Copa Ransomware

What is Copa Ransomware? It is a file-encrypting infection that employs a unique encryption algorithm to scramble the data of your files. This is how the attackers behind the infection ensure that you cannot read your files. What is the point of that? The attackers hope that that could help them extort money from you. They are meant to offer you a decryptor that, supposedly, can restore all files, but you must know better than to trust cybercriminals. Our research team warns that you are unlikely to get anything from them, even if you fulfill their demands, which we talk more about further in this report. So, what are you supposed to do? Do you have to accept loses? Hopefully, you do not, but we do not recommend doing anything that the attackers want you to do. Continue reading to learn more about file recovery options as well as the removal of Copa Ransomware. Note that this malware must be deleted regardless of which path you end up following.

You might not know this yet, but Copa Ransomware has hundreds of clones. A few of them include Tabe Ransomware, Kuus Ransomware, and Usam Ransomware. All of them were created using the template of STOP Ransomware, which is why the malware scanner and malware removal tools you employ might recognize every single clone as a STOP Ransomware infection. It is even believed that the same attacker might stand behind all of these threats. The thing is that it is truly very easy to create clones. The only thing that changes is the extension that gets appended to the encrypted files. In the case of Copa Ransomware, it is the “.copa” extension. Cybercriminals also have malware distribution down, and they know the easiest ways to infect systems and trick their users. According to our researchers, attackers are likely to trick you into executing the ransomware yourself with the help of misleading spam email attachments or links, as well as downloaders/installers/installer pop-ups found on unreliable websites. Therefore, you have to be cautious about what you open, click, and install.

Once Copa Ransomware is executed – and that can happen only if your system is not protected – it drops a file named “_readme.txt.” The purpose of this file is to deliver a message from the attackers. They want you to know that your files were encrypted and they also want you to think that you can buy a decryptor from them. The tool costs $490 if you send the attackers a message at helpmanager@mail.ch and restoremanager@airmail.cc within 72 hours or $980 if you contact them later. First of all, we hope you understand that contacting the attackers is a dangerous move. They could scam you, and they could also flood you with misleading and intimidating messages in the future. Second, even if the attackers decrypt a few of your files for free, how can you trust them to decrypt everything else? We do not recommend communicating with cybercriminals under any circumstances, and note that if you pay the ransom, you are unlikely to gain anything from that. You might have better luck with the free STOP Decryptor that was built by cybersecurity experts. Of course, you do not need the tool or aid from cybercriminals if you have backups of all important files, in which case you have copies that can be used as replacements.

Needless to say, it is not a comfortable thing to have your system infected by malware, especially if your personal files are the collateral damage. Hopefully, you can use the free decryptor or your own backups to restore/replace the corrupted files. If these are not good options for you, we still do not recommend paying the ransom. Instead, we recommend that you focus on deleting Copa Ransomware. This malware should not be too difficult to eliminate manually, but we suggest that you think carefully before you choose the method of removal. For one, you need to think about what will happen after you delete this malware. Will you be able to protect your system against other threats? You could be cautious about spam emails and bundled downloaders, but cybercriminals could still find a way in. This is why we believe that implementing anti-malware software is best. It can simultaneously remove Copa Ransomware and protect your system to keep it clean and safe in the future.

Copa Ransomware Removal

1. Open File Explorer by tapping Win+E keys at the same time.
2. Type %HOMEDRIVE% into the quick access field and then tap Enter on the keyboard.
3. Find the file called _readme.txt and then Delete it.
4. Find the folder called SystemID and then Delete it.
5. Type %LOCALAPPDATA% into the quick access field and then tap Enter on the keyboard.
6. Find the {unique name} folder that belongs to the ransomware and then Delete it.
7. Once you exit File Explorer, you should Empty Recycle Bin.
8. Install and use a malware scanner to examine your system for hidden leftovers.