Koolova Ransomware Removal (File Recovery Methods)

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Welcome to our Koolova Ransomware removal guide. The following instructions will aid you in removing the unwanted software from your PC.

The article below is about some of the most horrific infections that rage around the web nowadays – the Ransomware-caused ones. Actually, the particular one we will be discussing below is caused by a specific version of ransom-requiring malware – Koolova Ransomware. You can read everything about the horrors provoked by this type of viruses, which include file encryption and ransom-demanding, harassing messages. Indeed, there is no threat as hazardous as the different versions of Ransomware that you may catch in one way or another while browsing the web. Actually, there may be several types of Ransomware-based viruses, all of which we will describe below and will point out the main subgroup Koolova belongs to. We are also going to explain why these various viruses are categorized as one and the same malware type.

Experts divide Ransomware in the following groups:

• The most common subtype is the data-encoding group: It comprises viruses that infect your PC, research its disks and drives and determine which the most regularly used files are. Following these activities, all the predetermined files get encrypted in a very complicated way with a difficult-to-crack key. As soon as all the data has been encoded, you receive a message about this entire process. A notification is generated on your screen and it may include a demand for a ransom payment, a stated deadline, as well as some extra threats and warnings about the future of the locked-up files. Koolova belongs to that subtype exactly.
• The less common and less dangerous subgroup – the screen-blocking type: The programs from this subcategory do not lock up any data. In fact, they could only prevent you from accessing your device’s screen by covering it with a huge ransom notification. In this ransom-demanding message you will find some warnings about the future of your device, which are there only to scare you, because only the screen is affected, and of course – a payment deadline and some additional details. When it comes to this subtype, the devices that could be affected may be mobile phones and tablets (mobile screen-affecting Ransomware) and computers and laptops as well.
• Ransomware used for punishing criminals: Unusual as it sounds, such viruses could also be used for making hackers and other cyber criminals pay for their wrongdoings. Such usage is quite rare, on the other hand – only the authorized government agencies could use such malware in such a way.

What gathers all these programs in one and the same malware category is the fact that, all of these programs, including Koolova, infect your computer automatically and stop you from accessing something on your computer: either your screen, or your data. Actually, both prospects sound quite disturbing. What’s more, such programs always ask for ransom to undo whatever wrong they have done on your devices, thus their alias – “Ransomware”.

Could such software be counteracted in any way?

To be completely honest, it may be impossible to completely undo what Koolova has done to you, your files and your PC. In the worst case, a full reinstall of your computer might be required. As far as we know, even professionals in the field may have difficulty dealing with such a serious cyber threat. Actually, the most important tip in case of such a malicious infection is NOT to pay the hackers immediately after you receive the ransom-demanding message. Bear in mind that the future of your files will be insecure even if you pay the ransom. That is why you should seek other potential solutions to this issue. Such solutions include:

• Ask someone who is good at programming to help you deal with that threat;
• Look for a piece of software that may be able to undo the damage, like a decryptor;
• Consult a specialized Removal guide like the one below for potentially resolving this threatening issue.

And most importantly, do not expect to recover your data as that may never happen. Even if you remove the virus, it might not be possible to recover your files, but it is worth trying. Learn to create and keep copies of your essential files in the future, so that you won’t be bothered by such malware and its threats.

How to avoid Ransomware?

The best way to avoid Ransomware is to stay away from the most likely sources of these viruses, which include:

• Emails in any forms, inside or outside your Spam Folder: All letters could be carrying Ransomware, sometimes even combined with Trojans. Simply open only the emails you have been expecting.
• Malicious pop-ups and banners on the Internet: Some ads could be leading to virus-containing web pages. As a result, it is better to stay away from them all – do not click on any of them.
• Illegal web pages: All sorts of video, software and torrent-sharing websites could be contaminated. Avoid them as much as you can, as often as possible.

Koolova Ransomware Removal

 Here is what you need to do in order to remove a Ransomware virus from you computer.

I – Reveal Hidden files and folders and utilize the task manager

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1. Use the Folder Options in order to reveal the hidden files and folders on your PC. If you do not know how to do that, follow this link.
2. Open the Start Menu and in the search field type Task Manager.
   
3. Open the first result and in the Processes tab, carefully look through the list of Processes.
4. If you notice with the virus name or any other suspicious-looking or that seems to consume large amounts of memory, right-click on it and open its file location. Delete everything in there.
   

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• Make sure that the hidden files and folders on your PC are visible, else you might not be able to see everything.

5. Go back to the Task Manager and end the shady process.

II – Boot to Safe Mode

• Boot your PC into Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do it, use this guide/linked/.

III – Identify the threat

1. Go to the ID Ransomware website. Here is a direct link.
2. Follow there in order to identify the specific virus you are dealing with.

IV – Decrypt your files

1. Once you have identified the virus that has encrypted your files, you must acquire the respective tool to unlock your data.
2. Open your browser and search for how to decrypt ransomware, look for the name of the one that has infected your system.
3. With any luck, you’d be able to find a decryptor tool for your ransomware. If that doesn’t happen try Step V as a last ditch effort to save your files.

V – Use Recuva to restore files deleted by the virus

1. Download the Recuva tool. This will help you restore your original files so that you won’t need to actually decrypt the locked ones.
2. Once you’ve downloaded the program, open it and select Next.
   
3. Now choose the type of files you are seeking to restore and continue to the next page.
4. When asked where your files were, before they got deleted, either use the option In a specific location and provide that location or choose the opt for the I am not sure alternative – this will make the program look everywhere on your PC.
   
5. Click on Next and for best results, enable the Deep Scan option (note that this might take some time).
   
6. Wait for the search to finish and then select which of the listed files you want to restore.

• Keep in mind it is possible that not all files might be fully recovered. You can check in what condition the files are from the State column in the list of deleted files.