Ndarod Ransomware - How to remove

If your files have suddenly got the Ndarod extension applied to them, then you were infected with STOP ransomware. STOP/Djvu ransomware is a family of viruses which typically infect a computer, lock up the files with an encryption algorithm, and demand money to unlock them. This cyber extortion scheme is not just illegal, it can be very harmful to those who weren’t ready for it. The other examples of STOP include Kroput, Bopador, Djvu.

Ndarod can be recognized by the new extension and file type applied to the locked files. Unless the virus malfunctioned somehow, the vast majority of your files are locked and renamed.

picture.jpg -> picture.jpg.ndarod

In the folders of the encrypted files, a note named “_readme” is placed and it’s an unencrypted ransom note with a message from the cybercriminals. They urge the victims to not look for any other solutions and instead to send money to [email protected], [email protected], or @datarestore (Telegram). Traditionally, the chances that paying will result in your data being restored aren’t much higher than the chances that your data will be lost despite that. Luckily, there is a chance of free decryption of the Ndarod file.

Meanwhile, Ndarod is likely to bundle AZORult, a trojan that steals passwords to use themlater to hack social media accounts.

Decryption

A free decryption tool for STOP/Djvu exists, but it comes with a very big limitation: it only works on some versions and only for the files that were encrypted offline. The tool is called STOPDecrypter and is being developed by Demonslay335 constantly. Many versions of STOP are supported by Demonslay335 who finds the offline keys for each new strain. That key can then be used to decrypt your files. On the other hand, inputting the wrong decryption key could corrupt your files even further. Thus, it’s important to familiarize yourself with STOPDecrypter before using it.

If your files are not fixed by this tool, it’s not needed to delete them — they’re safe. The encrypted files are not infected, so if they’re somewhat important, you can keep them without any fear. If a solution to Ndarod is discovered, for example, the criminals responsible for STOP ransomware are arrested, the decryption keys could potentially be released.

How Ndarod works

STOP ransomware has infected thousands of people by using a few smart infection strategies. Ndarod is uploaded by its developers online, disguised as a wanted program; users download it believing it’s useful and get infected. It’s usually a cracking tool that’s meant to help people activate commercial software or an installation of a free version commercial software. Ndarod is an extreme example of how dangerous piracy can be. The other distribution strategies include infected attachments to spam email and hacked Remote Desktop connection: the former also tricks you to download the virus believing it’s a useful file, the latter abuses weak credentials to get access to your computer and install anything.

Once it’s been downloaded and run by a naive user, Ndarod changes the settings of the antivirus program to stop it from detecting and removing Ndarod. It also edits the hosts file to stop certain websites from being loaded (this article has instructions on how to fix that). This means that, even after you remove the virus, it’ll still be necessary to fix the settings, update and repair the files that Ndarod might have removed or corrupted.

Ndarod uses cryptography to edit the files and make them unusable. This encryption happens quickly and changes the internal contents of the files to become unrecognizable. Even though the encryption algorithm is the same, the keys used for encryption are different in each attack.Ndarod, ransom note text

How to remove Ndarod

The reason that Ndarod disables the installed antivirus software when it’s infecting a computer is that this virus can be detected and recognized by most professional antivirus programs, such as Spyhunter. Safe Mode might need to be employed for the removal to work, though. Afterward, you might be able to restore your system to a previous state using System Restore if Ndarod hasn’t broken the needed files.

Deleting the virus doesn’t fix the data that Ndarod locked so the ways to restore your files without the help of decryption are listed below.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Download Spyhunter for Malware detection
(Win)

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Download Combo Cleaner for Malware detection
(Mac)

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How to recover Ndarod Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:


for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP
  • Start Shutdown RestartOK.
  • Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
  • Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 7 enter safe mode

for Windows 8 / 10
  • Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart. Windows 8-10 restart to safe mode
  • Choose TroubleshootAdvanced OptionsStartup Settings and click Restart.
  • When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings. Windows 8-10 enter safe mode
 

2.Restore System files and settings.

  • When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
  • Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.CMD commands
  • Click “Next” in the windows that appeared. Restore point img1
  • Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Ndarod Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”. Restore point img2
  • To start System restore click “Yes”. Restore point img3
 

Step 2. Complete removal of Ndarod Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Ndarod Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Ndarod Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Ndarod Ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select PropertiesPrevious versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.
Previous version
b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.
Shadow explorer

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Ndarod Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:
  • We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
  • Download a data recovery program.
  • Install and scan for recently deleted files. Data Recovery Pro
Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.

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