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STOP Ransomware is a plague of 2017-2023, tenacious virus based on encryption technology, Qotr Ransomware is a recent version of it. Ransomware uses the AES encryption algorithm to encode important files and extorts a ransom in Bitcoins for decryption. This malware aims at western countries mostly, but there've been thousands of infections detected in other parts of the world. Qotr Ransomware uses the same patterns but adds different extensions to modify the files. The version that we observe today appends .qotr extension. The crypto-virus affects the user's valuable data: photos, videos, and documents, it takes hostage potentially critical files. At the same time, it keeps Windows system files intact. All recent versions used a ransom note file called _readme.txt, and this variation is not an exception. All samples belong to the same authors, as they use the same contact details: support@freshmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc.

Qoqa Ransomware (that is a part of a large family of STOP/Djvu Ransomware) is an obnoxious virus, that encrypts files on computers using the AES encryption algorithm, makes them unavailable, and demands money in exchange for so-called "decryptor". Files processed by the latest version of STOP Ransomware, in particular, can be distinguished by .qoqa extensions. The analysis showed that the cryptographic installer loaded with the "crack" or adware is installed under an arbitrary name in the %LocalAppData%\ folder. When executed, it loads four executable files there: 1.exe, 2.exe, 3.exe and updatewin.exe. The first of them is responsible for neutralizing Windows Defender, the second is for blocking access to information security sites. After the malware is launched, a fake message appears on the screen that says about installing the update for Windows. In fact, at this moment, almost all user files on the computer are encrypted. In each folder containing encrypted documents, a text file (_readme.txt) appears, in which attackers explain the operation of the virus. They offer to pay them a ransom for decryption, urging them not to use third-party programs, as this can lead to the deletion of all documents.

A number of users raised concerns towards the 0xc190011f error, which appears when trying to download and install new Windows updates. This issue has mostly been evident in affecting Windows 10 users. As a rule, the error is accompanied by the following message: "There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: [update name] – error 0xc190011f". The most common reasons for its appearance are usually rare system update glitches, corrupted integral file elements, faulty Windows update components, incorrect regional settings, or third-party software conflicts. If you are facing the 0xc190011f issue, it is likely that you will fix it by the end of this guide. Simply try each solution in the sequence below until the issue becomes resolved eventually.

Roghe is a ransomware virus targeting personal data of victims. After the malware infects a targeted system, it starts encryption of potentially important files making them inaccessible until a decryption key is retrieved. During the encryption process, Roghe Ransomware assigns the .enc extension to infected files. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will turn to 1.pdf.enc and so forth with other affected files. Once all files become enciphered, the virus changes the desktop wallpapers and force-opens a pop-up window that features decryption guidelines. The text featured on newly-assigned wallpapers lets users know they have been infected and encourages them to follow instructions from the opened pop-up window. In addition, it also features a QR code leading to more information about the malware. The "Roghe Decryptor" window says victims have 15 minutes to retrieve the key and paste it for unlocking access to files - otherwise, the encrypted files will be deleted forever. It also says that within 20 minutes operating system will be inaccessible, essentially becoming locked.

New wave of STOP Ransomware infection continues with Qowd Ransomware, that appends .qowd extensions. STOP Ransomware was first detected in 2018 and has since evolved into one of the most prevalent types of ransomware. Those ".qowd" extensions are added to encrypted files in the end of February 2023. This tricky virus uses the AES encryption algorithm to encode users' important information. As a rule, Qowd Ransomware attacks photos, videos, and documents - data, that people value. The malware developers extort ransom and promise to provide a decryption key in return. Full decryption of lost data is possible in a minority of cases, if an offline encryption key was used, otherwise, use instructions on the page to recover enciphered files. The ransomware also creates a ransom note (_readme.txt) that informs the victim about the attack and demands payment in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies in exchange for the decryption key.

In this guide, we will cover a number of ways to update graphics drivers (and other drivers) on Windows 11 – both manually and automatically with the help of third-party software like Driver Booster. Keeping drivers updated is a crucial task that should be on the list of each user working on any Windows version. Graphics drivers, which are especially important for ensuring better and flawless performance in video games, thus deserve a significant reason for getting updated. Although our guide is dedicated specifically to updating graphics drivers, some presented instructions can be equally used for keeping other drivers up-to-date as well. The guidelines are also quite similar to other Windows versions with only slight differences, so feel free to use them there as well. With that said, let's explore the alternatives to update your drivers down below.

Iotr Ransomware (sometimes called STOP Ransomware or DjVu Ransomware) is a wide-spread encryption virus, that first appeared in December 2017. Since then, lots of technical and design changes took place, and a few generations of malware changed. Ransomware uses the AES-256 (CFB-mode) encryption algorithm to encode user's files, and after this last version (appeared in the end of February 2023) appends .iotr extensions. After encryption, virus creates a text file _readme.txt, which is called "ransom note", where hackers disclose ransom amount, contact information, and instructions to pay it. STOP Ransomware with .iotr file extensions use following e-mails: support@freshmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc, just like dozens of its predecessors.

Kangaroo is a ransomware infection released by developers behind earlier file-encryptors, such as Apocalypse, Fabiansomware, and Esmeralda. Although this file-encryptor was actively circulating in 2021, some users may still end up penetrated by it these days. The purpose of malware within this category is to encrypt potentially important data and extort money for decryption from victims. The feature that makes Kangaroo stand out among other common ransomware infections is that it configures registry values to display a ransom message prior to entering the Windows log-in screen. Immediately after logging into the system, it also displays a fake screen with the same ransom message but this time with a dedicated field for inserting a password to unlock it. During encryption, Kangaroo also assigns the .crypted_file extension and creates identical ransom messages in form of text notes. Such text notes get created additionally to each encrypted file and are named based on the post-encryption file's name (like here 1.pdf.crypted_file.Instructions_Data_Recovery.txt).