What is iso ransomware?

iso is a data-kidnapping malware that aims to get users to pay money for locked data. It was first spotted at the end of April 2020 by security researchers. It was also revealed that this is another variant of Phobos ransomware that has been attacking users worldwide for more than a few years. With the help of the RSA-1024 asymmetric algorithm, it encrypts personal files including pictures, music, databases, documents, archives, and other data on the victim’s computer. This is a typical ransomware virus scheme: first, lock files and then scare people into paying for decryption tools. However, you should not rush to pay the ransom or contact malefactors. It is not known what kind of people they are and whether they want to provide the necessary tool for decryption after payment. Instead, you may use this tutorial to remove iso ransomware and decrypt .iso files.

remove iso ransomware

Once the encryption procedure is done, you won’t be able to open files with .id-xxxxxxxx-2589].[backup.iso@aol.com].iso extension unless they are decrypted. Here, iso ransomware drops 2 files: info.txt and info.hta that contain kidnappers’ demands. Cybercriminals urge users to contact them via email: backup.iso@aol.com or Telegram: @iso_recovery to know the ransom amount and solve the problem as soon as possible. As usual, cybercriminals offer free decryption of several files to prove that they can really decrypt the victim’s files. Typically, such virus programs encrypt data securely enough so that you have no choice but to purchase decryption tools from cybercriminals. Regular backups will save you these problems. It is worth noting that the files remain encrypted even after the removal of the ransomware, its deletion only prevents further encryption.

The content of the pop-up window (info.hta):

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail backup.iso@aol.com
Write this ID in the title of your message –
In case of no answer in 24 hours write to our Telegram profile:@iso_recovery
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

remove iso ransomware

The content of the pop-up window (info.txt):

ATTENTION! ALL YOUR DATA ARE PROTECTED WITH RSA-1024 ALGORITHM
Your security system was vulnerable, so all of your files are encrypted.
If you want to restore them, contact us by email: backup.iso@aol.com
In case of no answer in 24 hours write to our Telegram profile: @iso_recovery

BE CAREFUL AND DO NOT DAMAGE YOUR DATA:
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Do not trust anyone! Only we have keys to your files! Without this keys restore your data is impossible

WE GUARANTEE A FREE DECODE AS A PROOF OF OUR POSSIBILITIES:
You can send us 2 files for free decryption.
Size of file must be less than 1 Mb (non archived). We don`t decrypt for test DATABASE, XLS and other important files.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DECODE YOUR DATA YOURSELF, YOU ONLY DAMAGE THEM AND THEN YOU LOSE THEM FOREVER
AFTER DECRYPTION YOUR SYSTEM WILL RETURN TO A FULLY NORMALLY AND OPERATIONAL CONDITION!

We strongly recommend not to comply with their requirements because there are no guarantees that you will obtain your files when the transaction happens. On the contrary, there is a high risk of being deceived and simply left with nothing. Of course, they claim the opposite, that it is supposedly not in their interests to trick you. Think for yourself, why should they send you the key, if they have already received a ransom from you? The only reliable way to solve the problem is to remove iso ransomware from the system using appropriate software in order to stop the malicious actions of the virus and then restore your data from the backup.

Screenshot of iso encrypted files:

iso encrypted files

At the last stage of the infection stage, this ransomware may delete all shadow volumes on your computer. After that, you will not be able to carry out the standard procedure for recovering your encrypted data using these shadow volumes. There are two solutions to remove iso Ransomware and decrypt your files. The first is to use an automated removal tool. This method is suitable even for inexperienced users since the removal tool can delete all instances of the virus in just a few clicks. The second is to use the Manual Removal Guide. This is a more complex way that requires special computer skills.

How iso ransomware gets on my computer?

Cybercriminals use various techniques to deliver the virus to the target computer. Ransomware viruses can infiltrate victims’ computers more than in one or two ways, in most cases, cryptoviral extortion attack is carried out with the help of the following methods:

How to remove iso ransomware?

Before proceeding with the removal of the virus, you will need to reboot the system in Safe Mode with Networking and then download antivirus software that can remove iso ransomware and all related files.

For Windows XP/Vista/7 users:

Restart your computer before your system starts hit F8 several times. This will prevent system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with networking option from the options list using up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.

safe mode with networking

For Windows 8/10 users:

  1. Click the Start button, then select Settings
  2. Click Update & Security, then select Recovery and click Restart now.
  3. After your device reboots, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options >Startup Settings > Restart
  4. safe mode with networking

  5. After your PC restarts, you should press F5 key to Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

After the system is loaded in Safe Mode with Networking, launch your Internet browser and download a reliable anti-malware program and start a full system scan. Once the scan is complete, review scan results and remove all entries detected.

Recommended Solution:

Try SpyHunter

SpyHunter is a powerful tool that is able to keep your Windows clean. It would automatically search out and delete all elements related to malware. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate malware but also the safest and most assuring one. The full version of SpyHunter costs $42 (you get 6 months of subscription). By clicking the button, you agree to EULA and Privacy Policy. Downloading will start automatically.

