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

REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE 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 a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. 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. Read full review here.

Method 1. Enter 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 Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users 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. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users 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 Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

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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.

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 BPTO, ISWR, ISZA, BPSM, ZOUU, MBTF, ZNSM (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.

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.

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.