What Is Pola Virus?
This removal article has been developed with the main goal to assist people infected by Pola infection to know more about this awful malware. At the end of the write-up, every one of you that were unfortunate enough to become infected with Pola ransomware can discover a complete removal guide and different steps to recover files.
The Pola ransomware is an infection that comes from the DJVU malware family of threats. Its primary purpose is to enter your Windows system while bypassing its defenses and, after that, use encryption on files that are important for you. As an often met cryptovirus, Pola is mostly created to get money to its developers by extorting victims. That’s why its creators have made it – to demand from its victims for a ransom fee in BitCoin to make the files openable again.
Pola Virus Summary
Name | Pola Ransomware also known as Trojan.GenericKD.35978248, Trojan.Win32.Stop.j!c, Trojan.Ransom.Stop, Trojanransom.Stop, A Variant Of Win32/Kryptik.HIMQ, Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Stop.qq – VirusTotal |
File Extension | .pola |
Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
Symptoms | The STOP ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .pola extension to them. |
Ransom Demanding Note | _readme.txt |
Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Pola virus. |
Pola Virus – Activity
Pola infection can get in your computer by making use of an application that takes advantage of weak security points in your Windows system. Pola virus might spread its infection files by posting them on different websites, where it can impersonate:
- Activator.
- Keygen (Generator).
- Crack or patch for a game.
- Setup.
Pola virus is an infection that comes from the STOP/Djvu virus family. Other variants of it include Coos, Lyli and Copa. This suggests that this cyber hazard is created to act in a very severe way that totally bypasses your computer protection and directly damages important files.
When your computer is infected by this cryptovirus, it could leave so-called modules or files that assist it to operate on your computer in the following Windows folders under different, often random names:
- %AppData%
- %ProgramData%.
- %Windows%.
- %System%.
- %system32%.
- %LocalLow%.
- %Temp%.
- %Roaming%.
- %Local%
When each of the preparation stages are completed, the virus runs a built-in cipher module to encode your data. Just by damaging portion of data, the ransomware can already has a reason to blackmail you into paying a ransom money to hackers. When it encrypts files, Pola ransomware checks system drives for important documents or other types of files and replaces their code structure with the help of a strong AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) cipher. All kinds of files listed below are to be encoded with added .pola suffix after their original one:
- Audio.
- Image files or drive data.
- Pictures.
- Archives.
- Data sources.
- Documents.
- Videos.
The minute the Pola virus encoding process ends it leaves file called _readme.txt on your Desktop and likely every folder which contains encrypted .pola files. It has this text:
This note has one purpose. To get you to establish contact with these hackers and negotiate the ransom money, you have to pay to remove the .pola file extension and revert the files back to a working state.
.pola Files
After encryption, the files assume the .pola extension and start to look like this:
Our tip is not to pay the ransom money because you can not trust that these cyber crooks won’t affect your computer system once again. Instead, we suggest you remove Pola infection from your computer and try other means of files recovery.
Remove Pola Virus and Try to Restore Files
This variant of STOP Ransomware can be removed using the complete elimination of all harmful files from your system. Be advised that you must eliminate harmful registries from the Computer registry Editor and ransomware infection files from folders like %Local%, %AppData%, %Temp% and other system folders. If you do not feel comfortable following the manual removal beneath, we recommend that you download professional malware removal software. It will automatically scan for and remove the virus from your computer. We have made this guide make it much easier for you to remove every one of the objects created by this virus.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for Pola virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Pola virus and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Pola virus on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Pola virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Pola virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Pola virus.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and Pola virus aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Pola virus-FAQ
What is Pola virus Ransomware?
Pola virus is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does Pola virus Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does Pola virus Infect?
Via several ways.Pola virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of Pola virus is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open .Pola virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Pola virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Pola virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Pola virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Pola virus files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of Pola virus Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate Pola virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Pola virus files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can Pola virus Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the Pola virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Pola virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Pola virus ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
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- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
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