Utjg ransomware (virus) - Decryption Steps Included

What is Utjg ransomware?

Utjg virus is the ransomware infection that encrypts files with the purpose of blackmail

Infection is a file-locker because data on the machine receives the particular extension marker after encryption

Utjg ransomware is the file-locker virus that creates issues with the machine, so the malicious processes can be launched. The infiltration starts silently, and the threat can inject background processes or files on the system to keep the persistence of this infection. The indication that the machine is affected by the file virus – marker .utjg that appears at the end of every encrypted piece. Documents, images, video files, and other types of files receive the extension after the initial file name and type, so users can know which files got locked by the threat. Once the marker is placed, your device is affected significantly and the virus might be done with its activities because the ransom note delivery is the last step in this blackmail campaign.

This particular Utjg virus is a member of the DJVU family of ransomware-type infections. This devastatingly popular and dangerous program encrypts your files, and it will not decrypt them until you pay up. However, it is common for criminals to still keep those files locked even when the ransom payment is sent their way. The encryption method used by this version makes obtaining the key impossible, so there is no way out other than paying up or restoring from backup.

There were some additional options for file recovery before, but the advanced changes in coding and other techniques improved the decryption and made the newer versions in this family, including the Utjg file virus, non-decryptable. The online ID formation means that there are unique keys created for each affected device, so to recover those files, you need to have the particular decryption key and tool capable of restoring the encoded data.

In the ransom note – _readme.txt, it is reminded that victims must use a key and specific software to restore access to files. The price for this decryption tool can range from $490 -$980, depending on how quickly you want your files restored. You should get a discount from developers if they have been contacted within 72 hours of getting your files compromised by cybercriminals.

Email is the main communication method. Victims can connect with the actors via addresses manager@mailtemp.ch or helprestoremanager@airmailcom they will provide more information about pricing options and should send the decryption key this way. However, that is not the option because criminals care for the money only. You should remove the infection instead, but first, experts^[2] note that it is important to talk about files.

Advanced encryption keeps fewer options for decryption

If the Utjg ransomware uses an offline id to encrypt files, it is possible to get your files back with the previously developed tool. We list that option below. But When files get encrypted during such recent attacks, an improved method of file-locking makes it impossible to get those files back. It is a bummer for all users who have been infected with this malware. Hackers can be unpredictable and steal some files to use in later campaigns, so do not think about paying.

The ransomware makes common data useless

There are several universal methods for recovering files encrypted by the virus. It is possible to restore files by decrypting them, but the step involves converting a .utjg file back into readable data so that its original contents can be accessed again. For that, the decryption application is required. You need special software in order to accomplish this task, and the official encryption tool that could work for this version is not developed yet.

However, if you want to try to decrypt the affected files still, you should try. It is possible to check the option with the available tool for the Djvu virus. If it works for you, it is possible that there are some flaws in the coding of the Utjg virus. 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. It can sometimes occur when the connection is poor, even though the initial release is not decryptable.

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:

1. “Decrypted!” will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully – they are now usable again.
2. “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.
3. “This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible” – you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.

The threat can be removed properly

Utjg virus can be extremely persistent and affect many procedures on the machine. This is why cryptocurrency extortion-based infection is considered one of the most dangerous cyber threats. The ransomware is a kind of threat that encrypts your documents and other files and then forces you to pay for them. Note that this particular type has some distinct similarities with other representatives from its own DJVU-family: like Qdla, Futm, Stax. They all have the _readme.txt file as the ransom note and deliver the same instructions on how much money should be sent.

These similarities also show that anti-malware tools based on AV detection^[3] can help to discard any files related to this Utjg virus. Running the tool like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes significantly improves the performance by clearing the malicious files. You can quickly remove the ransomware and without the risk of damaging the machine.

Once a computer is infected with malware, its system is changed to operate differently. 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.

Infection detection rate shows that AV tools can clear the infection

Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of FortectIntego repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it can also remove 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.

• 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.

By employing this app, 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.

What can be done with those encrypted files?

The infection alters various settings to keep the Utjg virus running for a long time. This is how all the malicious processes are controlled, and once you add any piece of data that was not affected, the virus, if active, encrypts the file immediately. You shouldn't;t risk getting your data permanently damaged and double-check before moving to any file recovery options.

Then those locked files can be your next concern because removing the threat is not the same as recovering data or decrypting those pieces fully from the encryption state. Once you remove the infection and clear the possible malicious files, you can try to restore files using third-party options. Data backups are the best when it comes to ransomware and threats like this .utjg file virus.

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.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
   1. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
8. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
9. Press Recover to retrieve your files.

The most common distribution method used by these threat actors involves files with the malicious payload of the virus. These pieces get attached to malicious emails and are often included in the packages of pirated software, game cheating cracks. The Utjg ransomware or any other dangerous virus can get installed after one or two clicks on the MS file or once the crack is installed.

Unfortunately, you cannot notice the infiltration, unless you have the anti-malware tool like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes running, Often these security programs indicate the insecure file and block the attachment from email before it gets opened or downloaded on the system. This is how you can control the security of the computer.

Also, keeping away from pirating platforms and torrent sites should help, but many people still want to have everything for free and quickly. You can repair the system after the Utjg virus infection, and it is crucial. Virus damage and leftovers can still trigger encryption when particular data is added to the device. Running FortectIntego and double-checking before anything else is a great tip. Other tricks can be found below. Do not hesitate to try them.