Efdc ransomware (virus) - Decryption Steps Included
Efdc virus Removal Guide
What is Efdc ransomware?
Efdc ransomware is yet another version in the particular file-locker family that is non-decryptable
Efdc file virus is the ransomware locking files when the machine gets infected. The infiltration process is quick and happens when the pirating services[1] get used, so people can't notice the infiltration, in most cases. Once these common files like documents, images, video, or audio files get locked, the ransom note _readme.txt is delivered to your machine. The text file is placed in various folders with encrypted data, and on the desktop, the victim is reading the instructions thoroughly.
This is the version of a threat that already has around 330 different variants. DJVU ransomware is a family of the virus that encrypts the files you use every day. The infection checks for commonly used files, so the data is more valuable and more needed to recover. Once it infects your computer and those files get locked, the virus asks for $490 -$980 in Bitcoin as ransom and threatens to delete all your files if payment isn't made. The legitimacy and trust are attempted to build with the discount for the first 72 hours and with the offer for test decryption of one file.
Efdc virus is like other ransomware in this family, such as Orkf and Hoop. This type of malware encrypts popular file types and adds its own .efdc extension to all files. Then delivers the ransom demanding message via a text file:
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:
hxxps://we.tl/t-VCW326HODa
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:
manager@mailtemp.chReserve e-mail address to contact us:
managerhelper@airmail.cc
The encryption process[2] starts once the infection reaches the computer, so it might be quicker than you think and affect more than it seems. It is common for malicious programs to trigger the additional process window to mask encoding or different processes. Research shows that this virus triggers particular Windows Update pop-ups to fake that the system performs poorly for a reason.
| Name | Efdc ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | File-locking, cryptocurrency-extortion virus |
| Family | Djvu/STOP ransomware |
| Appendix | .efdc is the extension that gets placed on files after the initial filetype indicator |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt |
| Distribution | The payload of the infection gets added on the machine when game cheats, software cracks, and other pieces are downloaded from pirating platforms |
| Removal | Anti-malware tools are needed for thorough cleaning since the infection is one of the most dangerous threats |
| Repair | Affected parts on the system can be repaired with an app like FortectIntego |
Encryption and decryption explained
Djvu is not the new ransomware, making this Efdc version more dangerous than any other newly released ransomware. Creators of the threat are already developing improved variants of these threats, so there are many advantages that the infection has. Previous versions were decrypted, so the tool was released and helped a lot of victims.
However, creators managed to alter those flaws and released a more advanced, proved version of the code, so all the versions since 2019 cannot be decrypted easily. But there are some instances when the only offline ID method is used, and the existing tool works.
When the ransomware can't connect to its command and control servers while encrypting your files, it uses a built-in encryption key. The offline ID is generally easy to identify because different variants end in t1, with each one having its own unique private keys. This means that everyone who has had their files encrypted by this variant will have the same decryption key.
If the Efdc ransomware has a good connection to its command and control servers when it encrypts files, these servers generate random keys for every infected computer – unique victim. Since each computer has its own key, you can't use another one to decrypt your files in most cases.
A decrypter may be able to work around this with older variants if there's help from other computers; however, newer versions are not recoverable without further action since nothing is done about them even if they're offline or don't have an internet connection available. There are some hopeful cases when offline IDs still get used ruing such infections like the Efdc virus.
If you have infected your computer 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 was 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:
- “Decrypted!” will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully – they are now usable again.
- “Error: Unable to decrypt the file with ID:” means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
- “This ID appears to be an online ID; decryption is impossible” – you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.
Remove the threat to be able to restore .efdc files
STOP/Djvu tool is an effective decryption tool that will stop the ransomware from running, so you don't have to worry about your files being encrypted. However, it doesn't obliterate the ransomware — most Anti-Virus software detects these infections like the Efdc virus if installed on a computer. Still, there's no other way of detecting or removing it unless you scan for malware regularly with specialized security tools.
Sometimes these threats can block access to the software like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes, so the termination process is not easy. You might find a tip for the Safe Mode with Networking solutions below the article. This is the solution when the detection tool cannot find the threat because it is blocked from accessing the system and locating the malware payload. As we mentioned, removing the infection will not recover files that get locked during encryption.
