Rivd virus: what it is and how to remove it

From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Rivd virus

• The best way to fight malware like this is proper system cleaning.
• Without AV tools you cannot clear the threat and can risk getting files permanently damaged
• The best way to repair the system - because this tool can solve issues regarding virus damage.
• Then you can move to encrypted file recovery

From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since

Rivd ransomware is a virus that demands payment of $980 but offers a discount of 50% to trick people

Rivd virus is the file-locker aiming to scare victims into transferring the money to their account by lying about the decryption tool.

In most cases, these payments do not result in any data recovery because criminals behind the threat do not care about users' belongings at all. This ransomware belongs to a Djvu ransomware family that is known to release new versions without particularly changing anything about the threat.

The last ones include .maql, .rugj, and .zaps. This variant encrypts files and appends the unique .rivd extension on their filenames, for example renaming 1.jpg into 1.jpg.rivd. Documents, audio, video files, images all can get encrypted right after the infiltration.

It is always best to avoid malicious tricks. They might claim they have decryption tools available in order for you to pay a ransom, but this is not true. There can be offers for test decryption and the discount of the payment for the first victims. The choice of contacting these criminals is not the best since attackers can send you another piece of malware instead of the decryption tool.

These days, avoiding malware infections is crucial since hackers are increasing the amount of payment they ask for in return for file recovery. Only certain decryption programs would allow victims to regain access back onto their devices once again without having lost everything irreparably broken beyond repair already.

Criminals behind the Rivd ransomware claim to have such a tool and promises to provide it for the victim once the Bitcoin payment is transferred. However, there is no reason to trust the criminals at all.

The _readme.txt file, which is the ransom note for this ransomware virus, provides contact and payment information to its victims. The price of a decryption tool depends on how fast they will contact the cybercriminals behind this campaign.

In full, it is $980, but the first 72 hours have the $490 sum. Note that users can get their data damaged soon after too! Even when you took less than 72 hours following an attack in contacting them with these criminals.

The Rivd virus is a form of ransomware that aims to get money from victims, so it starts with locking your files once the system is infected. The process can be done quickly, so the victim is not noticing the infiltration. The process of encryption uses powerful algorithms that help to alter the original code of the data. This is why the filenames are changed, and the file becomes unopenable.

The ransom note of the Rivd ransomware gets placed in various folders that have encrypted files and on the desktop for the victim to find right away. The message from criminals reads the following:

The best way to deal with the ransomware would be to remove the infection, clear any traces of the threat and recover the system performance to a proper state. It can be done with anti-malware programs like or and the full system scan during which the threat pieces get detected.

From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since

Encryption scrambles files right away

Once locked by this type of malware, documents become useless and cannot be opened without decryption services.

The ransom note informs victims that files cannot be accessed without the right decryption tool and unique key. However, the real decryption tool might not even exist. It takes researchers a lot of time to make a tool like this that could restore files after a ransomware attack.

The previous versions were for a while decryptable. Right now, only a few victims can get their files restored with the previously developed tool. Unfortunately, flaws in coding got quickly fixed, and the encryption algorithms were altered to be more powerful and less likely breakable.

Victim Id forming methods significantly affect the decryption possibility because the C&C server connection ensures that there are no identical decryption keys and people need to pay to get the proper decryptor.

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 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.

• 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 our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since

The distribution and other actions of the Rivd virus

Distribution of malware and holding property for ransom are criminal acts in many countries, so it means that you shouldn't ignore them.

We encourage all victims who have been victimized by these crimes to report their experience with law enforcement as it helps us determine how best to investigate such activity.

Such agencies and malware researchers can sometimes find the people responsible and stop their activities. Also, once the criminal is caught, decryption keys can be released to the public and help restore those files that get encoded by the threat malicious actors release. However, in most cases, such scenarios are not common, so you need to learn how to avoid infections like Rivd ransomware instead.

The infection mainly spreads using malicious files with the code for ransomware payload. These pieces can be attached to the email or be directly added to the message via a link. This particular ransomware family is mainly relying on pirating services and torrent sites.

Experts note that the payload of ransomware can come with the game cheat package or cracks for a particular software. Users online report that this particular version was spread using various pirated programs like Photoshop or Adobe applications.

Most often, gamers catch the ransomware while trying to get something via pirating platforms. The Rivd virus infiltration happens quickly and unnoticed. Sometimes criminals mask the behavior of the malware and the encryption process in particular with the fake Windows Update pop-up message.

Unfortunately, once a computer is infected with malware, its system is changed to operate differently, too. For example, an infection can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is.

Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstallation is required. Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology - . Not only can it fix Rivd virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program.

Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.

By employing the proper tool, you would not have to worry about future computer issues, as most of them could be fixed quickly by performing a full system scan at any time. Most importantly, you could avoid the tedious process of Windows reinstallation in case things go very wrong due to one reason or another.

• 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

From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since

Alternatives for decryption and ways to restore encoded files

Do not trust anyone who claims they can decrypt your files for a fee or even for free.

These people are either scam artists or criminals who will overcharge you and lie about it to get what they want from victims - money. The main issue with such file-lockers is the fact that cryptocurrency extortionists are the ones behind it.

In some cases, it is possible to recover access to those files without paying a ransom: when victims have copies of their data, and when there is a decryption tool on the Internet. It is not recommended that you pay cybercriminals for such tools because they might never provide them.

It is also important to make sure all data on infected computers have been completely erased before recovering files. Otherwise, the Rivd virus could encrypt more files or infect other devices in addition to your main system.

Since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently.

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 Rivd 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.

Install data recovery software

If you have difficulty when trying to remove Rivd ransomware it might be because the virus managed to alter some settings, preferences, or even disable features or programs on the machine directly. It is common for ransomware to stop security tools, anti-malware programs, and other system features that are related to security or file repair.

If that happens, you might need to enter the Safe Mode with Networking before you can launch the or on the computer. The guide below shows how to do so. Also, these instructions can show how to manage the infection, stop additional processes and malware activities yourself.

We understand that the Rivd file virus encrypted files are the main concern for you, but you need to avoid quick decisions since the system can get damaged if the ransomware runs another round of encryption on the same set of files. Be cautious about virus leftovers and run to ensure that the system is clear.

• Download .
• 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.