Remove CDAZ Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .cdaz Files)

Cdaz ransomware is a sort of computer virus that infiltrates your computer, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these unwanted actions, that virus also alters some important settings and can even suspend your security tool.

Cdaz malware – what is it?

Cdaz virus can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That type of virus is aimed on single users. This feature supposes that Cdaz does not carry any type of additional viruses, which usually helps malware of various other families to control your PC. Since most users do not have anything valuable , there is no reason to infiltrate additional malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

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

You can also spectate various other signs of virus activity. Abruptly blocked Microsoft Defender and inability to check the popular anti-malware forums or web pages, where the removal and file decryption guides are published. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to delete Cdaz ransomware and get the .cdaz files back.

How did Cdaz ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Cdaz virus creates a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by ransomware maintainers – people who manage the distribution of this virus. Another activity which is done by these crooks is answering the emails of victims, who wish to decrypt their files.

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 unreal to brute force it. As cipher analysts say, it will take more time than the Earth can estimate to exist, even when you use the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted documents, Cdaz 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

However, you can still open some of your documents. The Cdaz virus encrypts only the first 150 KB of each file, but the rest of this document can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are surely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best choice, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every file will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the video or music will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Cdaz ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was mentioned several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about encrypting the files. Cdaz virus makes the changes in your OS in order to prevent looking for the ransomware removal and file decryption guides. Malware does not create the software barrier – it just modifies the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Among the networking settings, the most changed item is the HOSTS configuration file. This text file contains the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the web browsers while sending a request to the server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain web page, your web browser will connect that site 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 virus are aimed at prevention of fast detection of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Cdaz ransomware implements several modifications in Group Policies – the system setting interface which gives you the right to modify the abilities of each application. In such a way, the virus blocks the Microsoft Defender and different other antivirus apps, and also prevents 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 programs as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable applications I mean programs that are already not updated by the developer and distributed through the third-party websites. These programs may be cracked, to make them possible to use without purchasing any license. Another example of such a program type is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

Such software may be distributed in many 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 most popular computer piracy websites. People use these sites to get various programs or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who hack these programs from adding malware of some type to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw targets, so their creators may easily add the malware under the guise of some program part.

These cracked apps, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and 100% the most widespread one for Cdaz ransomware. The best solution is to stop using of it, and not only because of virus injection risks. Avoiding the license buying is an outlaw action, and both hackers and persons who make use of hacked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Cdaz ransomware?

The Cdaz ransomware is pretty hard to wipe out manually. In fact, because of the number of changes it makes in your computer, it is almost impossible to spot them all and repair. The best solution is to make use of antivirus programs. But which one to choose?

You can spectate the advices to make use of Microsoft Defender, which is already in your computer. However, as it was mentioned before, most of STOP/Djvu malware examples block it even before the encryption procedure. Using the third-party application is the only option – and I can advice 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 recovery, that is heavily demanded after the Cdaz virus attack.

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

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

How to decrypt the .cdaz files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Cdaz malware attack. First one and the most popular is file decryption. It is performed with a special program, designed by Emsisoft, and named 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 Cdaz virus deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted 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. 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 .cdaz 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 .cdaz 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 remains of deleted files, and then tries 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