What is KOK08 ransomware?

KOK08 is yet another variant of Matrix cryptovirus that also aims to lock up users’ data. The list of victim files is huge, for example, it affects files, such as photos, images, video files, PDF, and so on. It uses a sophisticated encryption algorithm AES, thereby restore the files by yourself is practically impossible. When the encryption is done, Matrix ransomware delivers a ransom-demanding message. However, we do not recommend you to contact criminals and even more so to pay the ransom, as there is a high probability of losing your files and losing money. Instead, you may use our guide in order to remove KOK08 ransomware and decrypt .KOK08 files for free.


Once the encryption procedure is done, all infected files will be renamed according to the following pattern: [KOK08@QQ.COM].[random_characters].KOK08. Afterward, KOK08 ransomware leaves !README_KOK08!.rtf file that contains kidnappers’ demands. Cybercriminals urge users to contact them via email to get further instructions from cybercriminals:

HOW TO RECOVER YOUR FILES INSTRUCTION
ATENTION!!!
We are realy sorry to inform you that ALL YOUR FILES WERE ENCRYPTED
by our automatic software. It became possible because of bad server security.
ATENTION!!!
Please don’t worry, we can help you to RESTORE your server to original
state and decrypt all your files quickly and safely!
INFORMATION!!!
Files are not broken!!!
Files were encrypted with AES-128+RSA-2048 crypto algorithms.
There is no way to decrypt your files without unique decryption key and special software. Your unique decryption key is securely stored on our server. For our safety, all information about your server and your decryption key will be automaticaly DELETED AFTER 7 DAYS! You will irrevocably lose all your data!
* Please note that all the attempts to recover your files by yourself or using third party tools will result only in irrevocable loss of your data!
* Please note that you can recover files only with your unique decryption key, which stored on our side. If you will use the help of third parties, you will only add a middleman.
HOW TO RECOVER FILES???
Please write us to the e-mail (write on English or use professional translator):
KOK08@QQ.COM
KOK08@protonmail.com
KOK8@tutanota.com
You have to send your message on each of our 3 emails due to the fact that the message may not reach their intended recipient for a variety of reasons!
In subject line write your personal ID:

We recommed you to attach 3 encrypted files to your message. We will demonstrate that we can recover your files.
* Please note that files must not contain any valuable information and their total size must be less than 5Mb.
OUR ADVICE!!!
Please be sure that we will find common languge. We will restore all the data and give you recommedations how to configure the protection of your server.
We will definitely reach an agreement 😉 !!!
ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION
If yоu did nоt rеcеivе thе аnswеr frоm thе аfоrеcitеd еmаils fоr mоrе then 24 hours please sеnd us Bitmеssаgеs frоm а wеb brоwsеr thrоugh thе wеbpаgе hxxps://bitmsg.me. Bеlоw is а tutоriаl оn hоw tо sеnd bitmеssаgе viа wеb brоwsеr:
1. Оpеn in yоur brоwsеr thе link hxxps://bitmsg.me/users/sign_up аnd mаkе thе rеgistrаtiоn bу еntеring nаmе еmаil аnd pаsswоrd.
2. Уоu must cоnfirm thе rеgistrаtiоn, rеturn tо уоur еmаil аnd fоllоw thе instructiоns thаt wеrе sеnt tо уоu.
3. Rеturn tо sitе аnd сlick “Lоgin” lаbеl оr usе link hxxps://bitmsg.me/users/sign_in, еntеr уоur еmаil аnd pаsswоrd аnd click thе “Sign in” buttоn.
4. Сlick thе “Сrеаtе Rаndоm аddrеss” buttоn.
5. Сlick thе “Nеw mаssаgе” buttоn.
6. Sеnding mеssаgе:
Tо: Еntеr аddrеss: –
Subjесt: Еntеr уоur ID: –
Mеssаgе: Dеscribе whаt уоu think nеcеssаrу.
Сlick thе “Sеnd mеssаgе” buttоn.

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. The only reliable way to solve the problem is to remove KOK08 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.

remove KOK08 ransomware

There are two solutions to remove KOK08 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 KOK08 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:

Brief overview:
Name KOK08
Type of threat Ransomware, cryptovirus, file-locking virus
File Extension .KOK08
Ransom Note !README_KOK08!.rtf
Contact kok08@qq.com, kok08@protonmail.com, kok8@tutanota.com, website
Genealogy Matrix Ransomware
Detections BitDefender (Generic.Ransom.Matrix.BB5F8475), ESET-NOD32 (
A Variant Of Win32/Filecoder.LockedFile.I), Avast (Win32:RansomX-gen [Ransom]), more detections (VirusTotal)
Distribution Spam email attachments, RDP, pirated software, torrent websites, phishing sites
Removal Tool

In order to completely remove ransomware from your computer, you will need to install an antivirus software. We recommend using SpyHunter

Recovery Tool

The only effective method to restore files is to copy them from a saved backup. If you don’t have a suitable backup, you may use third-party recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery

How to remove KOK08 ransomware?

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 .KOK08 files?


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 KOK08 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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