Gosw File Virus (.gosw Ransomware) Removal and Decryption

The Gosw is a fabled and dangerous computer virus detected as a very infamous STOP/Djvu Ransomware. This cunning malware easily encrypts files on the compromised computer. Then appends the “.gosw” extension to the last of the names of encrypted files. The contagious power of this nasty virus is very high because it uses a powerful encryption algorithm. That’s why users can’t restore their encrypted files without the decryption key.

Files locked by this virus get modified, for example, the file “work.docx” will get converted into “work.docx.gosw” after the encryption. This malware asks the victims to contact cyberhackers through support@fishmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc email addresses. It also leaves a ransom note “_readme.txt” on the infected computer.

What is Gosw Ransomware?

Gosw is a cunning virus designed to take all the files, hostage, on an infected PC by using powerful encryption. It is a data-locker infection program that threatens the users to pay ransom money to decrypt their files. This virus is capable to target all versions of Windows systems without the consent of the owner. Once installed, this dubious malware scans the complete system for files such as photos, documents, videos, etc.

Then after it will start the encryption of all the files stored on that machine. Then add its own malicious extensions to the file names as suffixes. This is the marking of encoding performed on all the files. These dubious threats are able to encrypt almost all types of file formats normally stored on Windows computers.

This nasty Gosw file virus uses an extremely secure and powerful encryption algorithm. There is no way to break this encoding unless you have the decryption key. Hackers take benefit of this and force users to pay hefty ransom money through Bitcoin. With the increase in cryptocurrency, malware creators get lots of options for security. There is no way to trace back the person who is getting the money.

This perilous virus is a strain of an old malware infection that has more than 550 versions. So it is needless to say that hackers behind this infection have experience in torturing users for the extortion fee. This virus is programmed to erase all the shadow files and system restore points. So that users cannot avoid this malware or rescue their files without paying the decryption fees.

Is my PC infected by Gosw File Virus?

Upon infection, this ransomware encrypts all the files on the infected machine and marks them with .Gosw file virus extension. If all the files on your computer appear with the same extension and you are not able to access any of your files then your PC is unfortunately infected by this virus.

If you will look carefully then you will find the ransom note on your desktop and in all the folders on your system. Moreover, if you will try to bring new files to your system by using a USB drive, CD, or DVD. In addition to these, if you download anything from the Internet, you will find that they get encrypted as well.

Gosw Ransomware: Threat Analysis

Name	Gosw File Virus
Type	Ransomware
Threat Level	High (Restrict access to all your files).
Extension	.Gosw
Family	Stop/Djvu Ransomware
Short Description	It encrypts your data by adding “.Gosw” file virus extension to file names and demands ransom money for the decryption key.
Symptoms	You cannot access any files on your PC and you will find a Ransom note asking for money.
Distribution	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, spam emails, cracked software, illegal patches
Removal	Download SpyHunter 5 Anti-Malware
Recovery	Download Stellar Data Recovery

Gosw ransomware file encryption process

This virus uses two types of encryption methods, one is online and the other offline. When this virus hit your system and your PC is connected to the network. Then it can directly connect to a remote server and create a unique ID to encrypt your data.

This method falls under the online encryption methods. The second method is when your system gets attacked and your PC is not connected to the Internet. Then it uses its predefined ID to encrypt your files. This method is called offline encryption. In both these cases, your files are locked by the same algorithm.

With the offline method of encryption, it might be possible to recover your files through a generic decryptor. since it is the latest version of the malware, there is no free decryption available yet. But in the case of Online decryption, there is no way to restore your files. Until you have a backup of your data or you use any data recovery software.

Victims of the Gosw virus should be aware that after all the promises made by this ransomware. Most people don’t get a decryptor even after paying the ransom money. It is a scam only planned to cheat innocent users. So hackers are not really motivated to unlock your files even after getting paid. The fact is, this nasty malware is also known to drop password-stealing malware on the infected system. Which can steal your financial information and you can become a victim of identity theft and bank fraud.

The Ransom note “_readme.txt” contains the following text :

Gosw File Virus distribution methods

It is a dangerous threat that uses several tricks for its widespread distribution. Security researchers have found that software bundling is one of the biggest sources of malware distribution. Creators of this infection put their malicious payload into several freeware installers, software cracks, keygens, pirated games, illegal patches tools for spoofing the purchase of copyrighted materials like KMSPico, and others. In these cases, users disable their security programs to install these programs that give Gosw File Virus complete protection.

Browsing to porn/torrent sites, and sharing files over insecure networks are some other methods through which malware attacks the computer. Hackers also use spam email attachments which are quite successful and often used methods to drop malicious codes on victimized computers. Users are advised to always avoid scam email attachments. Not only this they should also avoid downloading pirated stuff to protect their computers from threats like Gosw Ransomware.

How To Remove Gosw Ransomware

Gosw File Virus is a cunning computer malware, Which has the potential to harm your system in different ways. Although this virus enters your computer alone, after entering it immediately summons other dangerous threats and malware. Then it completely disables your computer and by the time you find out it is probably too late. It is especially important to note, that it may have spread its copies under different names at different locations of the infected system. We should not ignore this virus at all because the longer it stays, the more it will increase our difficulties. It would be appropriate to delete this virus as soon as possible, we can remove this virus in two ways.

1. Automatic Removal
2. Manual Removal method

Now it is completely up to you which method you prefer Automatic Removal Method or the Manual Removal method. We have given complete information about both in this guide but our team always prefers the Automatic Removal Method. The manual removal method is a bit difficult and it can increase your problems, so go with it only if you are an expert otherwise Automatic Removal Method is best for you.

