What is a .POOP file?
A file that ends with the .poop extension is a file that has been affected by a specific type of harmful software called POOP ransomware. This ransomware takes your original file, like a Word document (.docx), and changes its name by adding .poop to the end, making it look like .docx.poop. Once a file has been changed in this way, it becomes locked and cannot be opened or used as normal.
Unfortunately, as of now, there are no tools available that can unlock or decrypt files that have been encrypted by POOP ransomware. This means that you cannot open these files in the usual way.
Programs to Open: The main recommendation for dealing with files affected by POOP ransomware is not to try to open the encrypted files, but rather to use System Restore or similar recovery tools to restore your computer to a previous state before the infection occurred.
More Information: POOP ransomware was first reported by users in June 2019. It works by encrypting the files on a user's computer and renaming them with the .poop extension. In addition to locking the files, it changes the desktop background to an image of a pile of poop and displays a ransom note (usually named READ_IT.txt) along with a pop-up window that includes demands for payment and instructions on how to pay. It is important to note that paying the ransom does not guarantee that your files will be decrypted or returned to normal.
How Computers Get Infected: POOP ransomware typically spreads through deceptive programs that look safe but actually contain harmful software, such as adware or malware. If you download and install a program from an untrusted source, there is a risk that it could contain ransomware like POOP, leading to an infection.
To protect your computer, it is crucial to download software only from trusted sources and to maintain up-to-date antivirus protection. If your files do become encrypted by ransomware, it is generally advised not to pay the ransom, as this does not guarantee the recovery of your files and may encourage further criminal activity.
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