Do you see inaccessible .iiss files on your PC? If yes, we are sorry for this issue. Your computer and data have been compromised by ransomware. Keep reading to find out more details about the nasty Iiss virus as well as how to get rid of it.
What is Iiss Virus?
Iiss is called to a ransomware infection that causes damage to computer operating systems and personal data. The malicious software has been released in active campaigns against users worldwide. The virus has been reported by security researchers to be a strain of the infamous STOP ransomware. It appears to be yet another variant that aims to encode files that are likely to store valuable personal information. Its name comes from the malicious extension .iiss that the virus appends to every file it locks.
How to Recognize Iiss Ransomware Virus?
Iiss ransomware virus becomes visible to its victims after the end of the attack. At first, it tricks people into running it on their machines. Then it performs a long sequence of malicious activities that cause damage to both the computer operating system and data stored on it. The ransomware corrupts the settings of essential system components like those of the Registry Editor. During the attack, it activates a special module to encode target files with the strong AES cipher. The most vivid trait of this ransomware infection is the extension .iiss that appears appended to the name of all encrypted files. If you see a file renamed with this extension it means that you cannot open or use the file until a special decryption tool restores its code.
How to Remove .iiss File Extension?
The .iiss file extension indicates that the file that contains it in its name is locked by the new STOP/Djvu ransomware. Unfortunately, files that store important personal information are likely to be encrypted. This includes documents, banking details, audio and video files, images, photos, and even archives. The sad news is that the removal of the .iiss extension won’t recover files. They need to be decrypted by a reliable decryption tool. One way to get such a tool is to act as requested by hackers. Their demands can be found in a ransom note file called _readme.txt. The information in this file reveals that hackers expect victims to contact them at a given email address. Another detail that becomes clear is that they require a ransom payment of $490 – $980 in cryptocurrency.
Iiss Virus Summary
| Name | Iiss Virus |
| File Extension | .iiss |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware locks files on your computer system by encryption and demands a ransom to be paid for alleged file restoration. |
| Symptoms | The threat payload will initiate file encryption and append its extension to them making them unopenable. Ransom fee is demanded for payment. |
| Ransom Demanding Note | _readme.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Iiss. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
Must Read Iiss Ransomware Information
This piece of malicious code is based on the code of a well-known ransomware called STOP/Djvu. In case of infection with this virus, it is obligatory to remove malicious files before using the PC again. Beware that reinstalling your computer system is not a step that guarantees the complete removal of the threat. In addition, it won’t recover locked data.
Iiss virus is being spread via different methods. The most probable one is malspam. Malspam is called to malicious spam email messages that contain suspicious links and file attachments. They are often disguised as reliable sources sent by prominent organizations. As soon as the user opens the file or click the link, Iiss ransomware initiates the attack and starts to drop malicious files on the computer.
The ransomware payload could be started by a website that is infected with the code or a free download/torrent file as well. Cheats for games, hacks, and cracks, fake software could also have malware inside.
Once executed on the system, the ransomware is capable of evading detection and reaching the data encryption stage. During this stage, it encrypts your data by modifying its code. Since code modifications are realized with the help of the AES cipher algorithm, .iiss files appear as if they are broken soon after the virus encrypts them.
Afterward, the ransomware places a ransom message inside folders with encrypted data. This note is named _readme.txt. It has instructions that urge victims to send money to threat creators. It claims that upon payment confirmation your data will get restored. However, no guarantee for this. You cannot be sure that you will get your files after paying.
The virus will present you with the following text message:
ATTENTION!
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-gSEEREZ5tS
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
helpmanager@mail.chReserve e-mail address to contact us:
restoremanager@firemail.ccYour personal ID:
We beg you to discard all nasty statements. They aim to provoke you and make you act as requested. Yes, it is true that the newest STOP ransomware strains are hard to decrypt by security experts due to some changes in the code. But don’t forget that they keep investigating the code of this ransomware in order to find flaws that will enable them to create a free decryption tool.
So back up your .iiss files and wait until they come up with a solution. We at Sensorstechforum.com have never considered a ransom payment as an effective solution. An amount of $490 – $980 will only stimulate hackers to continue spreading malicious software that harasses online users. If you want to try to restore your files, you could check the alternative solutions provided in our guide. Beware that none of them provides a 100% guarantee.
First, you should remove Iiss virus along with all associated malicious files and objects. Otherwise, the ransomware will repeatedly encrypt files on the compromised computer.
How Can I Remove Iiss Virus?
In case your computer is infected with this malware, you should know that it takes experience in removing malware manually. You should be extremely careful if you decide to try and remove a threat such as this one, for the first time, manually. You should remove this ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided down here.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Step 1: Scan for Iiss with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Iiss 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 Iiss 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 Iiss 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 Iiss
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Iiss.
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 Iiss 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.
Iiss-FAQ
What is Iiss Ransomware?
Iiss 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.
Can Iiss Ransomware Cayse Damage?
Yes, ransomware can damage your computer. Ransomware is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
Should I Ignore Viruses, Like Iiss?
No, you should never ignore ransomware. It can encrypt your data and block access to your computer, making it impossible to access your files until you pay a ransom.
Ignoring ransomware could lead to the permanent loss of your data, as well as the potential for the ransomware to spread to other computers on your network. Additionally, paying the ransom does not guarantee that your data will be recovered.
How Does Iiss Infect?
Via several ways.Iiss 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way you may become a victim of Iiss 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 .Iiss files?
You can't. At this point, the .Iiss files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryptionkey 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 .Iiss files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Iiss" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Iiss 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 Iiss 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 Iiss ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Iiss files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Iiss ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts.
What to Do If I Cant Get The Files Back?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to 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 Iiss 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.
Why Is the Ransom Paid in Crypto?
Cryptocurrency is a secure and untraceable form of payment, making it the ideal choice for ransom payments. It is difficult to trace, and the transactions are almost instantaneous. This means it is nearly impossible for authorities to track the payment and recover the money.
Can 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 Iiss Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Iiss 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 Iiss 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.