Remove OORI Ransomware Virus (DECRYPT .oori FILES)

remove OORI ransomware virus and learn how to decrypt or repair files with .oori extension (free guide)

OORI ransomware is a severe threat to files stored on computers

Contents

OORI ransomware is a severe threat to files stored on computers
Ransomware distribution explained in simple terms
Remove OORI ransomware virus and recover your files
Decrypt OORI files
Frequently Asked Questions

OORI ransomware is a newly discovered computer virus variant that encrypts all files on the target system. After analyzing its sample, we discovered that it is a new version released by the STOP/DJVU cybercriminal gang. This virus infiltrates unprotected Windows systems and encrypts all files stored in them, plus marks their filenames with .oori extension. To illustrate, the virus renames files in such manner: 1.jpg to 1.jpg.oori, 2.txt to 2.txt.oori and so on. Additionally, the threat drops a copy of _readme.txt ransom note in many folders.

This ransomware aims to extort the computer user by taking personal files hostage. Victims typically download it along software cracks, key generators and other illegal tools used to activate premium software versions for free.

The ransom note delivers a message from cybercriminals

The cybercriminals behind this computer malware created this threat with intentions to blackmail the computer user – the virus is made to lock all files on the system using encryption, which can be reversed only with a help of a private decryption key. This key is kept by the cybercriminals who operate the ransomware, and they suggest selling it to the victim for a specified amount of money. All of this is explained in a ransom note called _readme.txt which is dropped throughout computer system.

Cybercriminals recommend writing an email to them via provided addresses: support@bestyourmail.ch, supportsys@airmail.cc and attaching one sample of encrypted data and also Personal ID (which is included in the ransom note). Furthermore, they explain that the sooner the victim writes to the attackers, the better, as this would determine the price of the decryption tool. According to the note, the ransom amount will be set to $490 if the victim contacts the attackers within 72 hours. Any longer, and the price will rise to $980.

It is typical for ransomware operators to demand paying a ransom via cryptocurrency (mostly – Bitcoin) as this provides some level of anonymity for the attackers. As a consequence, it becomes extremely hard for law enforcement agencies to track the crooks down.

Speaking of law enforcement agencies, we must point out that FBI does not recommend paying ransoms to cybercriminals. The same idea is expressed by cybersecurity experts worldwide. First of all, paying doesn’t guarantee file recovery and only funds further malevolent operations planned by the criminals. On top of that, victims who pay are likely to be attacked and blackmailed by the criminals over and over again.

More details about the ransomware

OORI ransomware comes from a highly dangerous cybercriminal gang responsible for all STOP/DJVU attacks. This ransomware strain is known for its specific ability to check the infected computer’s geolocation and decide whether to encrypt files on the system or not. In other words, its operators have programmed it to skip the encryption on computers located in the following countries: Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kazachstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Aside from data encryption, this virus comes with additional dangerous traits – most importantly, it can drag additional malware into computers. Cybersecurity researchers confirm that these ransomware variants tend to spread AZORULT and VIDAR Trojans alongside them. Both are known to be highly dangerous and can be remotely controlled by attackers to extract various sensitive data from computers, including user’s passwords.

Finally, like the majority of ransomware-type computer viruses, this threat also ensures that the computer user could not recover files back so easily. For this matter, it may delete Volume Shadow Copies from the system.

To protect your computer from additional damage and remove OORI ransomware virus along with other malware it may have dragged into your computer, follow the instructions provided below this article. You should boot your PC in Safe Mode with Networking and run a genuine copy of a trusted antivirus solution. Afterward, try downloading RESTORO (official download link) to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

