Jope Ransomware

The STOP Ransomware was the most active ransomware family of 2019, with over 200 copies detected by malware analysts. Many authors of ransomware threats opt to use the code of already existing threats instead of creating a data-locking Trojan from scratch as it requires more skills and is far more time-consuming.This is the case of the Jope Ransomware, which is a variant of the notorious STOP Ransomware.

Propagation and Encryption

The Jope Ransomware may be propagated with the help of fake emails. Many authors of ransomware opt to distribute their creations via phishing email campaigns that contain a corrupted attachment. Users who believe the tricks of the cyber crooks and open the corrupted attached file would infect their computers. Illicit, pirated software, malvertising, torrent trackers are among other commonly used infection vectors. Regardless of how the Jope Ransomware compromises your computer, as soon as your system is infected, the Jope Ransomware would trigger a scan of your data. Once the files of interest are located, the Jope Ransomware will begin the encryption process. Most ransomware threats are designed to target as many filetypes as possible to ensure maximum damage done to the host. This makes sense, as the more files a ransomware threat locks, the more likely it is that the PC user would consider paying the ransom fee demanded by the attackers. The Jope Ransomware will make sure to lock all your images, audio files, videos, documents, presentations, spreadsheets, archives, databases, etc. securely. The Jope Ransomware would apply an encryption algorithm to lock the targeted files. Users will notice that the filenames of the locked files have been changed. This is because the Jope Ransomware adds a ‘.jope’ extension to the encrypted files names. For example, a file called ‘white-tiger.mp4’ will be renamed to ‘white-tiger.mp4.jope’ after the Jope Ransomware encrypts it successfully.

The Ransom Note

The Jope Ransomware would drop its authors' ransom note on the victim’s computer. The message of the attackers is contained in the file named ‘_readme.txt.’ There are several important points in the Jope Ransomware’s ransom note:

• Users who contact the attackers within 72 hours of the attack taking place would have to pay $490 as a ransom fee.
• Users who fail to contact the attackers within the set deadline would be required to pay double the amount - $980.
• The attackers offer to decrypt one file free of charge to prove that they have a functioning decryption tool.
• Two email addresses are provided as a means of contacting the attackers – ‘helpdatarestore@firemail.cc’ and ‘helpmanager@mail.ch.’

The Jope Ransomware ransom note reads as follows:

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-7YSRbcuaMa
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:
datarestorehelp@firemail.cc
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
datahelp@iran.ir
Your personal ID:

How Does JOPE Ransomware Work?

One problem with JOPE is that it is very subtle. It works by opening a fake Windows Updater. Users are tricked into accepting the update, which installs the ransomware on computers. JOPE instantly gets to work encrypting files and folders. JOPE connects to the C2 (Command and Control Center" server to obtain a unique decryption key for the infected computer. A copy of the key is saved on the server, ready to be pulled in the event that victims pay the ransom.

JOPE encrypts data using a military-grade encryption method. It’s almost impossible to get files back without intervention from the threat actor. After encrypting all the relevant data, JOPE drops a ransom note on the desktop and in folders with infected files.

Is it Possible to Decrypt Files Without Paying the Ransom?

The JOPE ransom note makes things pretty clear; files and data are decrypted as soon as the ransom is paid, but if you don’t make the payment, then data will be lost permanently. The unfortunate truth is that threat actors aren’t lying when they say this. It could take years to brute force the encryption. The only way to get files back as they are is by paying the ransom.

That doesn’t mean it is your only choice, however. You can restore your files using a backup copy if you have one. You can also take steps to remove the ransomware from your computer, which you should do to prevent further infections. There is no guarantee that hackers will restore data after you make the payment. Restoring the files yourself using a backup is the only way to guarantee that you get your files back.

It may be possible to restore files using file recovery tools, but most ransomware is programmed to make this impossible. The easiest and safest way to restore your data would be to use a backup, so make sure you keep a regular backup just in case.

How Does JOPE Infect Computers?

The JOPE ransomware generally spreads through malicious downloads. The virus spreads through illegal pirated software and fake software updates in particular. Rather than downloading illegal software from shady sources, we recommend purchasing software legally to support software developers. It costs money to buy software legitimately, of course, but there are almost zero risks involved with doing so. That’s to say nothing of the fact that pirating software is illegal anyway.

Make sure to install a reliable antivirus program that protects your computer in real-time. Create regular backups of data in case of data loss too. Store backups online and on external hard drives. The more backups you have of your data, the better.