.Noos
.Noos is a Ransomware cryptovirus variant. Once you get infected with .Noos, it will lock your files and demand a ransom in exchange for returning the secretly encrypted data.
These programs are among the most malicious viruses that might enter your computer, and what is the worst about them is that even if you remove them, that still may not allow you to open, and use your encrypted files. However, we have created a special guide to assist you through both the deletion of .Noos from the system, and the decryption of your encoded documents. We suggest that you first go through the steps shown there instead of trying to contact the cyber criminals who demand a ransom from you, and see if the instructions in the guide can help you save your money.
The .Noos virus
The .Noos, .Kuub and .Adame viruses are ransom-demanding infections which can compromise you silently. According to the information we have, the .Noos virus is mainly distributed with the help of a Trojan Horse, or through various malicious email attachments, and spam messages.
However, Ransomware threats like this one can be found in many web locations, including different sites, torrents, misleading offers, and various links. Whatever the transmitter is, you’ll automatically download the ransom-demanding virus to your computer by simply clicking on, or opening one of those enclosed files, and links. Sadly, you won’t even understand that the contamination has happened. That’s partially what makes Ransomware so hazardous – it’s almost undetectable until it completes its dirty work. After that, the infection reveals itself with a ransom-demanding notification, typically directly on the victim’s screen.
You will likely see a message informing you that your files have been encrypted with a complex algorithm and that you have to pay a certain sum for the decryption key. If you don’t pay the demanded sum within a given deadline, you may get threatened to lose those encrypted files forever. The good news is that there are still a number of things you can try, other than paying the ransom.
In fact, since you’re already here, we assume that you are looking for alternative ways to detect, and remove .Noos. That’s why we will point you to the removal guide below, and the instructions there.
The .Noos file encryption
The .Noos file encryption is a complex process which is responsible for the file lockdown. This algorithm keeps your files inaccessible, and without the .Noos file decryption key, it may not be possible to access them. The hackers behind the Ransomware typically offer to send you the decryption key, which is on their servers, only if you pay the required ransom. And while this is totally your decision to make, here are some things to consider:
You are dealing with real criminals that have broken into your system, and have blocked the access to your personal data. There is nothing that can guarantee they will keep their promise, and give you the key. Also, no one can guarantee that the key will effectively decrypt all of your files. At the same time, there surely will be no refund if something goes wrong.
Of course, we can’t say that the methods in our guide will work for everyone, and will be 100 percent effective, but at least you’d get to safely remove the malware, and you will not be paying a ransom.
SUMMARY:
| Name | .Noos |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Danger Level | High (Ransomware is by far the worst threat you can encounter) |
| Symptoms | Very few and unnoticeable ones before the ransom notification comes up. |
| Distribution Method | From fake ads and fake system requests to spam emails and contagious web pages. |
.Noos Ransomware Removal
1: Preparations
Note: Before you go any further, we advise you to bookmark this page or have it open on a separate device such as your smartphone or another PC. Some of the steps might require you to exit your browser on this PC.
2: Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to enter the Task Manager. Go to the Tab labeled Processes (Details for Win 8/10). Carefully look through the list of processes that are currently active on you PC.
If any of them seems shady, consumes too much RAM/CPU or has some strange description or no description at all, right-click on it, select Open File Location and delete everything there.
Also, even if you do not delete the files, be sure to stop the process by right-clicking on it and selecting End Process.
3: IP related to .Noos
Go to c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts. Open the hosts file with notepad.
Find where it says Localhost and take a look below that.
If you see any IP addresses there (below Localhost) send them to us here, in the comments since they might be coming from the .Noos.
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4: Disable Startup programs
Re-open the Start Menu and type msconfig.
Click on the first search result. In the next window, go to the Startup tab. If you are on Win 10, it will send you to the Startup part of the task manager instead, as in the picture:
If you see any sketchy/shady looking entries in the list with an unknown manufacturer or a manufacturer name that looks suspicious as there could be a link between them and .Noos , disable those programs and select OK.
5: Registry Editor
Press Windows key + R and in the resulting window type regedit.
Now, press Ctrl + F and type the name of the virus.
Delete everything that gets found. If you are not sure about whether to delete something, do not hesitate to ask us in the comments. Keep in mind that if you delete the wrong thing, you might cause all sorts of issues to your PC.
6: Deleting potentially malicious data – .Noos
Type each of the following locations in the Windows search box and hit enter to open the locations:
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
%Temp%
Delete everything you see in Temp linked to .Noos Ransomware. About the other folders, sort their contents by date and delete only the most recent entries. As always, if you are not sure about something, write to us in the comment section.
7: .Noos Decryption
The previous steps were all aimed at removing the .Noos Ransomware from your PC. However, in order to regain access to your files, you will also need to decrypt them or restore them. For that, we have a separate article with detailed instructions on what you have to do in order to unlock your data. Here is a link to that guide.