Ransomware Summary

Name	OORI Ransomware Virus
Type	Ransomware; Crypto-malware; Virtual Extortion Virus
Family	STOP/DJVU
Encryption type	RSA 2048 + Salsa20
Previous versions	HHWQ, HHEO, GGEW, GGWQ, GGEO (find full list here)
Version	528th
Extension	.oori
Cybercriminal emails	support@bestyourmail.ch and supportsys@airmail.cc
Additional malware dropped	Azorult or Vidar Trojan
Damage	The ransomware uses encryption to maliciously modify all files on the PC and marks their original names with .oori extension. Ransom notes called as _readme.txt will be dropped in every computer folder. This piece of malware usually drags VIDAR Stealer alongside it and also eliminates VSS from the system. On top of that, it tends to modify Windows HOSTS file to restrict computer user’s access to cybersecurity-related websites online.
Ransom note	_readme.txt
Ransom demand	$490-$980 in Bitcoin
Distribution	Victims often download this ransomware along illegal torrent downloads, cracked software, activators, key generators or tools like KMSPico.
Known software cracks to contain this malware	Corel Draw, Tenorshare 4ukey, Adobe Photoshop, Cubase, Adobe Illustrator, Internet Download Manager, Tally, League of Legends.
Detection names	Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.PAL!MTB (Microsoft), Trojan.Crypt (A) (Emsisoft), HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Stop.gen (Kaspersky), Trojan.GenericKD.47850419 (BitDefender), Trojan.MalPack.GS (Malwarebytes), ML.Attribute.HighConfidence (Symantec) see all detection name variations on VirusTotal
Removal	Remove ransomware and related malware from your PC using trustworthy software. To repair virus damage on Windows OS files, consider scanning with RESTORO (secure download link).

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Scan your system for FREE to detect security, hardware and stability issues. You can use the scan results and try to remove threats manually, or you can choose to get the full version of software to fix detected issues and repair virus damage to Windows OS system files automatically. Includes Avira spyware/malware detection & removal engine.

You can see how files encrypted by this ransomware look like in a folder below.

Ransomware distribution explained in simple terms

Computer users can get their computers compromised by ransomware via illegal online downloads or malicious email attachments, aside from more sophisticated attacks that are based on vulnerability exploitation, malware-injected online ads and similar. Most STOP/DJVU variants, just like OORI virus, reportedly hide in torrents or rogue websites pushing fake “cracked” software versions.

Cybercriminals prey for computer users who want to install paid software for free – so they continuously upload articles about popular software versions that allegedly can be activated for free. Users who fall for this trick put their security at high risk since such downloads are mostly filled with malware. Cybercriminals have a tendency to provide too-good-to-be-true offers or promise paid content for free. Remember – the only way to get genuine and fully functional software version that is also secure to use is to get it from official and legitimate websites.

Another very common ransomware distribution tactic involves phishing emails with some files attached to them. Cybercriminals use these in hopes that the target will open the attached file and consequently the virus inserted in the email attachment will launch and do the damage for the user’s computer. Therefore, we advise you to be cautious when checking your emails – and make sure you avoid clicking on URLs or attached files, especially if you can feel that the email sender urges you to do so.

Remove OORI ransomware virus and recover your files

It is important to remove OORI ransomware virus safely. For this matter, use the instructions provided below. It is recommended that you do the removal procedure as follows: boot your PC in Safe mode with Networking and then run your antivirus solution to detect malicious components automatically. Afterward, download RESTORO (see its review here) to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

Once OORI virus removal is completed, consider reporting the incident to local law enforcement agency and also change all of your passwords used on the infected computer. If you had any data backups, use them only AFTER removing the virus completely.

OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND

Our team recommends removing malware using a professional antivirus software and then using the following tool to repair virus damage to Windows system files:

REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER

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RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically.

RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them.

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OORI Ransomware Virus Removal Guidelines

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Step 1. Start Windows in Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove OORI Ransomware Virus virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube.

Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users

First of all, turn off your PC. Then press the Power button to start it again and instantly start pressing F8 button on your keyboard repeatedly in 1-second intervals. This launches the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Use arrow keys on the keyboard to navigate down to Safe Mode with Networking option and press Enter.

Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users

Open Windows Start menu, then press down the Power button. On your keyboard, press down and hold the Shift key, and then select Restart option.
This will take you to Windows Troubleshoot screen. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Tip: If you can't find Startup Settings, click See more recovery options.
In Startup Settings, press the right key between F1-F9 to enter Safe Mode with Networking. In this case, it is the F5 key.

Step 2. Remove files associated with the virus

Now, you can search for and remove OORI Ransomware Virus files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus, which also includes data recovery software. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

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Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically.

