Nerz ransomware is a dangerous virus that encrypts people's personal files
Djvu ransomware variants are released weekly and hundreds of people get infected
Nerz ransomware is a member of the Djvu ransomware family, and it is one of over 600 variants. These insidious infections are notorious for their evasion, frequently spreading and infiltrating systems through various channels such as trojans and info-stealers. Users may have difficulty detecting Nerz ransomware because it can cleverly disguise itself within other types of malware.[1]
Nerz ransomware infection is distinguished by its stealthy and quick execution. It typically gains access to a system when a user unknowingly opens a malicious file attachment, downloads a pirated package, or launches a tool that contains the malware. The infection's speed and covert nature make it difficult for users to detect and prevent its spread.
When Nerz ransomware infects a machine, it immediately begins its malicious activities. While the user may be unaware of the underlying damage, the ransomware conceals its actions by bombarding the user with deceptive pop-ups. As a result, victims frequently discover their valuable data has been locked and appended with the .nerz extension, leaving them perplexed and distressed.
Malicious files can be shared via email, as well as through various online platforms that may present security risks or engage in pirating activities
REMOVAL
Use specialized tools that are designed to remove threats and protect against security breaches
SYSTEM FIX
If the infection has caused damage to parts of your machine, you can use FortectIntego to repair any issues with the system that have been caused by the corruption.
The true threat posed by Nerz ransomware is the use of powerful encryption[2] methods. This enables it to encrypt frequently used files, making them inaccessible to the user. The attackers then leave their imprint by leaving a ransom note demanding payment in exchange for a decryption[3] tool. Unfortunately, history has shown that these cybercriminals rarely keep their promises. Instead of providing a functional decryption solution, they frequently vanish, leaving the victim in a state of uncertainty and frustration.
To defend against the threat of Nerz ransomware and its malicious counterparts, users must remain vigilant and implement strong cybersecurity practices. Updating software on a regular basis, refraining from downloading pirated content, and exercising caution when opening email attachments are all critical steps in protecting against such insidious attacks.
Djvu ransomware family
The techniques used by the creators of the Djvu ransomware family go beyond a single method. They use various types of malware to spread their malicious payload, frequently distributing pirated packages and delivering malicious file attachments. The Nerz file virus, in particular, has been observed using malware such as Vidar and RedLine to silently inject its payload into targeted machines, thereby initiating the encryption process.
Users may unknowingly become infected with the Nerz ransomware virus, especially if they download files from torrent services without exercising caution. Opening malicious file attachments received via email is another way to become infected. To protect themselves from such threats, individuals must remain vigilant and thoroughly check the authenticity and integrity of files before downloading or interacting with them.
Furthermore, the Djvu ransomware has made significant progress in terms of encryption capabilities. The most recent iterations use weekly releases and more robust encryption methods. Furthermore, the virus uses unique online IDs for each affected device, which differs from previous versions, which used uniform offline keys for all devices encrypted by a specific variant. While offline keys are less common in current iterations of the Djvu virus, attempts to decrypt files encrypted by this ransomware strain can still be made.
The ransom note
Nerz ransomware generates a _readme.txt ransom note on the victim's device:
ATTENTION!
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Your personal ID: –
Cybercriminals want to get paid in exchange for decryption
Remove malicious files
Nerz ransomware is a formidable and persistent threat capable of causing significant damage. It is critical to remove the virus in order to regain control of your machine. One effective way to accomplish this is to run a thorough system scan with a reputable threat detection tool such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. These tools are intended to detect malicious files on your system, such as hidden components linked to the Nerz virus or other malware strains.
When the system scan identifies the Nerz file virus as potentially dangerous malware, it must be removed immediately. It is critical to understand that removing the virus does not automatically decrypt your files or restore the data that was corrupted during the infection. Nonetheless, removing the virus is a critical first step because it can continue to operate on your machine, encrypting new files it encounters and re-encrypting previously compromised files, causing irreparable damage. It is critical to act quickly to remove the threat because it prevents the virus from causing further harm and deteriorating your system.
The decryption of Djvu virus
If your computer is infected with a variant of the Djvu ransomware, you may be able to recover your data by using the Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to note, however, that this tool may not be suitable for everyone. Its functionality is restricted to cases where the data has been locked with an offline ID, indicating that the malware was unable to connect to its remote servers.
Even if your situation meets the aforementioned requirements, successful recovery is dependent on the cooperation of victims who have paid the ransom to obtain the offline key. As a result, these victims must share the obtained key with Emsisoft's security researchers. As a result, it is possible that immediate restoration of your encrypted files will be impossible. If the decryptor indicates that your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered at this time, it is best to try again later.