Automatic Gosw File Virus Removal

Gosw File Virus is a dangerous virus that encrypts all types of data on the infected computer. It also makes various changes to the system that causes the failure of other important programs. It is not an easy task to find and remove this manually. Such threats normally create several copies at different locations on the infected computer. Hence it is quite important to delete all those files at once to permanently delete the malware.

SpyHunter 5 Anti-Malware is a powerful and advanced malware removal software. It can detect all hidden threats and malware on your computer. You just have to install the program and scan your system threats. It can easily eliminate Trojan, Ransomware, Malware, Viruses, Worms, Rootkits, Adware, Browser Hijacker, PUPs, and many other threats. It also provides your computer real-time protection from threats and offers one-on-one support for custom malware removal.

• First of all, click on the below button to download the SpyHunter 5 Anti-Malware software.

• Now press twice on the installer file then clicks “Yes” to install the software.

• Launch the Anti-Malware software and press the “Start Scan Now” button to scan your computer.

• The “SpyHunter 5″ application will take some time to detect all hidden malware and viruses on your system.

• Finally, hit the “Next” button to see the final results and remove Gosw Ransomware and other malicious infections.

Amazing Features Of Automatic Malware Scanner::–

SpyHunter 5 Anti-malware is ingenious, which means simple-to-use Anti-Malware software. It is a very powerful protection tool, that protects your computer from all kinds of viruses and malware. If you are looking for strong Anti-Malware for your PC, then it would be a good option for you.

1. Malware Detection & Removal – Detect and remove viruses and malware.
2. Custom Scan – This feature gives you the freedom to scan any part of your system particularly to find hidden threats including external hard drives or USB drives.
3. Real-Time Protection – Advanced system guard feature has malware-blocking technology which helps protect your PC against malware attacks, threats, and other objects.
4. Technical Support – It is one of the best features that provides’24×7′ technical help to the users of custom malware fixes, specific to unique malware problems.

Recover Gosw Virus Files

Guys if your data is encrypted and you are not able to use it and you want to decrypt all your encrypted data by yourself without any ransom money then you do not need to panic at all because of Stellar Data Recovery software. Using this, you can restore all your data by yourself, we have given the software link below, you just click on it and follow the process mentioned we mentioned below.

• First of all download the Stellar Data Recovery software on your computer.

• Install the application, launch it, and select the type of data you want to recover then click the Next button.

• Select the folder location, Drive, or volume you want to scan for data then click on the Scan button.

• After scanning, select the files and click on the Recover button to save your recovered files.

Remove Gosw Ransomware Manually

Important Note:- For the safety of your PC, before you start the manual removal, kindly confirm the following things:

1. You have good experience in removing viruses and malware by manual Technique.
2. Your computer techniques must reach the level of system experts
3. It is also very important that You should very friendly with Registry. and clearly know what harmful consequences may occur for your mistake.
4. Also capable to reverse the wrong operations during manual removal.

Start your computer in safe mode

• First, press and hold the “Windows Key & R” buttons at once.
• Run Box will appear on your screen then write msconfig and press the OK button.
• Now, the System Configuration Window will get opened, go to the Boot tab.
• You have to select the Safe Boot option and then click on the network box.
• Finally, click on the Apply button and then hit the OK button.

Stop Malicious Process From Task Manager

• First, press and hold the “Windows Key & R” buttons at once.
• Run Box will appear on your screen then write taskmgr and press the OK button.
• Windows Task Manager will get opened on your screen.
• Find any malicious or unknown process that might be related to the virus.
• Now click on that task and you will see the End Task button, click on it.

Remove Virus related IP addresses from Hosts’ Files

• First, press and hold the “Windows Key & R” buttons at once.
• Run Box will appear, write or paste C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc and press the OK button.
• You will see the Windows Host file in the folder, open it with Notepad.
• Go to the end of the test and remove all the IP addresses below the local host.
• Finally, save the host file on your desktop and replace the Windows host file.

Uninstall Gosw Ransomware from Control Panel

• First, press and hold the “Windows Key & R” buttons at once.
• Run Box will appear on your screen then write Control Panel and press the OK button.
• Now click on Uninstall a program option under the Programs menu.
• Look for any malicious or virus-related programs then click on Uninstall button.

Remove Virus from Windows Registry Editor

• First, press and hold the “Windows Key & R” buttons at once.
• Run Box will appear on your screen, write Regedit and press the OK button.
• You will see the Registry Editor window on your computer screen.
• Now, press the “CTRL & F” keys and type the virus name, then press the Find Next button.
• Delete all the virus-related entries one by one from the registry editor.

Remove Gosw Virus via system restore

• First, press and hold the “Windows Key & R” buttons at once.
• Run Box will appear on your screen, write cmd and press the OK button.
• Command Prompt will appear on your screen, write cd restore then hit the Enter button.
• Now write rstrui.exe in the command prompt and hit Enter button.
• The System Restore window will get open on your system.
• Now you have to click on the Next button and choose a System Restore point.
• Proceed by clicking on the Next button and finally press the Yes button.

Prevent threats like Gosw Ransomware in the Future

To avoid viruses and malware coming back and prevent attacks from other infections, follow these basic rules while using your computer:

1. You must always choose Custom Installation, whenever you try to install any applications;
2. Uncheck always hidden options that attempt to download or install any additional applications or programs;
3. Before opening any email scan the downloaded files first;
4. kindly Don’t try to visit Torrent/adult/porn websites because they are the most prominent source of malware.
5. never try to update any app from nonofficial websites or from any unknown pop-ups that suddenly appear on your computer screen.