Remove GASH Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .gash Files)

Gash ransomware is a sort of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these bad actions, that virus also alters some important settings and can even suspend your antivirus program.

Gash ransomware – what is it?

Gash malware can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That type of computer virus is targeted at single users. This specification supposes that Gash does not carry any type of additional malware, which often helps malware of other families to control your computer. Because of the fact that the majority people do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no need to infiltrate other malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The common signs of that ransomware activity is the appearance of .gash files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.gash, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.gash and so on. You are not able to suspend this action, as well as can’t open that documents – they are encrypted with quite strong cipher.

You can also see different other signs of malware activity. Spontaneously disabled Microsoft Defender and inability to check the popular anti-malware forums or web pages, where the malware removal and file decryption guides are posted. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to remove Gash ransomware and get the .gash files back.

How did Gash ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Gash ransomware creates a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by malware maintainers – fraudsters who manage the distribution of this ransomware. Another activity which is performed by those crooks is answering the email messages of victims, who want to get their files back.

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The “256” digit in the name of this algorithms means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible password variations – it is not real to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than our planet can estimate to exist, even in case if you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that has the encrypted file(s), Gash ransomware leaves the _readme.txt file with the following contents:

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-WJa63R98Ku

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:

support@fishmail.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nevertheless, you can still run some of your files. The Gash ransomware encrypts only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the rest of this document can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player is capable of open these files – WinAmp is the best option, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every song or video will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the file will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Gash ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was described several paragraphs above, ransomware is not only about encrypting the files. Gash ransomware makes the changes in your computer in order to prevent searching the ransomware removal and file decryption guides. Gash virus does not create the software obstacle – it just alters the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Through the networking settings, the most damaged item is the HOSTS file. This text file has the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the browsers while requesting to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain website, your browser will connect that website through this DNS next time. Ransomware modifies that file, adding the non-existent DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other changes done by the virus are aimed at prevention of early detection of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of anti-malware programs. Gash malware makes some changes in Group Policies – the system configuration app which allows to alter the abilities of each program. In such a way, ransomware disables the Microsoft Defender and different other antivirus programs, and also prevents the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family is active, it was using dubious applications as the main method of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious software I mean software that are already not supported by the maintainer and spread through the file sharing websites. These programs may be cracked, to make them usable without buying any license. Another example of such a program type is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This kind of apps may be distributed in different methods – through the website that offers a downloading link, or through the seeding networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the most popular computer piracy websites. People use these pages to get various programs or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who hack these apps from adding malware of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw targets, so their developers may easily add the malware under the guise of some program part.

These hacked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and definitely the most widespread one for Gash malware. The best solution is to avoid making use of it, and not only because of ransomware injection risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an outlaw action, and both hackers and persons who make use of cracked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Gash ransomware?

The Gash virus is really hard to delete manually. In fact, because of the number of modifications it makes in your system, it is almost impossible to find them all and fix. The best option is to use anti-malware programs. But which one to choose?

You can see the offers to make use of Microsoft Defender, that is already inside of your computer. Nonetheless, as it was mentioned before, most of STOP/Djvu malware examples stop it even before the encryption process. Making use of the third-party tool is the only solution – and I can recommend you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for this case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the malware will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, that is heavily demanded after the Gash virus attack.

To remove Gash malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Ransomware removal is required to prevent the repeating encryption of your files: while Gash ransomware is active, it will not pass any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .gash files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Gash virus attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special app, designed by Emsisoft, and named Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is absolutely free. Analysts update its decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another option to get your files back is to try to recover them from your disks. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the documents are still stored on the disk. After the deletion, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk drive. Special programs, like PhotoRec, are able to recover these files. It is free, too, and may also be used for file recovery in case when you have deleted something unintentionally.

Decrypting the .gash files with Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu

Download and install Emsisoft Decrypter tool. Agree with its EULA and continue to the interface.

The interface of this program is extremely easy. All you have to do is to select the folder where the encrypted files are stored, and wait. If the program has the decryption key which corresponds to your ransomware case – it will decrypt it.

During the use of Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu, you may observe various error messages. Don’t worry, that does not mean that you did something wrong or a program does not work properly. Each of these errors refer to a specific case. Here is the explanation:

Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]

The program does not have a corresponding key for your case. You need to wait for some time until the key database will be updated.

No key for new variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible.

This error means that your files are encrypted with an online key. In such a case, the decryption key is unique and stored on the remote server, controlled by crooks. Unfortunately, the decryption is impossible.

Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]

This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

Ransomware uses the offline key to encrypt your files. This key is not unique, so you likely have it in common with another victim. Since offline keys must be collected, too, it is important to keep calm and wait until the analysts team finds one which will fit your case.

Remote name could not be resolved

This error indicates that the program has problems with DNS on your computer. That’s a clear sign of malicious alterations in your HOSTS file. Reset it using the official Microsoft guide.

Recovering the .gash files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the remains of deleted files, and then tries to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different extensions. Because of the described feature of ransomware encryption mechanism, it is possible to use this tool to get the original, unencrypted files back.

Download PhotoRec from the official website. It is absolutely free, however, its developer warns that he does not guarantee that this program will be 100% effective for file recovery purposes. Moreover, even paid apps can barely give you such a guarantee, because of the chain of random factors that can make the file recovery harder.

Unzip the downloaded archive to the folder you like. Don’t worry because of its name – TestDisk – this is the name of the utility developed by the same company. They decided to spread it together since PhotoRec and TestDisk are often used together. Among the unzipped files, search for qphotorec_win.exe file. Run this executable file.

Before you can start the recovery process, you need to specify several settings. In the drop-down list, choose the logic disk where the files were stored before the encryption.

Then, you need to specify the file formats you need to recover. It may be difficult to scroll all 400+ formats, luckily, they are sorted by alphabetical order.

Finally, name the folder you want to use as a container for recovered files. The program will likely dig out a lot of useless files, which were deleted intentionally, so desktop is a bad solution. The best option is to use the USB-drive.

After these easy manipulations, you may just press the “Search” button (it turns active if you specified all required parameters). The recovery process may take several hours, so keep patient. It is recommended not to use the computer during this term, since you may overwrite some files you are intending to recover.

Frequently Asked Questions