Jope Ransomware

What is Jope Ransomware?

Jope Ransomware is a threat that appends the .jope extension to files that it enciphers, for example, leaves.jpg.jope. Our researchers say that the malicious application could be after pictures, various documents, and other types of data that could be valuable to the malware’s victims. As you see, once the threat is done with encrypting files, it shows a ransom note that asks to buy decryption tools. The malware’s creators may tell you that they can guarantee that you will get what you pay for. However, such people should not be trusted as there are known cases when users paid ransom, but never heard from cybercriminals again. Therefore¸ we advise thinking carefully if you want to risk being scammed. If you do not, we advise ignoring the ransom note and erasing Jope Ransomware. To learn more about it first, we invite you to read our full article.

Where does Jope Ransomware come from?

Our researchers at Anti-spyware-101.com believe that Jope Ransomware’s distributors could use the same methods that are used by other hackers who spread similar threats. What we have in mind is spam emails, bundled software installers, and unsecured RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) connections. To protect your device against threats that travel with spam emails you should never open attachments from unknown senders and scan files that you choose to open with a legitimate antimalware tool first. As for avoiding threats that could be bundled with other software, we recommend staying away from unreliable file-sharing websites as installers offered on such sites can never be trusted. Lastly, we recommend securing your RDP connections or else hackers might be able to exploit this weakness to enter your system and drop malware on it.

How does Jope Ransomware work?

Jope Ransomware might create a randomly named folder in the %LOCALAPPDATA% and %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data directories. Our researchers say that the threat might use these folders to store copies of its launcher or other malicious data. Afterward, the threat should begin enciphering files that do not belong to the operating system because the hackers behind the malicious application need its infected computers to remain bootable. As you see, once the malware finishes encrypting files, it ought to show _readme.txt, which should contain a ransom note.

The malware’s ransom note should ask you to contact the hackers behind the threat to learn how to make a payment and receive decryption tools. Also, it might say that if you contact Jope Ransomware’s creators in 72 hours, you will get a 50 percent discount and will only need to pay 490 US dollars. Moreover, you might be offered an opportunity to send a file for free decryption so that hackers could prove that they have the necessary means to decrypt our files. It is vital to understand that no matter what cybercriminals promise, paying ransom is very risky and could end up hazardously. Decrypting a single file does not prove that you will get the needed decryption tools.

How to erase Jope Ransomware?

Whether your decision is to pay or not to pay the ransom, we advise deleting Jope Ransomware so it could not harm your future files. To learn how to remove it manually, you could follow the instructions available below. On the other hand, if they seem too challenging, we recommend getting a legitimate antimalware tool that could delete Jope Ransomware for good.

Eliminate Jope Ransomware

1. Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Open Task Manager and click on Processes.
3. Find a process belonging to the malware.
4. Select it and click End Task.
5. Close Task Manager.
6. Press Windows key+E.
7. Search these directories:
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %TEMP%
8. Look for the malware’s installer, right-click the malicious file, and press Delete.
9. Go to:
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
10. Find folders with long titles that should be made from random characters, for example, 4f9ea444-55f4-499d-0f16-9a28ac4t9oe6.
11. Right-click such folders and press Delete to remove them.
12. Right-click text documents called _readme.txt and select Delete to get rid of them.
13. Navigate to: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
14. Find a task belonging to the malware, for example, Time Trigger Task.
15. Right-click the malicious task and press Delete.
16. Exit File Explorer.
17. Press Window key+R.
18. Type Regedit and press Enter.
19. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
20. Right-click a value name belonging to the threat, for example, SysHelper and choose Delete to erase it.
21. Exit Registry Editor.
22. Empty Recycle Bin.
23. Restart the computer. Download Removal Tool100% FREE spyware scan and
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