Nakw Ransomware

What is Nakw Ransomware?

One minute you might think you are receiving system updates, and the next, you may learn that your system has been infected with Nakw Ransomware. As you see, this malicious program could pretend to be installing system updates. Unfortunately, instead of updating, the malware encrypts files that could be valuable to you. Because of this, you should be unable to open data that has been affected by this threat. The hackers offer their services to return files to normal, but they demand a ransom in return. The fee is not that small, which is why we advise thinking about the offer carefully. If you decide you have no wish to fund cybercriminals and risk getting scammed, we recommend not to contact them. The next step we suggest is erasing Nakw Ransomware from your computer. It can be eliminated manually with the instructions available below or with a legitimate antimalware tool.

Where does Nakw Ransomware come from?

Nakw Ransomware could get in by exploiting your computer’s weaknesses, such as unsecured RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) connections. Thus, our researchers at Anti-spyware-101.com say that users who want to avoid threats like Nakw Ransomware should secure unprotected RDP connections and take care of other vulnerabilities that their systems’ could have.

Since the malware might pretend to be installing system updates once it gets launched, the sources that could be spreading the threat might claim it is a system update. We believe such sources could be Spam emails and malicious file-sharing websites. Users should never accept updates or other installers from questionable sources. The safest option is to let your system take care of finding and installing the newest updates rather than risking downloading fake updates. Also, we advise avoiding any data received via email or messengers that you did not expect to get or if something does not seem right. Whenever in doubt, it is best not to rush, but to scan questionable files with a legitimate antimalware tool.

How does Nakw Ransomware work?

Besides pretending to be installing updates, Nakw Ransomware might block your Task Manager so you could not stop its process. While the Task Manager ought to be blocked, the malware should encrypt photographs, various documents, and other files alike. To know whether a file has been encrypted or not, you should look for a second extension called .nakw. It is supposed to appear at the end of each encrypted file’s title. For example, a text document called project.docx would become project.docx.nakw after encryption. Also, the malicious program should create a ransom note titled _readme.txt. It could be placed on your Desktop and in other directories that might contain encrypted files.

Nakw Ransomware’s ransom note starts with: “Don't worry, you can return all your files!” Unfortunately, there are things to worry about, because files cannot be decrypted without a special decryptor that only the malware’s developers might have. They ask for a payment of 490 US dollars to be made in 72 hours or else demand full price, which is 980 US dollars. While they do offer to decrypt a single file for free, it does not guarantee they will provide the decryptor so you could restore all of your data. If you do not think it would be wise to trust them either, we advise you not to pay them.

How to remove Nakw Ransomware?

For users who do not want malware on their systems, we advise deleting Nakw Ransomware with no hesitation. One of the ways to get rid of the malicious program is to erase files belonging to it manually. This task may not be an easy one, which is why we placed the deletion instructions available below this paragraph. The other way to eliminate Nakw Ransomware is to scan your whole system with a legitimate antimalware tool and then click its given deletion button to erase located detections. After your computer is malware-free, it should be safe to replace your encrypted files with backup copies if you have them.

Delete Nakw Ransomware

1. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Pick Task Manager and select Processes.
3. Locate a process belonging to the threat.
4. Select it and click End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Click Windows key+E.
7. Locate these paths:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
8. Locate the malicious application’s launcher, right-click it, and select Delete.
9. Navigate to this folder: %LOCALAPPDATA%
10. Look for the malware’s created folder with a random name (e.g., 871117r7-rt61-4n1f-w9Jq-ks1o11121Q1w), right-click it, and select Delete.
11. Locate this directory: C:\SystemID
12. Find a file called PersonalID.txt, right-click it, and select Delete.
13. Locate files titled _readme.txt, right-click them, and choose Delete.
14. Exit File Explorer.
15. Empty your Recycle Bin.
16. Restart the computer. Download Removal Tool100% FREE spyware scan and
    tested removal of Nakw Ransomware*