What is a .GERO file?
A .GERO file is a type of file that has been taken over and changed by a harmful computer program called GERO ransomware, which is a kind of STOP ransomware. This means that the original file, whether it was a text document, a picture, a video, or any other kind of file, has been locked and renamed by this ransomware. The .gero part is added to the end of the file's name, making it look something like .docx.gero. Once a file has been changed in this way, you can't open it like normal because the information inside has been scrambled.
To deal with files that have been affected by GERO ransomware, one suggested method is using System Restore on your computer. This might help return your files to a state before they were encrypted.
STOP ransomware, the broader family to which GERO belongs, is known for locking up files on people's computers and then asking for money to unlock them. GERO showed up around August 2019 and works by scrambling your files and leaving a note (_readme.txt) that tells you how to pay to get your files back. Unlike earlier versions of STOP ransomware that used a decryption key found on the infected computer, GERO uses a key that's kept on the criminals' server, making it much harder to get your files back without paying.
However, there's a bit of hope if GERO ransomware didn't manage to connect to the internet while it was encrypting your files. In this case, it might use an "offline key" instead. If that happens, a tool like the Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP Djvu ransomware might be able to unlock your files using this offline key.
Computers usually get infected by GERO ransomware through downloading and installing programs that seem safe but are actually harmful. These can sneak the ransomware onto your computer without you realizing it.
Remember, dealing with ransomware is tricky, and there's no guarantee you can get your files back without the specific decryption key. Always be cautious about what you download and install to avoid such infections.
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