To employ the decryptor, you will be required to upload a pair of files – one encrypted and one healthy – to the servers of Emsisoft. This step facilitates the analysis and subsequent recovery attempt by the tool.
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 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.
System file recovery
When a computer becomes infected with malware, it can initiate various detrimental changes to the system's operations. These alterations may include modifying the Windows registry database, compromising crucial bootup sections, deleting or corrupting DLL files, and more. In the event that malware damages a system file, traditional antivirus software may prove insufficient in resolving the issue. Consequently, the system can remain in a compromised state, leading to potential performance, stability, and usability concerns that may necessitate a complete reinstallation of the Windows operating system.
To address these challenges, we recommend utilizing FortectIntego, an exceptional repair technology distinguished by its unique and patented approach. This application not only addresses malware-related issues but also rectifies a range of Windows-related problems that are unrelated to malware infections. These additional issues may encompass Blue Screen errors, system freezes, registry errors, and damaged DLLs. By leveraging the capabilities of FortectIntego, users can mitigate the impact of malware infections and address various system-related complexities, facilitating a smoother and more reliable computing experience.
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.
Important steps to take before you begin malware removal
File encryption and ransomware infection are two independent processes (although the latter would not be possible without the former). However, it is important to understand that malware performs various changes within a Windows operating system, fundamentally changing the way it works.
IMPORTANT for those without backups! → If you attempt to use security or recovery software immediately, you might permanently damage your files, and even a working decryptor then would not be able to save them.
Before you proceed with the removal instructions below, you should copy the encrypted files onto a separate medium, such as USB flash drive or SSD, and then disconnect them from your computer. Encrypted data does not hold any malicious code, so it is safe to transfer to other devices.
The instructions below might initially seem overwhelming and complicated, but they are not difficult to understand as long as you follow each step in the appropriate order. This comprehensive free guide will help you to handle the malware removal and data recovery process correctly.
If you have any questions, comments, or are having troubles with following the instructions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the Ask Us section.
IMPORTANT! → It is vital to eliminate malware infection from the computer fully before starting the data recovery process, otherwise ransomware might re-encrypt retrieved files from backups repeatedly.
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:
Since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by 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.
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.
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
One of the many countermeasures for home users against ransomware is data backups. Even if your Windows get corrupted, you can reinstall everything from scratch and retrieve files from backups with minimal losses overall. Most importantly, you would not have to pay cybercriminals and risk your money as well.
Therefore, if you have already dealt with a ransomware attack, we strongly advise you to prepare backups for future use. There are two options available to you:
Backup on a physical external drive, such as a USB flash drive or external HDD.
Use cloud storage services.
The first method is not that convenient, however, as backups need to constantly be updated manually – although it is very reliable. Therefore, we highly advise choosing cloud storage instead – it is easy to set up and efficient to sustain. The problem with it is that storage space is limited unless you want to pay for the subscription.
Using Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is a built-in tool that comes with every modern Windows version. By default, you get 5 GB of storage that you can use for free. You can increase that storage space, but for a price. Here's how to setup backups for OneDrive:
Click on the OneDrive icon within your system tray.
Select Help & Settings > Settings.
If you don't see your email under the Account tab, you should click Add an account and proceed with the on-screen instructions to set yourself up.
Once done, move to the Backup tab and click Manage backup.
Select Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, or a combination of whichever folders you want to backup.
Press Start backup.
After this, all the files that are imported into the above-mentioned folders will be automatically backed for you. If you want to add other folders or files, you have to do that manually. For that, open File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard, and then click on the OneDrive icon. You should drag and drop folders you want to backup (or you can use Copy/Paste as well).
Using Google Drive
Google Drive is another great solution for free backups. The good news is that you get as much as 15GB for free by choosing this storage. There are also paid versions available, with significantly more storage to choose from.
You can access Google Drive via the web browser or use a desktop app you can download on the official website. If you want your files to be synced automatically, you will have to download the app, however.
Download the Google Drive app installer and click on it.
Wait a few seconds for it to be installed.
Now click the arrow within your system tray – you should see Google Drive icon there, click it once.
Click Get Started.
Enter all the required information – your email/phone, and password.
Now pick what you want to sync and backup. You can click on Choose Folder to add additional folders to the list.
Once done, pick Next.
Now you can select to sync items to be visible on your computer.
Finally, press Start and wait till the sync is complete. Your files are now being backed up.
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a huge business that is highly illegal, and authorities are very involved in catching malware operators. To have increased chances of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help with stopping the cybercriminal activities and catching the threat actors. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, examples of encrypted files, or malware executables would also 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:
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.
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
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