I wrote this article to help you remove Noob Ransomware. This Noob Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
The Noob ransomware is a member of the dreaded HiddenTear family. Just like MafiaWare and AngleWare, Noob is an updated version of an already existing infection. This means that it doesn’t stand out with anything. It is a classic ransomware. And the thing with ransomware viruses is that if you have seen one of them, you have practically seen all of them.
Noob also follows a standard pattern of three steps: Invasion, Encryption, and Extortion. Let`s explain them one by one. The first thing the parasite does is to sneak in your system. It does so completely undetected, relying on trickery and deception. Noob prays for your haste, distraction, and carelessness in order to dupe you into allowing it to enter. Yes, even though it is a cyber pest, it still needs your permission on its installment. And it asks for it but in the sneakiest ways possible. Otherwise, you would never let it in.
For example, Noob hides behind freeware bundles, spam email messages, fake updates, corrupted pages, etc. Actually, it doesn’t matter which of the above-mentioned techniques the parasite applies. They will all work if you are negligent. Your carelessness is what infections need the most. So, don’t provide it. Be more cautious. Don’t rush installation processes, relying only on luck. Don’t open emails from people you don’t know even if they look harmless. Don’t blindly click on every ad/link that comes your way. Always double-check what you agree to. Don’t skip the Terms and Conditions/EULA. All of these bad choices lead to infections. What is doesn’t lead to infections is vigilance and attention. Be smart. You are the one responsible for keeping yourself and your machine safe.
The second step is encryption. Once the ransomware is on your PC it doesn’t waste time. It immediately finds all of your files that you have stored on your computer and encrypts them all. This includes pictures, videos, files, MS Office docs, music, presentations, work-related data, etc. All of them are rendered inaccessible. You cannot open them, or watch them, or listen to them. You cannot do anything with them. All you are left with are their icons which you cannot use in any way.
We assume you have some very important information on your PC and now it is among the locked one. This is what crooks rely on. If they take something valuable of yours, you will be more willing to comply with their demands. As you can imagine, they demands involve money. Once the encryption is complete, the ransomware drops a TXT file on your desktop. This is the so-called ransom note, aka a message from the hackers, explaining your predicament and giving you instructions. It this note, the crooks refer to you as a “n00b” hence the name of the infection. According to them, if you want your data back you have to pay a ransom. What they want is 3 Bitcoins which equals more than $3000. It is a pretty hefty sum, isn’t it? But that’s not the reason why you should not pay.
The note states that you have to get in touch with the hackers via the geekhaxid[at]gmail.com address so they could give you detailed payment instruction. Once you have paid, you are promised a decryption key. Here where it get tricky. Let`s say you pay but you don’t revive what you paid for. Yes, this happens a lot more often that you think. Those are crooks you are dealing with. You cannot expect them to keep their end of the bargain. You have zero guarantees whatsoever.
The first scenario is that they don’t send you anything. The second scenario is that they send you a key but it doesn’t work. And the third option: you actually get the tool that you need and you free your data. But then what. The decryptor only goes as far. It removes the encryption, not the infection. This means that Noob remains on your machine ready to encrypt again. It could strike again after hours, days, weeks, any time it wants. Then you get send back to square one. This is why you should not pay.
You end up double-crossed with less money and still locked data. Not to mention that when you transfer the money you give access to crooks to your private details. It is clear that the money they will use for nothing but more malware creation. But what will happen to your personal credentials? What will they use them for? Don’t wait to find out. Delete this pest immediately and make sure to create backups of your most important files. Now that you know how destructive ransomware can be you know that it is crucial to take precautions. Do remove Noob manually, use our detailed removal guide below.
Noob Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Noob Ransomware deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.
- Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
- Install ShadowExplorer
- Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
- Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
- Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
- Right-click on the encrypted file
- Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file
Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore
- Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
- Click “Next“
- Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
- Click “Next“
- Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
- Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.
Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since Noob Ransomware first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:
