What Is Copa Infection?
Copa is the name of a cryptovirus that utilizes the .copa file expansion which it includes in the data, encrypted by it. The infection is a brand-new version of STOP/DJVU ransomware viruses and has been reported by researchers to still be active after so much time since STOP ransomware infections initially started infecting.
Along with this, the virus drops the _ readme.txt ransom note, which has been developed with the main idea to extort the victims to pay a ransom in BitCoin. The note contains extortion messages that intend to frighten victims off by stating to them that their only shot at getting their documents to function once more is to pay the ransom money to the hackers who are behind Copa ransomware.
Copa Virus Summary
| Name | Copa |
| File Extension | .copa |
| 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 Copa ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .copa extension to them. |
| Ransom Demanding Note | _readme.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware or other threats. Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Copa Virus. |
Copa Virus – More Information
There are two key kinds of ways that are utilized to infect targets with Copa virus:
- Malicious internet links.
- Malicious documents.(. js,. docx,. pdf,. exe,. bat,. cmd).
In case the infection that has been done is performed through infection files, then the Copa virus could be reproduced either using having its data published on websites where the malware could look like a crack, software application activator, patch, installer, portable app, or any other kind of application that is created to deceive you right into downloading and install and run the virus.
But this is not the only method via which you can become infected with Copa ransomware virus. Another method of infection consists of e-mail spam messages. These are generally sent by the crooks and usually purpose to pose as genuine types of messages that intend to send you a doc, similar to a billing, aircraft ticket, invoice, or others.
In case the infection procedure is done by sending infection web links, then it can occur in various methods. It could be done through an ad that causes you a redirect or it might take place if you have actually received a message from Facebook Messenger, Skype, Viber, as well as others. As soon as these web links are opened, a virus script can jeopardize your computer system as well as infect it with Copa infection.
As soon as Copa infection finds itself on your computer system after infection, the virus might start to drop its virus objects.
They may exist in the adhering to Windows directory sites:
- %Windows%
- %SystemDrive%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %ProgramData%
- %system32%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
Copa infection could also carry out numerous virus actions once it gets in your computer effectively. Such could turn out to be:
- Check if it’s running on a real computer and if not, self-delete itself.
- Steal any saved passwords.
- Acquire read and also create authorizations and create mutexes.
- Obtain rights as an Administrator.
- Examine your IP address as well as location.
- Check region and language settings.
- Check if STOP Ransomware has infected your PC before and if so self-deletes its files.
Copa virus belongs STOP Ransomware viruses, and similar to one of the first variants, using the .promorad extension, it might include its own expansion to the data, which in this situation is .copa.
After that, the infection may additionally start to modify the following types of Windows Reigstry Entries on the infected computer system:
→ CurrentVersion\Run
CurrentVersion\RunOnce
\LogonUI\Background
\Windows\Personalization
\Control Panel\Desktop
CurrentVersion\Run
CurrentVersion\RunOnce
But in addition, the Copa infection may also make sure that all of the back-ups from the target PC are gone completely. For this to take place, it might run the adhering to commands in Windows Command Prompt:
→ sc stop VVS
sc stop wscsvc
sc stop WinDefend
sc stop wuauserv
sc stop BITS
sc stop ERSvc
sc stop WerSvc
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe” /C vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
In order to secure the vital documents on your computer, the Copa infection may scan for them by their documents extensions. The Copa virus might seek and also encrypt the following types of files:
→ “PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”
Paying the ransom the hackers that are behind the Copa virus is not suggested and researchers highly advise that you concentrate on getting rid of the virus first of all plus focus on restoring the files afterward.
Remove Copa Files Virus and Try Restoring Data
Before in fact reaching the removal procedure of Copa virus, we highly recommend that you support the encrypted files in advance. This will make certain that your files are risk-free, even if they are presently unopenable.
In case you want to remove the Copa virus, then we recommend that you focus on following the removal instructions beneath. They intend to aid you to get rid of this malware either by yourself or immediately. For maximum efficiency, we highly suggest that you concentrate on erasing the hazard automatically. This can happen if you download and install a reputable anti-malware software application that will take care of the removal for you and also see to it that your PC is secure from dangers, like Copa in the future, too.
To attempt and also recover data, we suggest that you have a look at the alternative data recuperation techniques below. They are made to ensure that they help you restore as much data as possible, despite the fact that we must advise you that they are not a 100% warranty to recoup your data. But they are an excellent short-term option, at the very least until a decryptor for this variation of STOP Ransomware is out, for which we will update this post.
Here you can also watch a Copa ransomware video removal guide:
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for Copa Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Copa 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Copa 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 Copa Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
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 Copa Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Copa 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 Copa 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.
Copa Virus-FAQ
What is Copa Virus Ransomware?
Copa 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 Copa 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 Copa Virus Infect?
Via several ways.Copa 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 Copa 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 .Copa Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Copa 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 .Copa Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Copa Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Copa 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 Copa 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 Copa Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Copa 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 Copa 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 Copa Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Copa 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 Copa 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.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.