Cceo ransomware (virus) - Recovery Instructions Included

What is Cceo ransomware?

Cceo ransomware is a file-locking malware that demands bitcoin payments

Cceo is a ransomware-type virus that locks all personal data to provide monetary gain to its authors

Cceo is a ransomware-type virus that belongs to a broad family of Djvu, with more than 500 variants already in circulation. Just like any other malware of this type, it operates by locking all pictures, videos, documents, databases, and other files with the help of a powerful encryption algorithm. As a result, all the files located on the system lose their icons and are appended with the .cceo extension – they become inaccessible to the victims.

As this might come as a shock to users, the realization that something sinister has happened quickly after the infection, as the _readme.txt ransom note is opened right away. It says that users should pay $980 worth of bitcoin (with a 50% discount available if contacted within 72 hours) to restore their files to normal. Djvu malware authors always communicate with their victims via email, and this time support@bestyourmail.ch and supportsys@airmail.cc are provided.

Even though the used RSA^[1] algorithm is extremely effective, we do not recommend cooperating with Cceo ransomware authors. Instead, check out the details about malware's effect on your system, and remove it promptly before attempting to use alternative methods for data recovery we provide below.

Cceo ransomware overview

Djvu is among the longest-running successful ransomware strains in the wild. Its roots can be tracked to 2017 when malware was still being branded as STOP. Since then, cybercriminals have been hard at work, with more than half a thousand versions released so far. Over the years, there has been a fierce battle between cybercriminals and security researchers who have previously found ways to recover victims' files for free. Unfortunately, new versions are considerably more secure.

When it comes to the ransomware note of the Cceo virus, it does not differ much from its predecessors. The message reads:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, 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-sac7bmVIKJ
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:
support@bestyourmail.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
supportsys@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:

While it may seem that crooks are rather friendly and are even willing to give a 50% discount for the decryptor, it is not recommended to trust them. Even though victims reported receiving the required keys, keep in mind that there's never a guarantee that cybercriminals will provide you with one.

Upon infiltration, Cceo ransomware delivers a note from cybercriminals

Malware creators only care about themselves and receiving the payment, they might even forget to send you the decryption key you so desperately need. Likewise, the FBI warns that paying ransomware developers is not the best option to handle the situation.^[2]

Instead, we recommend following the Cceo removal and then using alternative data recovery solutions, as explained below. It is important to note that the elimination process should be performed correctly, or the data loss might be permanent.

Malware removal explained

The first thing you should know is that your device is currently infected with ransomware, and it may continue encrypting files or allow other malicious programs into your system if not taken care of. To make sure that all the malware components are terminated, you should employ SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes security software so that it can automatically find compromised sectors on the system and remove them effectively.

Before proceeding with the full system scan, you should ensure that your device is no longer connected to the internet or a network. You can achieve that by simply unplugging your Ethernet cable or disconnecting from the WiFi.^[3]

Note that ransomware might sometimes self-destruct after performing its main task of data encryption, so the security software might not detect anything. Nonetheless, if your scan results are clear, rest assured that your device is no longer compromised and is safe to use.

File recovery solutions

When it comes to encrypted data, things get quite a bit more complicated. Cceo virus uses a combination of RSA and AES encryption algorithms, which means that it is extremely secure and can't be broken. Even though it means that the only ones in possession of the decryption keys are cybercriminals behind the virus, there are a few methods that may help at least some people with data recovery.

Note: proceed only before making a copy of all your valuable data that was encrypted.

If your computer got infected with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone – it only works if data is locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers.

Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately. Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files – one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.

• Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
• After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up – click it.
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
• Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
  
  
• After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
• The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
  
• Press Decrypt.
  
  

From here, there are three available outcomes:

1. “Decrypted!” will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully – they are now usable again.
2. “Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID:” means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
3. “This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible” – you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.

Even if your files were encrypted with an online ID, you should not give up yet. Data recovery software might be able to help you, and you may restore at least some of your files.

• Download Data Recovery Pro.
• Double-click the installer to launch it.
  
• Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
• As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
• Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
• Press Next.
• At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
• Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
• You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
• Press Recover to retrieve your files.

Repair system damage

Malware can damage some system files, making users reinstall the operating system and avoid further stability issues. Instead, we strongly recommend you try using a computer repair app – it is a perfect solution for Windows remediation after a malware attack.

• Download FortectIntego
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.