Remove Nakw Ransomware Virus

How to Remove Nakw Ransomware?

Readers recently started to report the following message being displayed when they boot their computer:

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-514KtsAKtH
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:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
gorentos2@firemail.cc

Our Telegram account:
@datarestore

Your personal ID:

The Nakw infection belongs to the STOP/DJVU family of threats. It’s a ransomware that throws you into a whirl of trouble. The tool uses slyness to sneak into your system. And, once it settles, spreads corruption. It encrypts your files using strong algorithms, then extorts you for their release. Yes, the Nakw menace tries to make money off of your fear and naivety. Don’t let its attempts prove successful. After it locks your data, it leaves you a ransom note. It’s a text file that’s called “_readme.txt.” It explains your current situation, and offers a way out of it. It claims that if you wish to regain control over your data, you must pay up. It requests you transfer an amount of $980. And, once you do, you’ll receive a decryption key. Apply said key, and you remove the encryption. All that seems fine and dandy, but it’s a lie. The people behind the note tell you what you want to hear. They feed you falsehoods, and hope you fall for it. Don’t trusty the words of cyber extortionists. Remember that you’re dealing with strangers with malicious agendas. Don’t play their game. You’re set up to lose.

How did I get infected with?

The Nakw ransomware uses deception to invade. It resorts to the old but gold invasive methods. That includes the usual antics. It can pretend to be a fake system or program update. Like, Java or Adobe Flash Player. It can lurk behind corrupted sites, links or torrents. And, of course, it can use spam emails and freeware. Most users don’t pay attention during freeware installs. And, that carelessness leads to trouble. If you rush through the process, infections manage to slip through the cracks. You have to take the time to be vigilant. Read terms and conditions, and double-check everything. Look for the fine print, and be sure of what you allow on your computer. Even a little extra attention can save you a ton of troubles. Remember that infections, like Nakw, prey on your carelessness. They need you to rush, and throw caution to the wind. To rely on luck, and give into gullibility. Your distraction, haste and naivety ease its infiltration. Don’t oblige. Choose caution over the lack thereof. Your future self will be grateful for it.

Why is Nakw dangerous?

Once Nakw strikes, you discover your files renamed. It targets every single one, you keep on your computer. Archives, documents, pictures, videos, music. The ransomware attaches the ‘.nakw‘ extension at the end of them. If you have a photo called ‘kitchen.jpg,‘ it becomes ‘kitchen.jpg.nakw.‘ Once the extension is in place, it renders the files unusable. You can try to move or rename them, but it’s pointless. They remain inaccessible. The ransom note states that you can change that, if you pay up. “The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.” It even tries to entice you into paying by offering a discount. “Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.” It’s all a scheme to get you to send them money. Don’t do it. You have zero guarantees that payment will do anything. Compliance is not the answer to your problem. Let’s examine possible scenarios, shall we? Say, you pay the ransom. What then? You await to receive the decryption key, right? But what if you don’t get one? Or, what if you get a key that doesn’t work? And, even if you get the proper one, you’re not in the clear yet. You have to realize that you’re paying money for a decryption key. In other words, a key that removes the encryption, not the encryptor. The Nakw threat remains on your computer. Ask yourself what’s to stop it from striking again? What if it strikes a mere minute after you apply the decryption key? Don’t take chances when it comes to ransomware. Don’t pay these data kidnappers. Don’t contact them, don’t reach out to them, at all. It’s a tough call to make, but it’s the right one. Do not comply with their demands.

Nakw Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Nakw Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with Nakw encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate Nakw encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.