Download SpyHunter

for windows

Try Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery is one of the most effective tools that can recover lost and corrupted files — documents, emails, pictures, videos, audio files, and more — on any Windows device. The powerful scan engine can detect compromised files and finally save them to specified destination. Despite its advancedness, it’s very concise and simple so that even the most inexperienced user can figure it out.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

Try MailWasher

Email security is the first line of defense against ransomware viruses. To do this, we recommend that you use MailWasher. MailWasher blocks ransomware viruses coming through spam and phishing, and automatically detects malicious attachments and URLs. In addition, malicious messages can be blocked even before the recipient opens them. Since the main source of the spread of ransomware viruses are infected emails, antispam significantly reduces the risk of a virus appearing on your computer.

Download MailWasher

After the virus is completely removed from your system, you can begin the process of restoring your files.

How to decrypt files infected by iso Ransomware?

Most regrettably, there are no free decryption tools that will be able to decrypt files encrypted by any Phobos Ransomware variants. All of the methods listed below do not guarantee full file recovery. Nevertheless, due to the lack of other ways than to pay the ransom, we advise you to perform them, maybe they will help at least partially restore your data.


Method 1. Restore your files with the help of Recovery Tool

Stellar Data RecoveryIn case your PC has been attacked by ransomware, you may restore your files by using file recovery software. Stellar Data Recovery is one of the most effective tools that can recover lost and corrupted files — documents, emails, pictures, videos, audio files, and more — on any Windows device. The powerful scan engine can detect compromised files and finally save them to specified destination. Despite its advancedness, it’s very concise and simple so that even the most inexperienced user can figure it out.

Download Stellar Data Recovery
  1. Run Stellar Data Recovery.
  2. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next.
  3. Stellar Data Recovery

  4. Select the drive and folder where your files are located and date that you want to restore them from and press Scan.
  5. Stellar Data Recovery

  6. Once the scanning process is done, click Recover to restore your files.
  7. Stellar Data Recovery

  8. After this, select a destination and click Start Saving to save restored data.
  9. Stellar Data Recovery

Since new ransomware-type viruses appear almost every day, there is no technical possibility to issue a decryptor for each virus. In this case, the recovery tool comes to the rescue. Despite the fact that this is one of the most effective methods in the absence of a decryptor, this is not 100 percent and not the only way.



Method 2. Restore the system using System Restore

Although the latest versions of iso Ransomware can remove system restore files, this method may help you partially restore your files. Give it a try and use standard System Restore to revive your data. The entire process is preferably carried out in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

For Windows XP/Vista/7 users:

Restart your computer and before your system starts – hit F8 several times. This will prevent system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with Command Prompt option from the options list using up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.

safe mode with networking

For Windows 8/10 users:

  1. Click the Start button, then select Settings
  2. Click Update & Security, then select Recovery and click Restart now.
  3. After your device reboots, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options >Startup Settings > Restart
  4. safe mode with Command Prompt

  5. After your PC restarts, you should press F5 key to Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

After the system is loaded in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, do following:

  1. In the Command Prompt window, type cd restore and hit Enter.
  2. system restore

  3. Then type rstrui.exe and hit Enter again.
  4. system restore

  5. Once a new window shows up, click Next.
  6. system restore

  7. Choose the date before the infection appearance and click Next again
  8. system restore

  9. In the opened pop-up window, click Yes to start system restore.
  10. system restore


Method 4. Roll the files back to the previous version

Previous versions can be copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup (if it is active) or copies of files and folders created by System Restore. You can use this feature to restore files and folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged. This feature is available in Windows 7 and later versions.

windows previous versions

  1. Click the encrypted file and choose Properties
  2. Open the Previous Version tab
  3. Select the latest version and click Copy
  4. Click Restore

How to prevent your system from Ransomware?

No one is safe from infection with a virus that secretly encrypts your data. But in order to minimize this risk, you need to follow the rules:

1. Always make Windows updates on time and keep them up to date. Remember that these updates close the security holes in the system through which the virus can enter your computer.

2. The most efficient way to avoid data loss is of course to make a backup of all important data from your computer. It is enough just to synchronize the necessary folders with one of the cloud services, so as not to be afraid to see the text requiring the payment of bitcoins in exchange for a decryption key. It can be a cloud or a remote hard drive on the network. If you store all your files on the Internet, the likelihood of virus infection will be lower. Do not make copies to external hard drives, as this could damage them.

3. Since spam email is the most popular form of spreading ransomware-type viruses, the user should never open email attachments without first having scanned them with antivirus. Just clicking on the link or opening the attachment can damage the operating system (Windows) in a few minutes, damage important data and infect other machines with the virus.

4. All previous methods do not matter if you do not have a reliable antivirus. The presence of anti-virus protection on your computer can prevent all these unpleasant surprises. Anti-virus protection will protect you from malware, money loss, time loss, invasion of your personal life. Now the antivirus market is so huge that it is difficult to make a choice in favor of one of them. If you have not decided who to give preference to, we suggest you familiarize yourself with our Top 5 Antivirus Software for Windows

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