Remove GYEW Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .gyew Files)

Gyew ransomware is a type of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these bad activities, that virus also modifies some important settings and can even suspend your security tool.

Gyew ransomware – what is it?

Gyew ransomware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu virus family. That type of malware is targeted at individuals. This specification supposes that Gyew does not bring any type of additional viruses, which usually helps ransomware of various other families to control your PC. Since the majority people do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no need to download other malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The common signs of this virus activity is the appearance of .gyew files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.gyew, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.gyew and so on. You are not able to suspend this process, and can’t open these files – they are ciphered with pretty strong algorithm.

You can also see various other signs of ransomware activity. Suddenly stopped Microsoft Defender and inability to check the well-known anti-malware forums or websites, where the virus removal and decryption guides are posted. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to remove Gyew malware and get the .gyew files back.

How did Gyew ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Gyew ransomware establishes a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by malware maintainers – people who manage the spreading of this virus. Another activity which is performed by these crooks is answering the emails of sufferers, who wish to decrypt their files.

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 password variations – it is impossible to brute force it. As analysts say, it will take more time than the Earth can approximately exist, even if you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that has the encrypted documents, Gyew 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 open some of your files. The Gyew ransomware ciphers only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the rest of this file can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player is capable of open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each file will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Gyew ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

Among the networking configurations, the most damaged item is the HOSTS configuration file. This text file keeps the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the web browsers while requesting to the server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain site, your web browser will connect that site 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 changes done by the ransomware are aimed at prevention of operative detection of itself, and also disabling the installation of the majority of security tools. Gyew ransomware implements some changes in Group Policies – the system setting interface which gives you the right to modify the rights of each application. In such a way, ransomware stops the Microsoft Defender and different other anti-malware programs, and also disables the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using dubious applications as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable applications I mean software that are already not supported by the maintainer and spread through the third-party websites. These programs may be hacked, to make them usable without buying 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 different methods – through the site that offers a downloading link, and also through the p2p networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy resources. Folks use these sources to get different apps or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. No one 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 actions, so their creators may easily add the ransomware under the guise of some program part.

These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often sources for various viruses, and definitely the most widespread one for Gyew ransomware. The best solution is to stop making use of it, and not only because of ransomware installation risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an illegal action, and both hackers and folks who use hacked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Gyew malware?

The Gyew virus is extremely hard to wipe out manually. In fact, because of the amount of alterations it makes into your Windows, it is almost unreal to detect them all and fix. The best option is to use anti-malware software. But which one to choose?

You may spectate the offers to make use of Microsoft Defender, that is already inside of your system. However, as it was mentioned earlier, the majority of STOP/Djvu virus examples stop it even before the encryption procedure. Using the third-party application is the only solution – and I can recommend you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for this case. It has perfect detection abilities, so the virus will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, which is heavily demanded after the Gyew virus attack.

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

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

How to decrypt the .gyew files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Gyew virus attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special app, 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 files back is to try to recover them from your disk drives. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the documents are still kept on the disk. After the removal, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk. 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 .gyew 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 .gyew 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 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