachments via email, messengers, etc.
One simple way to avoid files or your PC from being infected is by installing an anti-virus and anti-malware protection from a reliable and trusted source. Make sure they also include web-protection. This alone can save you and your system from ransomware troubles and several other online threats.
Another way is to stop opening emails from an unknown source. Especially, links and attachments; those could be malicious and you may end up downloading the .STOPDATA-infected payload on your system that eventually destroys your files by encrypting them. Also, never forward or respond to such mails and attachments.
Implementing a manual method can also help you stop the ransomware from spreading and affecting your PC. In this method, you need to open the Task Manager and weed out the processes that you think are malicious. You may choose to reboot normally or into Safe Mode, the choice is yours. Here you need to trust on your conscience if you are technically sound.
For all others, either restore your PC by choosing previously created System Restore Point (if available) or skip to the recovery process discussed further in this blog.
Other Risks Related to .STOPDATA Ransomware
.STOPDATA not only encrypts your important files but also collects information about your activities after controlling your system and infecting files. It starts by installing rootkits followed by changing file extensions to .STOPDATA after encryption is finished.
Additionally, it is quite difficult to track down and Remove .STOPDATA Ransomware Virus on your PC. Therefore, you need to take immediate action and start recovery of your important files using a data recovery software, such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows, followed by formatting your system and reinstalling Windows OS to completely get rid of this annoying ransomware if the above-mentioned manual method fails.
Recover File from PC Infected with .STOPDATA Ransomware
After removing the .STOPDATA with the help of antivirus or manual method, you can proceed to the recovery process that will help you restore your encrypted and lost files. Since this is an exceptionally complex process, we need to use sophisticated data recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows. The software offers options to restore encrypted files and lets you image your ransom ware-infected disk for quick data restoration.
Follow the Steps Below to Restore Files Infected by .STOPDATA Ransomware Virus
- Download, install and launch the Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows software either on the same PC or use a different one.
- If you can, remove the drive infected with .STOPDATA ransomware and connect it to another Windows PC where you have installed the software using an HDD enclosure or SATA to USB converter.
- Click ?All Data? from the available options and then, click ?Next?.
- Select the connected drive (if using different PC) listed under ?Connected Drives?. Else, choose the folder or volume containing infected files.
- Turn on the ?Deep Scan? toggle switch that appears at the bottom left of the software window.
- Click the ?Scan? button and wait for the scan to finish.
- The recovered files are listed in the left tree view pane. Click on the ?File Type? tab to organize files based on the file type.
- Browse through the folders. The files & folders under selected folder are displayed in the right panel.
- Click on the file to preview them and select which files you want to recover. Use the search bar to locate files.
- Click ?Recover? and then the ?Browse? button when the popup appears.
- Select the location where you want to save the recovered files. Make sure not to select the same location from where recovery is being done.
- Click ?Start Recovery? and wait for the software to save the recovered files at your desired location.
Now that you have recovered your files and folders, clean your system and if necessary, reinstall the Windows to get rid of the galling .STOPDATA ransomware.
Conclusion
.STOPDATA ransomware is unstoppable if you do not take appropriate measures while browsing the web and before opening malicious email-links and attachments. The ransomware can be devastating once it starts spreading in your PC.
There is no way of getting encrypted files back unless you implement a reliable and sophisticated data recovery solution like Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows that helps you restore lost, deleted, corrupt, and files from encrypted drives. As a safety measure, you must install and use an updated anti-virus and anti-malware protection to protect your system from such threats.
