Remove JZIE Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .jzie Files)

Jzie ransomware is a type of computer virus that injects your system, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unwanted actions, that malware also alters some important settings and can even disable your security tool.

Jzie virus – what is it?

Jzie ransomware can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That type of computer virus is aimed on single users. This feature supposes that Jzie does not bring any type of additional viruses, which sometimes helps virus of various other families to take control of your PC. Because of the fact that most people do not have anything valuable , there is no reason to use additional malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

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

You can also spectate different other signs of malware activity. Spontaneously stopped Microsoft Defender and inability to open the popular anti-malware forums or web pages, where the ransomware 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 remove Jzie virus and get the .jzie files back.

How did Jzie ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Jzie virus starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by virus maintainers – people who manage the spreading of this virus. Another activity which is done by those crooks is answering the emails of victims, who intend to decrypt their files.

The documents are ciphered with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The 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 impossible to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than the Earth can estimate to exist, even in case if you make use of the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted documents, Jzie 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

Nevertheless, you can still use some of your documents. The Jzie ransomware ciphers only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this document can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every song or video will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the file will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Jzie ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

Among the networking settings, the most changed item is the HOSTS configuration file. This text file has the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the web 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 that 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 alterations done by the ransomware are aimed at prevention of operative detection of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of anti-malware programs. Jzie ransomware implements several changes in Group Policies – the system setting app which allows to modify the abilities of each program. In such a way, the virus blocks the Microsoft Defender and various other security 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 a primary method of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable programs I mean software that are already not supported by the creator and spread through the file sharing websites. These applications may be cracked, to make them usable without buying any license. Another example of such a program type is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

These applications may be spread in different ways – through the web page that offers a downloading link, as well as through the peer-to-peer networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the most popular computer piracy sites. Folks use these sources to get a wide range of apps or games for free, even if they must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who crack these programs from adding malware of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw actions, so their developers may easily add the malware under the guise of some program element.

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

How do I remove Jzie malware?

The Jzie malware is very hard to delete manually. In fact, because of the number of modifications it makes into your Windows, it is almost unreal to detect them all and fix. The best option is to make use of anti-malware software. But which one to choose?

You can see the advices to make use of Microsoft Defender, that is already in your Windows. But as it was mentioned earlier, the majority of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples block it even before the ciphering procedure. Making use of the third-party application is the only option – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for this case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the Jzie ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily demanded after the Jzie virus attack.

To remove Jzie 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 Jzie ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .jzie files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Jzie malware 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 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 Jzie virus deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the documents are still stored on the disk drive. After the removal, the information about them is removed from the file system, but not from a disk drive. Special tools, 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 .jzie 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 .jzie files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. It checks each disk sector for the residues of deleted files, and then attempts 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