Remove ITRZ Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .itrz Files)

Itrz ransomware is a sort of computer virus that injects your system, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant actions, that virus also modifies some important settings and can even stop your antivirus program.

Itrz virus – what is it?

Itrz ransomware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu virus family. That type of computer virus is targeted at individuals. This specification supposes that Itrz does not bring any sort of additional viruses, which often helps malware of various other families to control your computer. Because of the fact that the majority users do not have anything valuable , there is no reason to inject additional viruses that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The usual signs of this ransomware activity is the emersion of .itrz files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.itrz, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.itrz and so on. You cannot to suspend this operation, and can’t open these files – they are ciphered with pretty strong cipher.

You can also spectate various other signs of ransomware activity. Spontaneously suspended Microsoft Defender and inability to check the famous anti-malware forums or websites, where the virus removal and file decryption guides are published. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to remove Itrz ransomware and get the .itrz files back.

How did Itrz ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Itrz virus starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by ransomware maintainers – fraudsters who manage the spreading of this malware. Another activity which is conducted by those crooks is answering the email messages of sufferers, 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 decryption password variations – it is not real to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than the Earth can approximately exist, even in case if you use the most powerful computers. In each folder that contains the encrypted documents, Itrz 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

Nonetheless, you can still run some of your documents. The Itrz malware encrypts only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this document can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are surely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best option, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every file will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the video or music will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Itrz ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

Among the networking configurations, the most changed item is the HOSTS configuration file. This text file contains the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the browsers while sending a request to the server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain website, your web browser will connect that website through that DNS next time. Ransomware alters this file, adding the unknown 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 targeted on prevention of fast detection of itself, and also blocking the installation of the majority of anti-malware programs. Itrz virus makes some alterations in Group Policies – the system setting application which gives you the right to change the abilities of each app. In such a way, malware blocks the Microsoft Defender and several other anti-malware tools, as well as prevents the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using questionable applications as a primary way of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable applications I mean apps that are already not updated by the creator and spread through the third-party websites. These programs may be hacked, to make them possible to use without purchasing any license. Another example of such a program class is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This sort of programs may be spread in many ways – through the website that offers a downloading link, or through the peer-to-peer networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the biggest computer piracy resources. People use these pages to get different apps or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. Nobody can prevent the users who hack these apps from adding viruses of some type to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw actions, so their developers can easily add the malware under the guise of some program part.

These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various malware, and surely the most widespread one for Itrz malware. It is better to stop using of it, and not only because of ransomware spreading risks. Avoiding the license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and persons who use cracked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Itrz ransomware?

The Itrz virus is very hard to remove manually. Really, because of the amount of modifications it makes into your system, it is almost unreal to detect them all and repair. The best solution is to use antivirus software. But which one to choose?

You may spectate the offers to make use of Microsoft Defender, that is already in your computer. However, as it was mentioned earlier, most of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples stop it even before the encryption process. Using the third-party application is the only option – and I can advice you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for this case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the virus will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, that is heavily needed after the Itrz virus attack.

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

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Malware removal is required to prevent the repeating ciphering of your files: while Itrz ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .itrz files?

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

Another option to get your files back is to try to recover them from your disks. Since Itrz virus 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 removed from the file system, but not from a disk. Special apps, 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 some files unintentionally.

Decrypting the .itrz 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 .itrz files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the residues 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