Remove ITHH Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .ithh Files)

Ithh malware is a sort of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant activities, that virus also alters some important settings and can even suspend your security tool.

Ithh ransomware – what is it?

Ithh malware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That type of virus is aimed on individuals. This specification supposes that Ithh does not bring any sort of additional malware, which usually helps virus of various other families to take control of your computer. Since most users do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no reason to inject other malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

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

You can also spectate various other signs of malware activity. Spontaneously stopped Microsoft Defender and inability to open the popular anti-malware forums or websites, where the malware 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 – read below how to wipe out Ithh virus and get the .ithh files back.

How did Ithh ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Ithh virus creates a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by ransomware maintainers – crooks who manage the distribution of this ransomware. Another activity which is performed by these crooks is answering the email messages of sufferers, who intend to get their files back.

The files are ciphered 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 keys variations – it is impossible to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than our planet can estimate to exist, even when you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that keeps the encrypted file(s), Ithh virus 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

However, you can still run some of your documents. The Ithh malware encrypts only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this file can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player can open these files – WinAmp is the best option, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each song or video will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the video or music will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Ithh ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was described several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Ithh ransomware makes the changes in your system in order to prevent searching the ransomware removal and file decryption guides. Malware does not create the software obstacle – it just changes the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Among the networking settings, the most damaged item is the HOSTS file. This text file contains the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the web browsers while sending a request to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain site, your browser will connect that page through that DNS next time. Ransomware alters 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 modifications done by the ransomware are aimed at prevention of early spotting of itself, and also disabling the installation of the majority of security tools. Ithh ransomware implements several alterations in Group Policies – the system setting interface which allows to modify the abilities of each application. In such a way, malware blocks the Microsoft Defender and several other antivirus apps, as well as blocks 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 questionable software as the main method of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious software I mean apps that are already not supported by the maintainer and distributed through the third-party websites. These applications may be hacked, to make them usable without purchasing any license. Another example of such a program type is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

These programs may be spread in different methods – through the website that offers a downloading link, or through the peer-to-peer networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy websites. Folks use these sources to get a wide range of apps or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. Nobody can prevent the users who hack these programs from adding viruses of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw targets, so their creators may easily insert the virus under the guise of some program element.

These hacked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often sources for various malware, and definitely the most widespread one for Ithh malware. It is better to stop making use of it, and not only because of malware spreading risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an outlaw action, and both hackers and folks who make use of cracked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Ithh ransomware?

The Ithh virus is pretty hard to remove manually. In fact, because of the number of alterations it makes into your Windows, it is almost unreal to spot them all and repair. The best decision is to use antivirus software. But which one to choose?

You can spectate the advices to make use of Microsoft Defender, that is already in your system. However, as it was mentioned before, the majority of STOP/Djvu malware examples disable it even before the encryption process. Using the third-party program is the only possible option – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, which is heavily needed after the Ithh virus attack.

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

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

How to decrypt the .ithh files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Ithh virus attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special tool, 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 definitely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another option to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your physical disks. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the documents are still stored on the disk drive. 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 .ithh 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 .ithh 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 remains of deleted files, and then attempts to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different formats. 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