Remove IICC Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .iicc Files)

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

Iicc malware – what is it?

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

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

You can also see various other signs of malware activity. Suddenly suspended Microsoft Defender and inability to check the famous anti-malware forums or sites, 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 Iicc ransomware and get the .iicc files back.

How did Iicc ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Iicc virus starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by malware maintainers – crooks who manage the distribution of this ransomware. Another activity which is done by these 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 algo means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible 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 if you make use of the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted documents, Iicc 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

Nonetheless, you can still run some of your files. The Iicc ransomware ciphers only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this file can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely 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 each file will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Iicc ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was mentioned several paragraphs above, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Iicc ransomware makes the changes in your computer in order to prevent looking for the virus removal and file decryption guides. Iicc virus does not establish the software barrier – it just modifies the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

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

Other alterations done by the virus are targeted on prevention of early spotting of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of security tools. Iicc ransomware makes some alterations in Group Policies – the system setting application which gives you the right to change the rights of each app. In such a way, ransomware blocks the Microsoft Defender and various other anti-malware programs, and also blocks the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family is active, it was using questionable programs as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious programs I mean apps that are already not updated by the developer and distributed through the file sharing websites. These applications may be hacked, to make them possible to use without buying any license. One more example of such a program class is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This kind of programs may be distributed in different methods – through the website that offers a downloading link, as well as through the peering networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy sites. People use these pages to get a wide range of apps or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who crack these programs from adding viruses of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw purposes, so their developers may easily embed the ransomware under the guise of some program element.

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

How do I remove Iicc malware?

The Iicc virus is extremely hard to delete manually. In fact, because of the number of changes it makes in your Windows, it is almost unreal to detect them all and repair. The best decision is to make use of anti-malware software. But which one to choose?

You may spectate the offers to make use of Microsoft Defender, that is already in your system. However, as it was mentioned before, most of STOP/Djvu malware examples stop it even before the encryption procedure. Making use of the third-party application is the only solution – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the malware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily demanded after the Iicc virus attack.

To remove Iicc 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 ciphering of your files: while Iicc ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .iicc files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Iicc ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious 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 surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another way to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your disk drives. Since Iicc virus deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the documents are still stored on the disk. After the removal, the information about them is removed 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 some files unintentionally.

Decrypting the .iicc 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 .iicc files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created 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 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