The same goes for system data that is damaged or corrupted. Malware like this often affects pieces like DLLs, system directories, folders, registry. These are the parts of the machine that should never be manually repaired or altered by the user. It is important to recover the machine properly, so tools like FortectIntego can help you with that.
- Download the application by clicking on the link above
- 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.
Once the machine is properly restored and there are no traces of the malware, you can freely recover those encoded files yourself. Backups from the external drive would be the best option. Still, since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by Efdc ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently. Paying criminals is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool.
While this might sound terrible, not all is lost – data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.). Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you.
Therefore, we suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:
- Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
- Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.
Install data recovery software
- 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.
- 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.
Experts[3] note that removing the Efdc infection is crucial when you want to use the device later on. The computer needs to be virus-free because any restoring of the data can end up in the second or even double-encryption. It would be best if you kept those anti-malware tools like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes to save yourself the hassle of clearing the infection later.
Getting rid of Efdc virus. Follow these steps
Isolate the infected computer
Some ransomware strains aim to infect not only one computer but hijack the entire network. As soon as one of the machines is infected, malware can spread via the network and encrypt files everywhere else, including Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. NAS devices are commonly compromised via reused administrator credentials and remote access services, and attackers may also delete existing snapshots. If your computer is connected to a network, it is important to isolate it to prevent re-infection after ransomware removal is complete.
In modern environments, ransomware often spreads using stolen credentials, remote management tools, VPN connections, and cloud synchronization services, not only through shared network drives.
The easiest way to disconnect a PC from everything is simply to plug out the ethernet cable. This does not disconnect wireless networks, VPN connections, or cloud services, which must also be disabled separately. However, in the corporate environment, this might be extremely difficult to do (also would take a long time). In many organizations, devices are centrally managed, and network isolation is typically performed by IT or security teams using endpoint security or device management tools. The method below will disconnect from all the networks, including local and the internet, isolating each of the machines involved.
On modern Windows systems, network connections can also be disabled through the Settings app or automatically isolated using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools.
- Type in Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter
- Go to Network and Internet
- Click Network and Sharing Center
- On the left, pick Change adapter settings
- Right-click on your connection (for example, Ethernet), and select Disable
- Confirm with Yes.
If you are using some type of cloud storage you are connected to, you should disconnect from it immediately. It is also advisable to disconnect all the external devices, such as USB flash sticks, external HDDs, etc. Once the malware elimination process is finished, you can connect your computers to the network and internet, as explained above, but by pressing Enable instead. Before reconnecting, credentials should be reset, persistence mechanisms checked, and backups verified to ensure reinfection does not occur.
Restore Windows "hosts" file to its original state
Some ransomware might modify Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing certain websites online. For example, Djvu ransomware variants add dozens of entries containing URLs of security-related websites, such as 2-spyware.com. Each of the entries means that users will not be able to access the listed web addresses and will receive an error instead.
Here's an example of “hosts” file entries that were injected by ransomware:
In order to restore your ability to access all websites without restrictions, you should either delete the file (Windows will automatically recreate it) or remove all the malware-created entries. If you have never touched the “hosts” file before, you should simply delete it by marking it and pressing Shift + Del on your keyboard. For that, navigate to the following location:
C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a lucrative, highly illegal business, and authorities are actively targeting ransomware operators. The level of investigation and follow-up depends on the country, the scale of the incident, and whether the attack is linked to known ransomware groups. To increase the likelihood of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. In many cases, reports are used primarily for intelligence gathering, trend analysis, and victim support rather than immediate identification of attackers.
Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help stop the cybercriminal activities and catch the threat actors. Reporting does not guarantee investigation or recovery of data, but it contributes to broader efforts to track ransomware campaigns. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Relevant details may also include affected systems, ransom demands, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and any communication with the attackers. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, encrypted files, or malware executables would be beneficial.
Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:
- USA – Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
- United Kingdom – ActionFraud
- Canada – Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia – ScamWatch
- New Zealand – ConsumerProtection
- Germany – Polizei
- France – Ministère de l'Intérieur
If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
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:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
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:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- 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).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- 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.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Efdc and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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.
- ^ Software Cracks: A Great Way to Infect Your PC. Krebsonsecurity. In-depth security news.
- ^ Encryption. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Lesvirus. Lesvirus. Spyware related news.