Remove JAWR Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .jawr Files)

Jawr virus 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 actions, that virus also modifies some important settings and can even suspend your anti-malware program.

Jawr virus – what is it?

Jawr ransomware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu virus family. That type of malware is targeted at single users. This feature supposes that Jawr does not bring any type of additional malware, which sometimes helps malware of various other families to take control of your PC. Since most users do not have anything valuable , there is no reason to download other malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The usual signs of this ransomware activity is the appearance of .jawr files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.jawr, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.jawr and so on. You cannot to stop this action, as well as can’t open that documents – they are ciphered with quite strong algorithm.

You can also spectate different other signs of virus activity. Spontaneously blocked Microsoft Defender and inability to open the well-known anti-malware forums or websites, where the removal and file decryption guides are published. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to wipe out Jawr malware and get the .jawr files back.

How did Jawr ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Jawr ransomware starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by malware maintainers – crooks who manage the spreading of this virus. Another activity which is conducted by those crooks is answering the emails of sufferers, who want to get their files back.

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The 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 cipher analysts say, it will take more time than the Earth can approximately exist, even if you use the most powerful computers. In each folder that keeps the encrypted documents, Jawr 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 Jawr malware ciphers only the first 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 larger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is capable of open these files – WinAmp is the best option, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every recording will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Jawr ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

Through the networking settings, the most damaged item is the HOSTS configuration file. This text file contains the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the web browsers while requesting to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain web page, your web browser will connect that site through this DNS next time. Ransomware alters this 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 fast spotting of itself, and also disabling the installation of the majority of security tools. Jawr virus implements some alterations in Group Policies – the system setting interface which allows to modify the abilities of each app. In such a way, the virus disables the Microsoft Defender and several other security tools, 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 software as the main method of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious applications I mean software that are already not controlled by the developer and distributed through the file sharing websites. These apps may be cracked, to make them possible to use without purchasing any license. Another example of such a program class is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This sort of applications may be distributed 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 most popular computer piracy resources. People use these sources to get various programs or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. Nobody can prevent the users who hack these apps from adding viruses of some type to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw purposes, so their creators may easily embed 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 viruses, and surely the most used one for Jawr ransomware. The best solution is to stop making use of it, and not only because of ransomware installation risks. Avoiding the license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and users who make use of hacked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Jawr ransomware?

The Jawr ransomware is very hard to wipe out manually. In fact, because of the amount of changes it makes into your Windows, it is almost impossible to find them all and repair. The best option is to make use of anti-malware software. But which one to choose?

You can see the advices to use Microsoft Defender, which is already in your computer. However, as it was mentioned before, the majority of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples block it even before the encryption process. Making use of the third-party program is the only solution – and I can advice you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution 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 Jawr virus attack.

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

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

How to decrypt the .jawr files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Jawr ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is conducted with a special program, 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 way to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your disks. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the files are still kept on the disk drive. After the deletion, 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 a thing unintentionally.

Decrypting the .jawr 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 .jawr 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 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