How to remove Hofos Ransomware and decrypt .hofos files

What is Hofos ransomware

Hofos – is a virus, that is able to lock all the personal and important for any user files. It will sneak into victim’s system, start the encoding procedure, then ask for big sum of money as a ransom. Once the payment is done, cyber crooks supposed to do their part of the deal, however there is no guarantee that they would help. The virus itself can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, email spam and malicious attachments, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged and infected installers. Use this guide to remove Hofos ransomware and decrypt .hofos files without paying anything.

The virus works like any other virus of this type. Hofos is trying to find way in a victim’s computer. In order to make a successful infiltration it will use fake updaters and installers or trojans in attachments of spam emails. Then the virus will start encoding procedure with AES encryption algorithms. Hofos ransomware uses .hofos extension to mark the encoded files. Then it will drop ransom note to dictate the terms of decryption. Ransom notes are _readme.txt and readme.txt. The content of ransom notes:

ATTENTION!
Don’t worry my friend, 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-mlQvroK6UO
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” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
vengisto@india.com
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
vengisto@firemail.cc
Your personal ID:
033Vvbsh8HaaVTB4x1YEJ5Z***

There are two solutions of this problem. First is to use special Removal Tool. Removal Tools delete all instances of malware by few clicks and help user to save time. Or you can use Manual Removal Guide, but you should know that it might be very difficult to remove Hofos ransomware manually without specialist’s help.

Hofos Removal Guide

1. Download Hofos Removal Tool.
2. Remove Hofos from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
3. How to restore files
4. How to protect PC from future infections.

How to remove Hofos ransomware automatically:

Download Norton Security Thor Home may help you to get rid of this virus and clean up your system. In case you need a proper and reliable antivirus, we recommend you to try it.

Manual Hofos Removal Guide

Here is step-by-step instructions to remove Hofos from Windows and Mac computers. Follow this steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to Hofos. First of all, you need to run system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.

Uninstall Hofos from Windows or Mac

Here you may find the list of confirmed related to the ransomware files and registry keys. You should delete them in order to remove virus, however it would be easier to do it with our automatic removal tool. The list:

x12.exe
Hofos.dll
_readme.txt
readme.txt

Windows 7/Vista:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Hofos by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows 8/8.1:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Hofos by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows 10:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Hofos by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows XP:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Hofos by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Mac OS:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press and Hold Shift button, before system will be loaded;
3. Release Shift button, when Apple logo appears;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Hofos by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

How to restore encrypted files

You can try to restore your files with special tools. You may find more detailed info on data recovery software in this article – recovery software. These programs may help you to restore files that were infected and encrypted by ransomware.

Restore data with Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery is able to find and restore different types of encrypted files, including removed emails.

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery
2. Choose drives and folders with your data, then press Scan.
3. Select all the files in a folder, then click on Restore button.
4. Manage export location. That’s it!

Download Stellar Data Recovery

Restore encrypted files using Recuva

There is an alternative program, that may help you to recover files – Recuva.

1. Run the Recuva;
2. Follow instructions and wait until scan process ends;
3. Find needed files, mark them and Press Recover button;

How to prevent ransomware infection?

It is always rewarding to prevent ransomware infection because of the consequences it may bring. There are a lot of difficulties in resolving issues with encoders viruses, that’s why it is very vital to keep a proper and reliable anti-ransomware software on your computer. In case you don’t have any, here you may find some of the best offers in order to protect your PC from disastrous viruses.

Malwarebytes

Download Norton Security

SpyHunter is a reliable antimalware removal tool application, that is able to protect your PC and prevent the infection from the start. The program is designed to be user-friendly and multi-functional.