Step 1. Boot Windows in Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users

Shut down your PC. Start it again by pressing the Power button and instantly start pressing F8 button on your keyboard repeatedly in 1-second intervals. You will see Advanced Boot Options menu.
Using arrow keys on the keyboard, navigate down to Safe Mode with Command Prompt option and press Enter.

Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users

Launch Windows Start menu, then click the Power button. On your keyboard, press down and hold the Shift key, and then choose Restart option with the mouse cursor.
This will take you to Windows Troubleshoot screen. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Tip: If you can't find Startup Settings, click See more recovery options.
In Startup Settings, press the right key between F1-F9 to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt. In this case, press F6 key.

Step 2. Start System Restore process

Wait until system loads and command prompt shows up.
Type cd restore and press Enter, then type rstrui.exe and press Enter. Or you can just type %systemroot%system32restorerstrui.exe in command prompt and hit Enter.
This launches System Restore window. Click Next and then choose a System Restore point created in the past. Choose one that was created before ransomware infection.
Click Yes to begin the system restoration process.

After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won't be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

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System Mechanic Ultimate Defense

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Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.

Decrypt OORI files

Fix and open large OORI files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

Create a copy of encrypted file to a separate folder using Copy > Paste commands.
Now, right-click the created copy and choose Rename. Select the OORI extension and delete it. Press Enter to save changes.
In the prompt asking whether you want to make the changes as file might become unusable, click OK.
Try opening the file.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. OORI Ransomware Virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like HHWQ, HHEO, GGEW, GGWQ, GGEO (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie.

Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible.

In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt OORI files, follow the given tutorial.

Download the decryption tool from Emsisoft.
Click the little arrow next to your download and choose Show in Folder.
Now, right-click the file and choose Run as Administrator. If asked, enter administrator's password.
In UAC window, click Yes.
Click Yes to agree to software terms in both windows.
The tool will automatically include C:// disk as a location to decrypt. The file recovery tool will prepopulate the locations to scan, including connected data storage drives or network drives. Click Add folder if you wish to add additional locations.
In Options tab, you can choose to keep encrypted file copies. We recommend leaving this option selected, especially if you do not know if the decryption tool will work.
Click Decrypt to start restoring OORI files. You will see the progress in the Results tab. Here, you can see messages from the tool, such as whether the decryption procedure is successful, or you need to wait for an update.
You might also be informed that online key was used to encrypt your files. In such case, the decryption tool won't work for you, and the only way to recover your files is to use a data backup.

Meanings of decryptor's messages

The OORI decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages:

Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID]

This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor's database.

No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible

This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals is impossible.

Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]
This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn't available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your OORI extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Report Internet crime to legal departments

Victims of OORI Ransomware Virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.
In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.
In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.
In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.
In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.
In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.
In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can't find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up "[your country name] report cyber crime". This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities.

Another recommendation is to contact your country's or region’s federal police or communications authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

✓ How can I open .OORI files?

You can only open OORI files if you have the decryption key, or if you were affected by offline encryption type.

✓ How do I know if my files were encrypted with offline or online encryption?

To figure out whether you were affected by offline encryption, please go to C:/SystemID/PersonalID.txt and see if the string inside of it ends in t1. You can also try using Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/DJVU.

✓ My files contain very important information (family memories). Every tool I used says it is impossible to decrypt. What should I do?

Please follow the guidances provided by the official OORI decryption tools and believe what they say. If they say it is impossible to decrypt, it really is so. There is no magic tool or human capable of decrypting your files hiding somewhere. Encryption is a technique created to be nearly impossible to decrypt without a special private key (held by the criminals).

✓ I am afraid virus is still in my computer system. What should I do?

We advise scanning with anti-virus, anti-malware, malware removal tools or software like RESTORO to eliminate virus damage on the system. If you do not trust using a single tool, try running one after another. However, we do not recommend keeping several security programs on a computer at once as they can interfere with each other's work.

✓ I saw several Youtube videos suggesting secret decryption tools. Can I trust them?

Beware of fake OORI decryption tools circulating around the web. Cyber criminals are uploading them to various shady websites, also might be promoting them via suspicious Youtube videos. These programs can infect your computer even more heavily (Trojans, miners, etc.). We suggest being extremely cautious around the web. If there will be an official STOP/DJVU decryption tool available, it will be widely discussed in public media.

Norbert Webb

Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.