Djvuq ransomware (Virus Removal Instructions) - Free Guide

Djvuq virus Removal Guide

What is Djvuq ransomware?

Djvuq ransomware is file locking virus that encrypts documents, photos, databases and other data for blackmail purposes

Djvuq ransomwareDjvuq ransomware is a data encoding malware that belongs to STOP ransomware family.

Djvuq ransomware is a cryptovirus that uses RSA encryption algorithm to lock up data and demands ransom for its release. The malware is a part of STOP family and was spotted in the mid-December first, together with similar variants like .djvu, .djvuu, .udjvu. .uudjvu, and .djvus. Once the personal files are locked, and .djvuq extension is added, the virus contacts C&C[1] server to send out the unique decryption key and upload the ransom note on victim's PC. The message from the attackers, _openme.txt, explains the situation and urges users to contact them via the restoredjvu@india.com or restoredjvu@firemail.cc email to receive further instructions. At the time of the writing, there is no free decryption tool for Djvuq ransomware available, although there are several other methods that can be tried to recover the encoded data.

Name Djvuq
Type Ransomware
Family STOP ransomware
Cipher RSA
File extension .djvuq
Contact email restoredjvu@india.com or restoredjvu@firemail.cc
Purpose Digital money extortion
Decryptable? No
Elimination Use reputable anti-malware software
Optimization We advise scanning the PC with FortectIntego after malware removal

Djvuq is a file locking virus, which means that photos, music, videos and similar personal data become inaccessible after the infection. For example, a file named picture.jpg turns into picture.jpg.djvuq and prevents users from opening it. Unfortunately, Djvuq ransomware removal will not recover data, and no official decryptor is yet created.

As soon as Djvuq encrypts data, it drops a ransom note into each of the affected folders which states the following:

———————— ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED ———————–
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files documents, photos, databases 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 do we give to you?
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 look online overview decrypt tool:
https://vimeo.com/306940477
Don't try to use third-party decrypt tools because it will destroy your files.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours.
————————————————– ————————————————– ———–
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
restoredjvu@india.com
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
restoredjvu@firemail.cc
Your personal ID:

As you can see, crooks offer an alleged discount of 50% if they are contacted within the first 72 hours. However, many experts[2] and malware researchers do not recommend contacting hackers, as they might fail to send you the decryptor and you will end up losing your money. Additionally, the payment will support Djvuq ransomware and prompt criminals to create more malware in the future.

While no official decryptor for the virus is available yet, we suggest you remove Djvuq ransomware from your machine immediately and ignore malware authors' demands. You will find all the instructions below.

For file recovery, you should use backups. If you do not possess any, you should try data recovery tools that might be able to help you, although chances are not that high. Later on, you should scan your computer with FortectIntego or similar repair software, merely to make sure that .djvuq virus damage is eliminated entirely.

Djvuq virusDjvuq ransomware is a file locking virus that demands ransom to be paid for file release. While no official decryptor exists yet, malware elimination should be performed immediately.

Stay safe online by protecting your PC using security software

Users often underestimate the importance of online security and fail to use security tools, open spam emails or casually visit high-risk websites. Unfortunately, such activity can quickly result in ransomware infection, and users are caught off guard without backups available.

Therefore, these several tips should help you stay safe online:

  • Download and install anti-malware software with real-time protection feature;
  • Backup your files on a regular basis;
  • When opening an email from an unknown source, make sure it is legitimate first. Phishing emails often include attachments that carry the payload of ransomware;
  • Keep your system and software up to date, and vulnerabilities[3] are often exploited by criminals to inject malware;
  • Avoid using torrent, file-sharing and other suspicious websites;
  • Beware of fake updates. Visit official websites to update your software and never trust random pop-ups.

Get rid of Djvuq ransomware using powerful anti-malware

As malware authors keep improving their malicious code and release new variants, not all security software tools can keep up with pace immediately. Therefore, there is a possibility that your security software might not be able to detect and remove Djvuq virus.

We recommend using a few different AV engines to make sure the threat is gone (note that you should not use security software that conflicts with each other at the same time). As soon as Djvuq ransomware removal is complete, you can try to recover your data from a backup but by using third-party recovery solutions. You will see all our recommendations below.

Offer
do it now!
Download
Fortect Happiness
Guarantee
Download
Intego Happiness
Guarantee
Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Djvuq virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

To safely remove Djvuq ransomware, enter Safe Mode with Networking the following way:

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove Djvuq using System Restore

System Restore can also be useful wen dealing with ransomware:

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Djvuq. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that Djvuq removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Djvuq from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

While no official recovery tool is yet available, we do not recommend paying ransom. You might simply lose not only your files, but also the money. Instead, use alternative software that may help you. Follow the below instructions.

If your files are encrypted by Djvuq, you can use several methods to restore them:

Try out Data Recovery Pro for file decryption

Data Recovery Pro is a reliable file recovery software that may help ransomware victims.

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Djvuq ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions feature might help you get your data back

This method is only usable if you had a System Restore point created before the virus struck.

  • Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
  • Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
  • Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

ShadowExplorer can be the answer

This tool is perfect if Djvuq virus failed to remove Shadow Volume Copies.

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

No decryptor is yet available.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Djvuq and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

 

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.

Contact Lucia Danes
About the company Esolutions

References