Hets ransomware – a dangerous computer infection that might render your pictures, videos and other data permanently useless
Hets ransomware is one of the variants of the prominent STOP/Djvu virus family. The malware, just as its predecessors, started attacking thousands of users worldwide, locking their files, and asking for the ransom to be paid for the decryption tool. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to decrypt .hets files, as this version is using a sophisticated RSA encryption method, which requires a unique set of keys to decrypt it. Fortunately, there is a chance of data recovery with the help of Emsisoft's decryptor or third-party software.
Upon infiltration, Hets ransomware performs numerous changes to the system in order to perform the encryption process uninterrupted and often displays a fake Windows update pop-up. As soon as malware locks files, it drops a ransom note _readme.txt – a message from the attackers behind the Hets virus.
This note notifies users that all their personal data like pictures, music, videos, documents, etc., are no longer accessible, although they also mention that they can recover them – not without the help of cybercrooks, of course. As a no surprise, hackers ask victims to contact them through datarestorehelp@firemail.cc or datahelp@iran.ir email and, if it is done within 72 hours of infection, the price for the Hets ransomware decryptor is promised to be $490 in Bitcoin, while later it will increase to $980.
| Name | Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus |
| Type | Cryptovirus |
| Belongs to | Hets is a member of one of the most prolific malware families – Djvu/STOP |
| Cipher used | Malware uses asymmetric encryption algorithm RSA to lock all files on the device and all its connected drives/networks |
| File extension | All non-system and non-executable files are appended with .hets marker and can no longer be accessed. Example of the encrypted file: sample.jpg.hets |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt is dropped into each of the affected files' folders – it explains to victims what happened and how to proceed next |
| Contact | Users are asked to contact crooks via datarestorehelp@firemail.cc or datahelp@iran.ir |
| Ransom size | Hackers behind STOP/Djvu always ask users to pay $490 in Bitcoin, which doubles to $980 if contact is not established within 72 hours of the infection |
| Distribution | Hets virus is mostly distributed on torrent and warez websites, as well as software cracks and keygens |
| Detection |
Malware is detected by several vendors on Virus Total:[1]
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| Malware removal | While there is a chance that ransomware might self-delete post-infection, users should be aware that it might bring other malware (previously, this malware family was known to be delivering AZORult Trojan) or insert modules that steal sensitive information. For malicious components and malware removal, victims should scan their machines with reputable anti-malware |
| File decryption | Besides obvious recovery methods (backups), there are several other options that victims can try, including third-party recovery software, Emsisoft's decrypter (which only works under certain circumstances) or Dr.Web's paid decryption service (might only be useful for certain file types – MS Office documents, PDFs or others) |
| System recovery & optimization | It is known that ransomware intrudes vital system files and databases, sometimes resulting in system crashes and errors even after the payload is terminated. To fix such problems, we recommend using FortectIntego |
Hets ransomware is a member of one of the most prolific crypto-malware around, as it infected thousands of users so far. Just as its other versions (Grod, Mbed, Rote, Zobm, and others), the malware mainly uses software cracks to infect hosts and lock all their files, although it does not exempt it from other infection vectors, including:
- Exploits[2]
- Badly protected RDP connections
- Spam emails
- Fake updates
- Web injects, etc.
To prevent ransomware infection in the future, stay away from illegal software installers/cracks, backup all your data, employ reputable anti-malware, update your OS/programs on time and be overall more careful when browsing the web.
While many ransomware infections simply self-delete after performing the necessary tasks and the file locking process, Hets virus may leave secondary modules that are used by the attackers for data-stealing on the host device. Additionally, variants of Djvu are also known to be distributed along with trojans like AZORult. Therefore, it is necessary to remove Hets ransomware to prevent additional negative consequences like data theft and money loss.
For Hets ransomware removal, you should use powerful anti-malware software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, and scan your system in Safe Mode with Networking, as it would prevent malware from operating temporarily. If you have any troubles after virus termination (such as system crashes or errors), we suggest using FortectIntego for fixing the damage done to Windows by Hets ransomware.
Hets ransomware heavily modifies Windows system settings and affects several processes
Hets ransomware targets all versions of Windows and begins its system changes immediately. Before performing any actions, the malicious executable c652.tmp.exe or similar (the name is usually randomized) is placed into %Temp%, %AppData%, or %LocalAppData% folder.
From there, Hets virus begins to extract all the necessary files and prepare the system for the file encryption process. For example, it deletes Shadow Volume Copies by using “vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet” command to prevent instantaneous recovery using automatic Windows backups. Additionally, the malware heavily impacts the Windows registry in order to run without interruptions.
Hets ransomware then establishes a communication with a remote server (although this process is known to fail due to C2[3] being offline in many cases – this is exactly why data decryption is possible in some cases) to retrieve a generated key for the encrypted files.
After data encryption, the malware modifies Windows hosts file to prevent users from accessing security-related websites where they could get help. Therefore, it is important to use another device when trying to deal with the Hets ransomware removal process. Users should go to the following location and delete the hosts file if they want to access the internet without restrictions once again:
- C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\
Decryption possibilities
File encryption time might vary, as it highly depends on the number of files present on the computer and the connected networks. To remove suspicions and prevent users from shutting down the machine, Hets ransomware shows users a fake Windows update window.
After encryption, the _readme.txt note provides the following information to victims:
ATTENTION!
Don’t worry, 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-4NWUGZxdHc
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:
datarestorehelp@firemail.ccReserve e-mail address to contact us:
datahelp@iran.ir
While hackers behind Hets virus allegedly provide test decryption service and even offer a 50% discount, users should not trust them that easily. After all, they are in the illegal business that strives to blackmail victims into paying money. Besides, there is always a chance that crooks will not send a working Hets ransomware decryptor. So, what should the victims do to recover files? There are a few alternative possibilities.
Hets ransomware belongs to the newer category of Djvu, which uses a more sophisticated encryption process, consequently making STOPDecrypter useless – the tool could previously help users whose data was locked with a hard-coded key (an offline ID). However, security researchers at Emsisoft announced in October 2019 some very good news to ransomware victims, as they managed to crack 148 variants of the virus, enabling users to recover locked data for free. However, they also need a file pair of healthy and the encrypted file for this method to work.[4]
Unfortunately, Hets ransomware does not belong to these decryptable 148 variants. Luckily, users might still have a chance by using Emsisoft's decryptor – it works for victims whose data was encrypted with hard-coded key (offline ID).
There is also a chance of recovering at least some files by contacting Dr.Web (paid service) or using third-party recovery software as explained in our data recovery section below.
Anti-malware scan is always necessary when dealing with Hets ransomware infection
While there is a chance that Hets virus will self-delete after the file encryption process, there might be other modules left on the system (or even additional malware). Therefore, it is important to ensure that the system is clean before performing the file recovery process.
Experts warn,[5] however, that attempting data recovery without acquiring the RSA key might permanently damage it, so it is necessary to make backups of encrypted files. Simply copy all the important data to a Flash drive or virtual storage like Google Drive. After that, you can start the Hets ransomware removal process.
This might not be necessary, but it is best to enter Safe Mode with Networking in order to remove Hets ransomware safely and without interruptions. The mode guarantees that no malware processes or modules are loaded, and anti-malware software can run without interruptions. After you backup, your files delete the infection, proceed with the instructions below to recover data without paying cybercriminals.
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