How to remove Ygkz ransomware

Ygkz ransomware – a cryptovirus that demands $490/$980 for file decryption

Ygkz ransomware is a perilous computer infection that encrypts personal files, alters system files, and generates a ransom note, titled _readme.txt, in which cybercriminals portray their instructions and demands. This file-locking parasite also renames encrypted files by appointing a .ygkz extension to their original filenames.

This cryptovirus emanates from the despicable Djvu ransomware family, which has been terrorizing internet users since December 2018. File-lockers from this descent, such as Pola, Plam, Cosd, and hundreds of others, bear many similarities. To mention just a few – criminal contact details (helpmanager@mail.ch and helpmanager@airmail.cc), and the 50% discount on the ransom amount lowering the total from $980 to $490 to users that contact their assailants within 72 hours of the cyberattack.

Files encrypted by Ygkz virus older versions might be deciphered with the Emisoft decryption tool. But there's no guarantee that this software will work for the latest versions that use army-grade RSA 2048 encryption algorithms. That doesn't mean that there are no other options to recover your data. This article explains how this malware is spread, its peculiarities, and at the bottom, you'll find free removal directions.

As we've stated before, all Djvu family file-lockers have a lot of similarities. From the coding algorithms to ransom note names and their contents. In fact, the generated _readme.txt text files are almost identical. Within, there's a bit of information about what happened to your files, and appointed personal ID, other details, including:

• a free decryption guarantee of one file,
• a 50% discount if victims establish contact within 72 hours of the attack,
• a link to a video, where the supposed decryption software can be seen in action.

All this convincing is done to try and prove that the decryption key will be provided after payment is made and push victims into rash decisions. Here's the full message from hackers:

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-Wl6WKEBetp
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:
helpmanager@mail.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
helpmanager@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:

Cybercriminals would use the ransom money to infect the devices of more people and develop more sophisticated malware. Therefore, if a computer gets infected with ransomware, the best thing to do is eliminate it and search for other data recovery options.

If you had backups, then you have nothing to worry about – all you have to do is delete the malware from your system and then restore your files. If you didn't keep backups, there still might be data recovery options left. One of them is by using the existing free decryption software from Emsisoft. It successfully decrypts older Djvu family ransomware versions, but maybe you'll be lucky, and it will decode yours.

It all depends on offline and online IDs. Unfortunately, more recent versions rely on online victim ID forming methods, so each victim is getting a unique key that is needed for the decryption. Researchers cannot obtain those that easily as before. You should rely on your own data backups until the reputable decryption tool gets created.

Use professional anti-malware tools for the ransomware removal first though, as only by using such apps as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes you'll be sure that the computer infection is properly eliminated. Keep either of these security tools up-to-date at all times to evade malware infections in the future. Then you can worry about your files. Once the virus is eliminated – files can be recovered.

Ransomware attacks do extensive damage to computer systems. The registry, host files, and other core settings and files get altered to establish persistence. These modifications might lead to unstable device performance, such as BSoD, freezing, etc. To revert any changes and recover from damage caused by ransomware, use the FortectIntego system repair tool.

Stay away from file-sharing platforms to avoid Djvu family ransomware

The internet has become a scary place full of various malware skulking in the shadows. Tech giants, security companies, and various instances try to make the web a safer place for users, but it's extremely tough to keep up with the ever-growing number of hackers.

There is various malicious computer software developed for different purposes. Keyloggers^[1] aim for your bank and other credentials, remote access Trojans^[2] (or RATs) try to take over the control of the computer remotely. At the same time, ransomware encrypts files and demands to purchase a decryption tool.

All malware can be delivered using different techniques. Our cybersecurity team has reported that Djvu family ransomware is delivered mostly (but not exclusively) through file-sharing platforms, particularly the most popular torrent websites. These portals are exploited due to the lack of end to end security.

For the most part, file-locking parasites were camouflaged as unlocked expensive licensed software and various illegal activation toolkits, popularly known as cracks. Once an infected torrent was downloaded and executed, the devices were unusable within a couple of minutes.

The infection spreads unbelievably fast, and some ransomware has the ability to infect all devices connected within a network. To evade ransomware, people have to stop using torrent sites or be exceptionally cautious when doing that. Computer software should be purchased directly from its developers to avoid PUPs and malware.

Guidelines for Ygkz file virus removal and a quick system fix

Cybercriminals should never get paid. The ransom only allows them to expand their illegal business, infect more computers of innocent people, research more efficient distribution techniques, and develop more perilous infections. So the only responsible thing to do is remove ransomware from your PC.

If you had a security tool, but your device got infected, either way, you should upgrade your anti-malware software with a trustworthy tool. Cybersecurity experts from DieViren.de^[3] recommend using SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes for automatic ransomware removal.

Sometimes file-lockers can prevent users from opening security tools. Then you'll need to reboot your device in Safe Mode with Networking. If you're not confident about how's that done, refer to our free guides below. It's pretty easy if you follow the step-by-step directions.

And lastly, to restore your system files and settings, which are altered during the virus infection and could cause abnormal system behavior such as crashing, freezing, and so on, use the powerful FortectIntego tool. Launch it, run a full system scan, and stick to the recommendations of the app.