Remove LJAZ Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .ljaz Files)

Ljaz virus 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 actions, that malware also alters some important settings and can even stop your anti-malware program.

Ljaz malware – what is it?

Ljaz virus can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu ransomware family. That sort of virus is aimed on single users. This specification supposes that Ljaz does not carry any type of additional malware, which sometimes helps virus of various other families to take control of your system. Because of the fact that the majority people do not have anything valuable , there is no need to inject other malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The common signs of Ljaz virus activity is the emersion of .ljaz files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.ljaz, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.ljaz and so on. You are not able to stop this operation, as well as can’t open that files – they are ciphered with pretty strong algorithm.

You can also spectate various other signs of malware activity. Suddenly blocked Microsoft Defender and inability to check the famous anti-malware forums or websites, where the malware removal and decryption guides are posted. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to wipe out Ljaz ransomware and get the .ljaz files back.

How did Ljaz ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Ljaz ransomware creates a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by virus maintainers – fraudsters who manage the spreading of this malware. Another activity which is conducted by these crooks is answering the email messages of sufferers, who intend 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 algo means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is unreal to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than our planet can approximately exist, even when you use the most powerful computers. In each folder that contains the encrypted file(s), Ljaz ransomware 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 run some of your files. The Ljaz virus ciphers only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this document can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player can open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every recording will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the video or music will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Ljaz ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

Among the networking settings, the most changed item is the HOSTS file. This text file has the DNS-address configurations, 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 edits 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 virus are aimed at prevention of fast detection of itself, and also blocking the installation of the majority of security tools. Ljaz malware implements some changes in Group Policies – the system configuration interface which allows to alter the abilities of each application. In such a way, ransomware stops the Microsoft Defender and different other antivirus apps, and also prevents the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using dubious programs as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious applications I mean applications that are already not supported by the creator and distributed through the third-party websites. These apps may be hacked, to make them usable without purchasing any license. One more example of such a program type is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This sort of applications may be distributed in different ways – through the site that offers a downloading link, and also through the p2p networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the biggest computer piracy websites. People use these sources to get various apps or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who crack these programs from adding viruses of some type to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw targets, so their developers may easily insert the ransomware under the guise of some program element.

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

How do I remove Ljaz virus?

The Ljaz malware is very hard to delete manually. In fact, because of the number of alterations it makes in your Windows, it is almost unreal to detect them all and repair. The best solution is to use antivirus software. But which one to choose?

You may see the offers to use Microsoft Defender, which is already in your system. But as it was mentioned earlier, the majority of STOP/Djvu malware examples block it even before the ciphering process. Using the third-party program is the only option – and I can advice you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for this case. It has perfect detection abilities, so the malware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily demanded after the Ljaz virus attack.

To remove Ljaz 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 Ljaz ransomware is active, it will not pass any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .ljaz files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Ljaz virus 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 surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another option 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 documents are still kept on the disk drive. After the deletion, the information about them is wiped 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 .ljaz 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 .ljaz files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. 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