Pola ransomware is known to deliver AZORULT password-stealer on the compromised computers and networks. That said, it will not only lock your personal files and prevent access to them, but it will also grab all your login credentials from browsers and transfer them to the attackers Command & Control server. In addition, this ransomware modifies Windows HOSTS file to block a list of domains on the infected host.

Ransom note suggests testing the decryption tool

To convince the victim to pay the ransom, the attackers suggest to decrypt one .pola file for free. The ransom note instructs to write to provided emails, include the personal ID attached at the end of the note, and attach one small encrypted file. However, they warn not to include file that has important information in it. The ransomware developers also suggest that if the victim writes to them within 72 hours, one will be eligible for 50% discount for the ransom price, meaning the decryption tools cost $490. If the victim waits longer than full 3 days, the ransom price will be $980. Typically, the ransomware operators want to receive ransoms to provided virtual wallet address in specific cryptocurrency. In the majority of cases, they demand money in Bitcoin currency. This helps them to avoid getting tracked down and caught. However, we do not recommend paying any money to cybercriminals as this doesn’t mean that you will receive anything from them. Besides, paying ransoms means keeping cybercrime industry thriving, and no one wants that. Finally, paying a ransom is not legal in certain countries. Our recommendation is to remove POLA ransomware virus as quickly as possible. We typically suggest using a powerful security tool capable of doing it, as well as eliminating the password-stealer mentioned earlier. In addition, we suggest scanning with RESTORO to eliminate virus damage on Windows OS files.

Learn how to avoid ransomware: common hideaways

Ransomware-type computer viruses are mostly distributed in several common ways, such as malicious email spam, infectious websites and fake pop-up ads, and illegal downloads. The latter method is known to be the primary distribution vector for variants of STOP/DJVU, including POLA ransomware, WBXD, COOS, QLKM and others. To infect users via illegal downloads, the ransomware operators typically name the virus as crack.exe or similar, insert it alongside specific software pack and upload these on various torrent-sharing websites for potential victims to discover. Alternatively, they can create a fake crack that has a function to download the malicious payload from external source and execute it on victim’s computer. Victims who look up for free ways to obtain paid software versions often end up on shady websites offering such downloads that can be landed via torrent-agents, such as uTorrent, eMule and similar. These programs do not check the security of the download, thus, users of these agents often ignore antivirus alerts about potentially malicious crack. As a consequence, opening such file can result in complete data corruption on the computer, plus additional damage such as installation of Trojans or backdoors. Ransomware-type viruses can also await in infected websites serving malicious payloads. Computer users who like to wander through insecure domains can accidentally click the wrong link and end up on infectious website. Such websites are often designed to leverage browser vulnerabilities and perform various attacks. Probably the most well-known, yet very successful malware distribution method is email spam. The attackers compose convincing messages urging the victim to open attached contents or links that hide malicious payload. Such emails can contain attachments of various type, such as .pdf, .doc, .ace, .img, .zip, .rar and others. Each of these can be exploited to land malware on victim’s computer. These days, cybercriminals use a variety of technologies to hide true presence of the email sender, such as email spoofing. This helps criminals to present a different email address of the sender rather than real one, which can be checked via “original contents” option in email clients. Our recommendation is to avoid opening emails originating from someone you do not know or didn’t expect to write you. For example, if you didn’t order anything online, do not open suspicious parcel delivery links sent to you. The attackers tend to call themselves representatives of UPS, DHL or DPD to trick the victim into opening the malicious ransomware file.

Remove POLA ransomware virus safely

You can find easy instructions how to remove POLA ransomware virus down below. Our experts have prepared a step-by-step guide for you to follow. To automatise the elimination procedure, consider using anti-virus or anti-malware of your choice. Once you complete POLA virus removal, you can focus all your attention on data decryption procedure. Now, you can find a list of tools to decrypt/repair encrypted files down below. Besides, there are explanations on decryptor’s messages and how to understand them. Do not forget to develop a habit of creating data backups regularly after this cyber attack. Finally, we recommend you to report cybercrime incidents via given authority reference pages. OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically. RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them. Read full review here.

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove POLA ransomware virus virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users Now, you can search for and remove POLA ransomware virus files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won’t be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense If you’re looking for an all-in-one system maintenance suite that has 7 core components providing powerful real-time protection, on-demand malware removal, system optimization, data recovery, password manager, online privacy protection and secure driver wiping technology. Therefore, due to its wide-range of capabilities, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense deserves Geek’s Advice approval. Get it now for 50% off. You may also be interested in its full review.

Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.

Decrypt POLA files

Fix and open large POLA files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. POLA ransomware virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like BPTO, ISWR, ISZA, BPSM, ZOUU, MBTF, ZNSM (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie. Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible. In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt POLA files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The POLA decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages: Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID] This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor’s database. No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals is impossible. Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future. If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn’t available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your POLA extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Victims of POLA ransomware virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can’t find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up “[your country name] report cyber crime”. This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities. Another recommendation is to contact your country’s or region’s federal police or communications authority.